More arrests expected, as cops crack Planters Hall quadruple murder case

Forty-nine year-old Lester Harvey, 31-year-old Richard Wright, his 27-year-old brother Omar Wright, and a woman known only as Nordia Thomas were attacked and shot dead by a gang of armed thugs on December 11, 2020.

The heinous crime occurred about 1:30 am in Rhule Town district, which falls on the Clarendon side of Planters Hall, a quiet farming community five minutes’ drive north of Old Harbour square.

Initial reports suggest that about six men barged into two homes then occupied by the now deceased, killing them on the spot.

Numerous 9mm spent casings were retrieved from the bloody scene by investigators who collected several items that could help them solve the puzzle.

The Major Investigations Division (MID) of the constabulary were brought in to assist local investigators and it didn’t took them long to crack the case.

Less than two weeks after the brutal of slaying formal charges were laid against 19-year-old Kevroy Bailey, otherwise called ‘Fatta’ and 18-year-old Joshua Lynch, otherwise called ‘Jah’, both of Planters Hall, St. Catherine.

Lynch, who was listed as a person of interested immediately after the quadruple killing, has been on the police radar for some time now, Old Harbour News understands. He and Bailey “were arrested the day of the incident” but subsequently charged on December 22 after detectives compiled what they believed to be substantial evidence. 

“Both are charged with four counts of murder and illegal possession of firearm and ammunition,” a statement from the police said.

The motive

It is understood that both Lynch and Bailey are well known to the deceased men and have been seen among each other’s company on many occasions.

Investigators theorised, however, that the crime carried out, allegedly had to do with a drug deal that went wrong with Lynch and one of the Wright brothers among the main players.

The “lawmen are searching for other suspects involved in the murders and are appealing to anyone with information,” as the investigation gathers momentum.

“Having these two persons charged doesn’t bring a closure to the case itself,” said DSP Damion Manderson, commander in charge of the Old Harbour policing district. “We still have other persons in the area doing investigative door to door activities…

“We are confident (in making more arrests) it’s just a case of we cannot say when, but definitely, definitely there will be others (arrests).”

Speaking to Old Harbour News, DSP Manderson, who is also a member of the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB), attributed the quick breakthrough in the matter to residents feeling that their peace and security have been compromised.

“It’s a community that was upset about the breach of the peace and the quietness of their community. It has a lot more to do with that,” he said.

“Some persons fail to understand what makes peaceful society be peaceful society,” he adds. “It is not the military prowess or the deep intellect of the security forces, it’s because the citizens don’t want it.”