The murder trial of Wayne Bellafonte Jr., who is accused of killing two persons and injuring another during a late night shootout, has been pushed back to give his attorneys more time to prepare for the trial.
Appearing via video, link from Northward Prison’s secure unit, Bellafonte Jr. listened as his attorney Ben Tonner, KC, told the court an April 2023 trial date was unrealistic.
“There is a substantial amount of work that needs to be done to get this case to a stage of trial readiness,” said Tonner. “We have received partial disclosure of the prosecution’s case, which includes DNA and telephone evidence and gunshot residue evidence.
“As it is, we are not going to be in a position to be able to proceed with this trial, which is slated for 3 April.”
Justice Cheryll Richards, who presided over the hearing, accepted Tonner’s application to vacate the trial, which was not opposed by prosecutor Greg Walcolm.
Bellafonte Jr. faces two counts of murder in relation to the shooting deaths of Mark Andre Ebanks, 36, and Eldon Walton, 55, who were shot on 1 July 2021 outside the then Globe Bar on Martin Drive, George Town.
Bellafonte Jr. also faces a third count of attempted murder and one count of possession of an unlicensed firearm.
No new trial has been set, however the matter will return to court on 3 April for a mention’s hearing. Bellafonte Jr. has been remanded into custody.
Related Videos
