Lawyer for the accused, Oswest Senior-Smith, told Justice Carol Edwards that his client would not be applying for bail until a later date. The accused is set to reappear in court on February 19.

Security concerns

The case was shifted from the Brown's Town court, reportedly because of security concerns.

Reports are that dozens of persons converged on the Brown's Town courthouse on Wednesday morning in anticipation of the case, some calling for the accused to be handed over to them.

Allegations are that the accused and the deceased had a relationship which the deceased severed in December 2008. The accused allegedly invited the girl to his home, but instead met her on the way and dragged her into an abandoned building, where he stabbed her several times and slit her throat.

The accused later reported to the police that he and the girl were attacked by men, but he managed to escape. However, the police, after intensive investigations, charged the youth with the crime.

The prosecution submitted a caution statement to the court, allegedly made by the accused.

The prosecution also said a statement on the matter would be forthcoming.

The judge, however, questioned the absence of witnesses for the prosecution, stating that, for the act to have taken place between four and five in the afternoon, as being put forward by the prosecution, there must have been persons who saw the two together.

The age of the accused, who will be 18 on February 16, was also an issue. The presiding magistrate enquired of defence attorney, Senior-Smith, if the age of the accused would be taken as at the time of the alleged incident or at the start of trial on February 19.

Threatened in lockup

Senior-Smith said he would seek to obtain the necessary infor-mation. Meanwhile, Senior-Smith urged the judge to look at the matter of accommodation for the accused, who is being kept in the Ocho Rios Police Station's holding area.

Senior-Smith is alleging that his client was being threatened by others in custody in the main lockup.

The judge expressed satisfaction with the situation after the police told her the area was designed for holding juveniles. However, she stressed that the adolescent not be kept in the general lockup.

The accused showed little or no emotion as he was escorted in and out of the court room.