Two of the country’s more prominent attorneys were on Friday assigned by high court Judge Lorna Shelly-Williams to provide legal aid defence for Travis Ellis, the man charged with the December 2024 murder of retired veteran journalist Barbara Gayle.

Justice Shelly-Williams issued the assignment to Tom Tavares-Finson, King’s Counsel, and Donahue Martin Jr after Tavares-Finson made the recommendation when Ellis appeared in court for the first time since his arrest last month.

Tavares-Finson explained that he and Martin Jr had been retained as Ellis’s attorneys, but based on the defendant’s situation they had concluded that he was not in a position to afford their legal services.

“Today we received disclosure and the court would have heard some of the aspects. The only thing I would say is that, as we begin to make an assessment of the continuation of events, in furtherance of the constitutional right that every individual be represented by counsel, we ask that you order an inquiry as to whether Mr Ellis is entitled to legal aid,” Tavares-Finson told the judge.

After the court sitting, Martin Jr told the Jamaica Observer that, given the fact that other attorneys have indicated that they will not be representing Ellis, as a matter of principle he and Tavares-Finson will represent him “because all Jamaicans should be afforded the right of an attorney”.

“The judge said she will make it a legal aid assignment. We haven’t assessed the matter as yet, but as soon as we assess the matter we will determine the way forward. We want Jamaica to understand that no matter what you are accused of, you are entitled to representation. All persons are innocent until proven guilty.”

Ellis’s case was initially scheduled to be called up in the St Catherine Parish Court but was transferred to the Home Circuit Court in Kingston on a voluntary bill of indictment.

He is indicted on two counts of robbery with aggravation and murder.

The prosecution indicated in court on Friday that it will be seeking the death penalty in the matter.

The prosecution also indicated that its file was incomplete as it was awaiting documents crucial to the case. Documents and items outstanding include the scene of crime compact disc, a statement from the scene of crime officer, a report as it relates to the phone of the deceased, as well as video footage extracted from various people at the location.

The Crown is also awaiting a statement from the arresting officer, a biology certificate, DNA results as it relates to buccal swabs taken from Ellis, and a report from a technician in relation to closed-circuit television footage from the scene.

Looking directly at Ellis while he was seated in the prisoners’ dock, Justice Shelly-Williams said, “Stand up for me please, Mr Ellis. The police are going to take your fingerprints in relation to this matter. The matter is set for you to return on the 26th of May 2025. You are remanded in custody until then. You are going to have a psychiatric evaluation done. Mr Ellis has to be transferred to Tower Street Correctional Services so he can be evaluated. You are remanded in custody until the 26th of May 2025.”

Gayle, who covered court and legal matters for The Gleaner for more than 50 years, was murdered on December 16 at her house in the gated community of Caymanas Country Club Estate, Phase One in St Catherine. She was stabbed multiple times and her head bashed in by her killer. Her Mercedes Benz GLE motor vehicle and cellphone were taken.

Hours after news broke about Gayle’s killing, Ellis was seen driving her motor vehicle in the community of Gulf in Portmore, St Catherine. He reportedly gave conflicting stories about how he acquired the vehicle and was beaten and chased from the community by residents.

“Him tell some people that him rent the Benz and him tell others that a him rich uncle buy it for him,” one
Observer source shared.

On December 18, after an intense manhunt for Gayle’s killer, cops found her motor vehicle abandoned in a heavily forested area along Dyke Road in Portmore. Hours later Ellis was caught hiding in bushes nearby. He was arrested and, after allegedly confessing to the murder, was charged.