Tyre repairman offered bail for bludgeoning man to death with stone

WESTERN BUREAU:

A ST James-based tyre repairman, who allegedly used a stone to beat another man to death during a confrontation on January 14, was offered bail in the sum of $800,000 when he appeared in the St James Parish Court on Wednesday.

Oppley Ebanks, of a Montego Bay address, is charged with murder in relation to the death of 40-yearold labourer Santino Plummer of a Lilliput address.

In applying for bail on Ebanks’ behalf on Wednesday, his lawyer Jermaine Campbell told presiding parish judge Sasha-Marie Ashley that based on the allegations, the defendant was defending himself and a woman from Plummer at the time of the incident.

“The defence, which is obvious based on the allegation, is one based on self defence and in defence of another,” Campbell commented.

“The prosecution are saying that the threat was averted, and after that it was excessive force,” Judge Ashley pointed out, referencing the reason for the prosecution’s opposition to bail for Ebanks.

“I am not privy as to the statements on the Crown’s file. However, I note the caution statement that was given … the circumstances under which he [Ebanks] was apprehended, they are all in his favour, because the night he was apprehended, he was on his way to the police with the female he was trying to defend,” Campbell answered, noting that the defendant had no previous convictions.

However, the prosecution read excerpts from a statement identified as having been given to the police by Ebanks’ girlfriend, in which it was claimed that Ebanks approached Plummer with a stone to in his hand, and that he hit the nowdeceased with the stone before trying flee the scene. It was also disclosed that the post-mortem report is currently outstanding, along with other documents for the case file.

STOP-ORDER ISSUED

Following further discussions, Judge Ashley offered bail to Ebanks in the sum of $800,000 with two sureties, and ordered him to report to the police four times a week. He was also ordered to surrender his travel documents, and a stop-order was issued for all ports of entry to keep him from leaving the country.

The matter is set to return for mention on April 18.

According to the allegations, on January 14 at about 11:30 p.m., Plummer went to a football field to conduct a business transaction. While there, an argument reportedly developed between him and a woman, in which Ebanks intervened.

The confrontation between the two men turned physical, during which Ebanks allegedly used a stone to strike Plummer. The police were summoned, and on their arrival, Plummer was seen lying face down in blood with a wound to the head.

Ebanks, who was seen running from the scene, was chased and held by the lawmen. He was taken into custody and formally charged after a question-and-answer session.