Judge demands DNA certificate in MoBay murder case
Published:Saturday | January 25, 2025 | 4:10 AMChristopher Thomas/Gleaner Writer
WESTERN BUREAU:
High Court Justice Judith Pusey has ordered that a DNA certificate in the case against murder accused Toussaint ‘Dada’ Lewis must be ready for his appearance before the St James Circuit Court on May 14.
Lewis, who is represented by attorney-at-law Charles Sinclair, is before the court on several charges stemming from the 2020 murder of Renor Anderson. He is charged in the case, alongside Andre ‘Little Zulus’ Reid, with murder, illegal possession of firearm, and wounding with intent.
Lewis was ordered remanded when he appeared in court on Thursday.
During the case’s brief mention, the court was told that several documents, including the DNA certificate, were outstanding from the prosecution’s case file. It was also disclosed that there is currently an issue regarding the identification of Lewis as the defendant in the matter.
The revelation did not sit well with Pusey, who pointed out that the matter is at least three years old and that Lewis, who has a separate criminal charge for which he is before the court by himself, has not been granted bail since he was taken into custody.
“This is a matter from 2021, and the DNA would help with the identification. I am going to beg you to deal with this because the time has flown, and the bird has gone out of the coop … . Samples are to be taken in relation to both matters [for which Lewis is charged],” Pusey told the court officer before setting the May mention date.
Pusey also issued a bench warrant for Reid, who is currently on bail but was absent from Thursday’s sitting without explanation. She stayed the warrant’s execution until May 14 after attorney Sinclair outlined Reid’s previous good attendance record at court.
Lewis and Reid were arrested and charged following the death of Anderson on September 11, 2020.
According to reports, Anderson was watching a friend’s roadside vending stall in Catherine Hall, St James, when he was approached and shot in the head and upper body. The attackers then made their escape in a waiting Nissan motorcar.
A team of police officers, who were on patrol in the area, gave chase, and the gunmen crashed their vehicle. A gun battle ensued, during which Lewis and Reid were shot and injured. Two other men, who were in their vehicle, made good their escape.
It was also reported at the time that Lewis and Reid had only recently been released from detention under a state of emergency in place at the time.