Accused mayor chopper granted $300,000 bail
ST MARY, Jamaica — The man accused of attacking and chopping St Ann Mayor Michael Belnavis in the head early last year has been granted bail after previously being denied.
Thirty-four-year-old Chad Thomas of Ramble in Oracabessa, St Mary, was offered bail in the sum of $300,000 when he appeared in the Port Maria Parish Court on Thursday.
Thomas is facing charges of housebreaking, wounding with intent and malicious destruction of property in relation to the incident.
The court heard that Thomas, who has been in custody since the alleged attack, is to return on July 9. The bail application was made by his attorney, Charles “Advoket” Ganga-Singh.
According to police reports, the incident occurred on the night of January 20, 2025, at a property owned by Mayor Belnavis in Boscobel, St Mary, which was under construction at the time.
Investigators say the mayor visited the premises and noticed a television light on inside the building. Upon checking, he reportedly saw a man later identified as Thomas sitting on a couch. The mayor is said to have recognised him from prior sightings but did not know his name.
It is alleged that when Belnavis ordered the man to leave, Thomas attacked him with a machete, inflicting several wounds to his head and hands.
During the confrontation, Thomas was shot and injured. He was later found by police a short distance from the property and was taken into custody.
The charges were laid following an identification parade conducted.
