Rushawn Patterson, the man charged with the murder of social media influencer Aneka ‘Slickianna’ Townsend has been denied bail.

The accused appeared in the St James Circuit court today (March 21) and reports are that the presiding judge Justice Andrea Thomas denied bail on the basis that Patterson is a flight risk. The judge also said that because of his history, if given bail, he might not appear in court.

Patterson was also arrested for a separate matter in 2018. Reports from the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) are that he allegedly kidnapped and assaulted his ex-girlfriend who managed to escape and reported the incident. He was awarded bail for the 2018 incident and did not show up in court.

The bail application was made by the Patterson’s new attorney, Dionne Meyler Barrett, who claimed that her client has two medical condition and was not a flight risk. However, despite these claims he was not awarded bail, because Justice Thomas said there is significant evidence.

The body of Townsend was found floating at Reading in St James on October 21 last year by beachgoers in the area, and retrieved by the Marine Police.

Reports from the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) are that the pair were at a guest house when a fight between the two resulted in Patterson strangling Townsend.

Patterson was arrested on November 2 after police captured him at a guest house in St James.

Also charged in relation to Townsend’s murder is Rohan Rose. Rose is charged with misprision of a felony, which means he knew about the murder of Townsend, but failed to report it to the police.

A new trial date of April 26 has been set for Rose.