IN JAMAICA: Man charged with murder in Runaway Bay slapped with second murder charge

Posted 9/13/14

Six months after a cruise ship worker was found murdered inside his home in Runaway Bay, St. Ann, investigators have made a breakthrough into the murder. Police yesterday (September 11) charged a St. James chef for the murder of 46 year old Wegon David Bennett of Belle Air in Runaway Bay.

Charged with murder is Junior Whyte of St. James. Whtye is also charged with robbery with aggravation after several items were reportedly stolen from Bennet's house.

Whyte is also facing another murder and robbery with aggravation charge. Police had earlier charged Whyte in relation to the murder of 41 year old Dwight Ashall who was also found murdered inside his house at Mt. Edgecombe also in Runaway Bay.

Another man, Shawn Thompson is charged jointly with Whyte in relation to Ashall’s murder. According to the police, it was while investigating Ashall's murder that a connection was made to Bennet's murder, which led to Whyte being charged.

Police say another suspect is also being questioned in relation to Bennet's murder and charges are likely soon.

Whyte and his co accused were taken into custody on August 8 after they reportedly led police to the mutilated body of Ashall at his home.

Both Thompson and Whyte appeared before Resident Magistrate Vaughn Facey in the St. Ann's Bay Resident Magistrates Court in relation to Dwight Ashall’s murder.They were remanded until October 1 when that case against them will again be mentioned.

Investigators say their probe is continuing and the case file is incomplete. Whyte will also appear before the court on October 1 in relation to Bennett's murder. Bennett's body was discovered on March 11, about 3:55 p.m. by his daughter who was returning home from school. His body was reportedly found in a bathroom with the hands and feet bound.