Judge in 'Beachy Stout' case to consider reinstating bail for co-accused

Oscar Barnes, the co-accused in the murder of Portland businessman Everton 'Beachy Stout' McDonald's second wife Tonia, will find out on Monday if his bail conditions will be reinstated. 

The 33-year-old St Mary tiler who married his American beloved in a private ceremony on Sunday, had his bail revoked when he turned up the next day for the start of the trial in the Home Circuit Court.

He had been on bail since last February.

However, his attorney-at-law Earnest Davies yesterday after made an application for the judge to reconsider his decision in revoking Barnes' bail.

Presiding Judge Chester Stamp will do so on Monday.

This after Judge Stamp discharged two jurors who had insurmountable challenges, affecting their abilities to serve throughout the two-month trial. He ordered that a new jury be empanelled on Monday.

This will result in a re-start of the trial, with the first witness taking the stand anew. The other five members who were a part of the jury were also released from the case.

Davis in his application submitted that it would be unfair for his client to remain in custody given the new circumstances. He also told the judge that Barnes has not spent “even a second” with his new bride.

Barnes is jointly charged with McDonald for the July 2020 murder of the businessman's second wife Tonia Hamilton-McDonald. Her partially burnt body was found with the throat slashed beside her burnt car along the Sherwood Forest main road.

- Tanesha Mundle

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