By LAMECH JOHNSON
Tribune Staff Reporter
ljohnson@tribunemedia.net
A JET ski operator appeared in Magistrates Court yesterday accused of committing the country’s second murder for 2014 and for twice trying to kill the victim’s friend, who was shot at on New Year’s night, and again three months later.
In the first of two arraignments before Magistrate Saboula Swain of court no. 11, Daran Neely, 24, faced charges of murder and attempted murder. He was not required to enter a plea.
It is alleged that on January 1 he intentionally caused the death of Jason Clarke. He was also charged with attempting to cause the death of Clarke’s friend, Michael Preval.
On the night in question, the deceased with Preval were sitting in front of an apartment complex on Buttonwood Avenue, Pinewood Gardens, when the occupants of a vehicle pulled up and fired several shots at them before speeding off.
Clarke received multiple gunshot wounds and was pronounced dead at the scene while Preval was taken to hospital and treated for a leg wound.
In the second arraignment, Neely was further charged with 24-year-old Rashad Laroda of attempted murder in an April 17 shooting that sent Preval back to hospital.
The accused men were not required to enter a plea to this charge.
They were also informed that they will appear before Chief Magistrate Joyann Ferguson-Pratt on May 19 to be given a date for their case to be fast-tracked by a Voluntary Bill of Indictment for a Supreme Court trial.
They were remanded to Her Majesty’s Prison. Neely has retained Tai Pinder to defend him, while Laroda is represented by Shaka Serville.
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