MURDERED IN HIS YARD: John Napier

BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – JADELL BROWNE of St. Peter's was formally charged with the murders of John Napier of Milliken Estate and Sylvester Harris of Upper Monkey Hill.

The accused, who was previously misreported as Jervan Browne, was also slapped with a charge of wounding with intent for his attack on Wilfred Simmonds, also of Upper Monkey Hill.

Around 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 25, Browne approached Napier while he was in his yard, borrowed a machete from him and chopped the 75-year-old on the head. He then went to Parray’s Housing and stabbed 52-year-old Simmonds in his garden.

Thirty-seven-year-old Harris was the next victim of Browne’s attack, receiving multiple stab wounds in the back of his head and neck.

Napier was pronounced dead on the scene by the district medical doctor. Both Simmonds and Harris were taken to the Joseph N. France Hospital, where the latter passed away less than an hour later.

Browne was arrested and taken into police custody shortly after the incident and is currently imprisoned. A press release from Police Press and Public Relations Officer Inspector Vaughan Henderson sought to firmly dispel the rumour that Browne had escaped police custody and was at large.

“I want to make it categorically clear that the claim that [Browne] has escaped police custody is a rumour and it is ludicrous and malicious. I will like to take this opportunity to implore those members of the general public to desist from making false and malicious statements with the sole intention of instilling fear and creating instability among the populace.”

He added: “Criminal investigations are challenging enough, unnecessary distractions will only serve to undermine the valiant efforts of the police and other security forces.”

The double homicide marked the 25th such incident in the Federation for 2009, the highest number ever recorded in St. Kitts-Nevis.