The trial of the murder matter for Andre Thomas, accused of brutally killing two United States missionaries in 2016 in St Mary, was officially handed over to jurors for deliberation Thursday morning in the Supreme Court.

Before the case was handed over, presiding judge Justice Leighton Pusey advised the seven jurors on aspects of the law that are relevant to the matter, as well as certain points to consider.

Harold Nichols, 53, and Randy Hentzel, 49, were missionaries for the Pennsylvania-based Teams for Medical Missions. They went missing on Saturday, April 30, 2016 after leaving their Tower Isle, St Mary, homes on motorcycles to visit a site where they would be doing charity work the following week.

When they did not return, a search party later that day discovered Hentzel’s body lying face down, his green helmet still over his head, with his arms bound “tightly” behind his back by a piece of cloth torn from the green T-shirt in which he was clad. Nichols’ body was found some distance away on the Sunday afternoon.

Thomas was first arrested, then Dwight Henry, who later took a plea deal, pleaded guilty to the murders and was sentenced to life in prison. Henry will not be eligible for parole before serving 28 years. He was a key witness for the Crown.

“You can believe all of what a witness says, part of what a witness says or none of what a witness says,” Justice Pusey advised.

He also advised jurors of the definition of murder, which is a deliberate unlawfully killing of another person.

At the same time, the judge also explained that the jurors, in coming to a decision about Thomas’ guilt, should not hold any prejudice or bias for the defendant or the relatives of the deceased persons who had testified.

Justice Pusey added that the jury will have to decide beyond a reasonable doubt if Thomas was an active and willing participant in committing the murders along with Henry.

“When I say he had the intention to kill, he must know that his actions would have caused death or serious injury. When I say participate in the injury, he doesn’t have to be someone who actually shot or chopped anyone. If he tried to tie up somebody, if he helped to stop them and chase them down, that would be sufficient,” Justice Pusey said.

During the four weeks-long trial, the Crown had called 23 witnesses to support its case, the defence only called Thomas, who gave an unsworn statement on Tuesday that despite observing the murders, he did not participate in the killings.

Thomas is represented by veteran defence counsel, Leroy Equiano.

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-Candice Haughton