DUNCANS, Trelawny — The trial continues today of Javan Garwood, who has been accused of having a hand in the murder of his stepmother, 51-year-old banker Andrea Lowe Garwood, as she worshipped at church in 2021. He pleaded not guilty when he appeared in the Trelawny Circuit Court on Monday but his co-accused Dwight Bingham pleaded guilty and will be sentenced on July 25. Bingham was the triggerman.

Lowe Garwood’s January 31 murder shocked the nation as details emerged of congregants running for cover when shots rang out inside what would usually be considered a safe space — Agape Christian Fellowship Church in Falmouth, Trelawny.

The prosecutor told the court on Monday that as the 51-year-old banker worshipped, Bingham — also known as Prince — entered and took a seat behind her. He pulled a gun and shot her four times as she stood, along with other churchgoers. She later died while undergoing treatment at Falmouth Public General Hospital.

The court also heard that as the shooter ran from the church a cellular phone fell from him. He was spotted entering a white Toyota Allion motorcar.

Bingham was later taken into custody where he shared information about Lowe Garwood’s slaying with his cellmate, who passed on details to the police. Acting on that information, police went to Bingham’s house where a T-shirt and cap, fitting eyewitness accounts of what the shooter was wearing, were found in the garage. Bingham, who is from Rose Heights in St James, was subsequently charged. He was represented at his trial by attorney-at-law Donovan Collins.

Now Garwood is facing charges of murder and accessory before the fact. He is being represented by attorney Khadine Coleman, who will argue her case before Chief Justice Bryan Sykes. A seven-member jury has been empanelled for the trial.

Garwood is the third person dragged before the court in connection with Lowe Garwood’s murder. In March 2021, getaway driver, 23-year-old Leon Hines was sentenced to six years in prison for his involvement in the crime. This after he turned Crown witness and agreed to provide evidence against both his co-accused.

Originally charged with murder, illegal possession of firearm, accessory before the fact to murder, accessory after the fact to murder, conspiracy to murder, and misprision of felony, Hines eventually pleaded guilty to illegal possession of firearm and accessory after the fact to murder.