The Tribune

By LAMECH JOHNSON

Tribune Staff Reporter

ljohnson@tribunemedia.net

A MAN awaiting trial on a murder charge was granted bail in the Supreme Court yesterday.

Axanthio Thompson, 28, appeared before Senior Justice Stephen Isaacs for a bail application that was argued by his lawyer Wayne Munroe, QC.

Thompson awaits prosecution concerning the November, 2014, murder of Loren Jermaine Rolle, who was shot and killed in front of a home in Yellow Elder Gardens.

Thompson, who maintains his innocence, had applied for bail before initial trial judge Justice Bernard Turner in September, 2015. However, the court had rejected the application on the grounds that there had been no unreasonable delay in his case that was to be heard on May 23, 2016.

Mr Munroe yesterday said that his client’s case did not commence on that date and has since been adjourned to October, 2017, nearly three years after his initial arraignment in connection with the matter.

The veteran attorney said there was no danger or concern for his client interfering with witnesses in the case as the Crown was only relying on one whose identity has been sealed by the courts.

Ambrose Armbrister, objecting to the application on behalf of the Crown, said there had been no material change in circumstance to warrant the grant of bail.

He also said that the new trial date fell within the 36 months range set by the amended Bail Act for what range constitutes trial within a reasonable time.

Senior Justice Isaacs said he would exercise his discretion to grant bail in the sum of $20,000 with a suretor.

In addition to reporting to the Airport Police Station twice a week, Thompson also will be electronically monitored, a condition to which he did not object.