Gareth Davis, Gleaner Writer
Port Antonio, Portland:
The two male suspects charged with the murder
of former World Boxing Council (WBC) heavyweight champion,Trevor Berbick, were yesterday remanded, when they appeared in the Buff Bay Resident Magistrate's Court in Portland.
They are 20-year-old Harold Berbick, nephew of the deceased, and 18-year-old Kenton Gordon, both of a Norwich district address. The men were charged shortly before midnight, Thursday, after being interrogated by the police.
Second Murder Weapon
Senior Detective Sergeant Kenneth Bailey, of the Port Antonio Criminal Investigative Branch (CIB), told the court that the two men had confessed to the murder during the interrogation. He added that the two also assisted the police in locating a second murder weapon, a crowbar, on Monday, October 30.
It has also been alleged that, on
the night of October 27, the former champion was partying with friends in his hometown district of Norwich, closely watched by the two men. Several eyewitnesses, including a proprietor of one of the night-spots, claimed the former champion left for home between the hours of 2:30 and 3:30a.m. Saturday.
The boxer's body was discovered about 5:00 a.m. Saturday by a church Deacon, who had gone to open the doors of the Church of God Chapel, which is in close proximity to the boxer's house. The body was found lying face down in a pool of blood with four chop wounds to the head.
Time To Review Case
Attorney-at-law, Carl McDonald, who represented Berbick's nephew, asked the presiding judge, Andrea Collins, for more time to review his clients case. The other man was not represented and the two are booked to reappear in the Buff Bay Resident Magistrate's Court on November 7.
In the meantime, residents in Norwich district are still trying to come to terms with the brutal killing. Many remain firm that the full weight of the law should not be spared, nor compromised, as a message needs to be sent to those who indulge in crime and violence.
Berbick, who was 52 years-old when he was brutally murdered, holds the distinction of being the last boxer to fight and defeat the legendary Mohammed Ali.
