Late start delays stepson’s trial for murder of Lowe-Garwood
Published:Tuesday | July 11, 2023 | 12:14 AMChristopher Thomas/Gleaner Writer -
WESTERN BUREAU:
JAVAN GARWOOD, the man accused of being involved in the January 2021 shooting death of his stepmother, Andrea Lowe-Garwood, is expected to face the Trelawny Circuit Court for the resumption of his trial following yesterday’s deferment of the matter due to a late start.
Chief Justice Bryan Sykes, the presiding judge overseeing Garwood's trial, made the order yesterday afternoon after the matter was reached on the court’s case-list shortly after 4 p.m. Garwood was consequently remanded until this morning.
It is understood that Garwood’s case was delayed during yesterday’s proceedings due to the scheduled hearing of a sexual offence case.
As a result, when Garwood’s matter was eventually called up, no evidence was taken from any of the prosecution's witnesses in his trial.
Garwood is on trial on the charges of murder and conspiracy to murder in relation to the death of Lowe-Garwood, a 51-year-old banker, who was shot and killed on January 31, 2021, in an incident that made national headlines.
At the time of her death, Lowe-Garwood was worshipping at the Agape Christian Fellowship Church in Falmouth, Trelawny, when she was shot by a man who was reportedly sitting in the pew behind her.
The gunman subsequently escaped in a waiting motorcar while panicked worshippers were scampering for cover.
Lowe-Garwood was transported to the Falmouth General Public Hospital where she died while being treated.
It was subsequently reported that, prior to her murder, Lowe-Garwood had been receiving threats from the family of her late husband, Jeffrey Garwood.
Javan Garwood, who is represented by attorney Khadine Colman and had pleaded not guilty when he appeared in court on July 3, was one of three men who were later arrested in connection with the killing.
The other two men were Leon Hines, the driver of the getaway car, and Dwight Bingham, the reported triggerman.
Hines, who previously pleaded guilty to illegal possession of a firearm and being an accessory after the fact, was sentenced to six years in prison on March 25, 2021 as part of a plea deal.
It is expected that he will be among several witnesses who prosecutors are expected to call in presenting their case against Garwood.
Bingham pleaded guilty to the charges of murder and illegal possession of a firearm when he appeared in court on July 3 alongside Garwood. He is to be sentenced on July 25.