The bail hearing for Rushawn Patterson, one of the men charged in relation to the murder of Aneka ‘Slickianna’ Townsend has been pushed to March of next year.

Patterson was expected to have his hearing today (December 15) before the St James Home Circuit Court. But when the matter was brought up, the court said there were outstanding documents from the prosecution’s case file.

The outstanding documents include a DNA comparison report, a forensic certificate in relation to Patterson’s motor vehicle and an additional witness statement.

As such, presiding judge, Justice Andrea Thomas, said the hearing would be pushed to March 9, 2023 and Patterson remanded until then.

Patterson was formerly charged for the murder of Townsend on November 11, based on forensic evidence gathered by the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF).

Patterson’s co-accused, Rohan Rose, the 47-year-old security guard who was charged with misprision of a felony in relation to Townsend’s murder, was granted bail when he appeared for his hearing on November 28.

The conditions of his bail require him to put up J$500,000 and report to the Lucea Police Station in St James three times weekly. His travel documents were also seized, to ensure he does not flee the country.

Facts of the case

Townsend’s body was found floating at Reading, St James on October 21.

Reports from the JCF are that Townsend visited Patterson in St James on October 20. The pair went to a restaurant then later made their way to a guest house.

Then, an argument took place between the two that resulted in Patterson strangling Townsend to death.

A post mortem examination was conducted on November 5 that determined that Townsend was murdered between 11:00 pm on October 20 and 9:00 am on October 21.