Son hacked to death for murdering St James farmer

Residents in the Williamsfield district of Johns Hall,

St James, remained in disbelief yesterday over the murder of 72-year-old road construction worker and farmer, Owen 'Bill' James.

James' decomposing body was discovered in a shallow grave behind his house on Monday.

He is believed to have been killed and buried weeks ago by his estranged 19-year-old son, Duvaine, who was mobbed and chopped to death in the area following the discovery.

On a visit to the community yesterday, some residents told The Gleaner that they got concerned when the elder James was not seen or heard from for weeks.

During that time, when residents questioned Duvaine about his father's whereabouts, he would tell them that he was away working.

"Mi see him with Bill phone and him (the son) seh him father give him it and buy a new phone and SIM. We ask for the new number and he give us a number. When we call, a lady would answer," explained one resident, who requested anonymity.

SON questioned, THEN RELEASED

He, along with others, said that on Monday, the elder James' brother took the Spring Mount police to the house and the son was arrested when he could not give an account of his father's whereabouts.

The young man was reportedly questioned and released the same day.

Residents, however, were not satisfied, and followed Duvaine up to the one-bedroom board dwelling. It is reported that they held on to him and began searching the premises where not long after they discovered Owen's body in the grave.

Duvaine was then attacked and hacked to death by the irate residents before the police could arrive on the scene.

"Bill didn't deserve that. He was everybody's friend. He was the only man who talk to the youths them and him always smiling and hard-working," said one man.

Up to press time, no one had been arrested for Duvaine's killing, nor had his father's decomposing body been removed from the grave.