MONTEGO BAY, St James — A defence lawyer’s motion for a no-case submission in the trial of Shamar Brown, who is accused of murder in relation to the death of a graphic artist, has been rejected.

Brown is being tried for the September 13, 2024 murder of 20-year-old Ronaldinho Headley, otherwise called Mike, of Hurlock district in St James.

Presiding judge Kaysha Grant-Pryce issued the ruling on Wednesday when the case came before the St James Parish Court. She concluded that there is enough evidence for a trial.

In arguing for the matter to be thrown out, defence attorney Henry McCurdy had asserted that he could not find anything on the prosecution’s case file linking his client to the crime.

However, Grant-Pryce cited a witness statement in which Brown was seen running from the direction of a shop with another man, both holding guns.

“I am assuming the Crown is relying on circumstantial evidence because it was right there that he [witness] heard the gunshots and he saw them running from the shop right where he was with guns in their hands,” the judge stated.

However, McCurdy again countered that the statement contained no evidence linking his client to the case and expressed his belief that if the case goes to Circuit Court it will not result in any significant progress.

“There is no prima facie case, and you cannot assume in a court of law,” the lawyer added.

In her response, the court clerk cited the witness’ statement, which indicated that Brown and another person were seen running with firearms, while Headley was discovered on the ground with blood coming from his body. She argued that these details, taken together, constitute substantial evidence linking Brown to the crime scene.

“Based on the sequence of events, it would appear that Mr Brown is the one who is responsible for the death of Mr Headley,” the clerk said.

Judge Grant-Pryce then questioned the investigating officer about the rationale for bringing the accused man to court.

The officer explained that a murder had occurred in the same community on the same night, involving individuals closely associated with Brown, and that Headley was at home with his father at the time of the incident. According to the officer, shots were fired, after which Headley received a call and went outside. The officer stated that more shots were heard, and Brown and another man were seen fleeing the area where the shots were heard.

In response, the judge stated that the close proximity of the two murders and the circumstances surrounding them were sufficient grounds to transfer the matter to the High Court.

The defendant was then granted fresh bail in the amount of $800,000 with two sureties and reporting obligations. The case was committed to the Circuit Court for mention on February 18.

According to the allegations, about 8:30 pm residents in Hurlock, St James, heard explosions and alerted the lawmen.

They found Headley on a road in the community with gunshot wounds.

He was taken to hospital where he died.

Judge Grant-Pryce described the case as sad, as it came to light that the first victim was slain by someone who was widely believed to be Headley’s brother — even though the brother was confirmed to be overseas at the time of the crime — and then Headley was killed.