KINGSTON, Jamaica—The trial for Portland businessman Everton “Beachy Stout” McDonald in relation to the murder of his first wife, Marlene McDonald has been adjourned to January 27, 2027.

The trial was to begin on Monday before Justice Leighton Pusey in the Home Circuit Court in downtown, Kingston.

However, prosecutors asked for an adjournment, to allow them to serve documents in relation to a section 31D(a) application.

Additionally, the Crown indicated that it may change the witnesses on the indictment, which was opposed by McDonald’s defence team. Based on the objection, a ruling will have to be given and that is expected on May 15 when the matter returns to court.

McDonald is represented by Monique Scott, Anna Kaye Scott-James and John Jacobs.

READ: April 2026 trial date for ‘Beachy Stout’ in murder of first wife

McDonald’s first wife, Marlene, was shot dead outside her home in Boundbrook, Portland, in 2009. He was charged for the crime – a cold case at the time – after being implicated in the killing of his second wife, Tonia.

McDonald and co-convict Oscar Barnes, were sentenced to life in prison in September 2024 for the 2020 killing of Tonia.

Tonia was gruesomely murdered on July 20, 2020 on the main road in Sherwood Forest in Portland. She was stabbed repeatedly, her throat slashed, and the Toyota Axio motor car she was driving, along with her body, burned.

McDonald, who was Tonia’s husband at the time of her murder, was arrested and charged with the killing. Oscar Barnes was later arrested.

READ: Wife killer Beachy Stout, co-accused sentenced to life in prison