By Latrishka Thomas
Earlsfield “Earlfred” James’ murder trial was short-lived as, on the second day – Wednesday — the Upper Fort Road man decided to plead guilty to manslaughter by way of provocation.
On Tuesday, James and his co-accused Clarence Thomas began hearing testimony on the 2018 murder of 31-year old Kemmoy Jeffers, also of Upper Fort Road.
According to police, Jeffers’ body, clad only in a pair of grey short pants, was discovered lying on the ground near a house on Fort Road around 11pm on April 27, 2018.
A couple of witnesses gave evidence to the effect that they were just a few feet away when they saw James beating a man while saying “a de wrong house he come inna”.
An Emergency Medical Technician said that he arrived on the scene of the crime and found an unresponsive man bound with rope around his neck and left leg.
On Wednesday, the Dominican national capitulated and decided to admit to the lesser crime of manslaughter before Justice Stanley John.
His co-accused, Thomas, will therefore continue to stand trial for murder, while James awaits his sentencing on February 26.