Within a one-week period, Grenada recorded its third murder for the year.
The latest victim is 22-year old Micah Jimson Charles, alias Monkey who died following chop wounds he received in the area of his face and neck in Coals Gap, St. David's on Valentine's Night, February 14 at around 9:00 p.m.
Two suspects, Kevon Bishop a 19 year old resident of Malmount and Lealon Charles age 20 of Coals Gap have been jointly charged for the murder of Monkey.
The killing arose out of a confrontation between Monkey and another man over the consumption of Kentucky Fried Chicken.
The dead man claimed to be a member of the rastafarian community, a movement that denounces the eating of animal flesh including chicken.
An informed source told GRENADA TODAY that Charles and the man were engaged in a scuffle on a bridge in Coals Gap.
According to the source, the deceased went away from the scene but returned shortly with a cutlass which he used to deliver a blow to the man, identified as a machine operator by profession.
There are reports that the man who was beaten was taken away from the area by his father.
He was later approached by another relative who reported to him that he too received some strokes with the cutlass from Monkey.
The source who spoke on condition that he was not identified said both men, each armed with a cutlass planned to ambush Monkey in an area that he usually pass to get to his home.
GRENADA TODAY was told that on seeing Monkey the men confronted on him on the reason for hitting them earlier with the cutlass.
Monkey is alleged to have tried to chop one of them but missed.
One of the two men then allegedly delivered one deadly blow to Monkey, cutting him on the left side The two suspects made their first court appearance at the St. David's Magistrate's Court on Monday before Magistrate Oforiwa Augustine.
They were remanded into custody at the Richmond Hill prison until March 10.
During their court appearance, the police took another rather strange decision to try and prevent the media from getting close to the murder suspects to take their photographs.
Under the command of Sergeant 212 St. John Stafford of the Rapid Response Unit of the Special Services Unit, close access to the court house was cordoned off from people who were deemed to "have no matters to do with the court." Although this did not affect the media, a strategy was implemented to keep them at bay from being able to take photograph of the two accused men.
The media became suspicious of the police operations when a van that transported Bishop from the Grenville Police Station in St. Andrew's was directed to proceed to the back of the adjourning St. David's Police Station where the accused was dropped off.
The media attempted to follow the van, but were stopped in their tracks.
A member of the Rapid Response Unit pointed out to them that there was a demarkation line in place which they should not cross.
Sgt. Stafford was then approached by a GRENADA TODAY Reporter to find out why they had taken that particular action against the media.
"I am just carrying out the instructions that have been handed down to me", he replied without giving details.
It is not clear whether the police are acting on instructions from the High Command or doing their own thing.
However, one police investigator involved in the murder case said that he is baffled over the action of his colleagues.
He said he could not understand why the media were not granted the opportunity to take out the photographs of the two murder suspects.
The officers in attendance followed the same procedure and removed the suspects from the court house by having them exit through the back and whisking them away into two vans.
Meanwhile, the man accused of committing the Independence Day Murder in New Hampshire, St. George's is due to return to court for the second time on March 4 in anticipation of the start of the preliminary inquiry into the death of fellow villager, Ian Whiteman.
Eugene Bartholomew, alias Scabby, is accused of murdering the 30-year old Whiteman following a confrontation he had with brother of the deceased, Nelon Whiteman.
Whiteman allegedly received stab wounds from an apparatus from an AK Rifle to the upper left side of his back by Bartholomew.
The murder suspect who was warded at the General Hospital for almost one week as a result of stab wounds he received from the younger Whiteman was finally brought to the Number One St. George's Magistrate's Court last week Friday where the charge of murder was read to him by the Chief Magistrate, Patricia Mark.
Also making his court appearance on that same day was the 29-year old Nelon Whiteman who is facing a charge of causing grievous harm to Bartholomew.
Whiteman is accused of stabbing Bartholomew on his chest.
Police Prosecutor Vannie Curwen objected to bail being granted to Whiteman on the grounds that he had two previous convictions of a similar nature.
He said that Whiteman can be considered as a danger and threat to society.
He was remanded to custody at the Richmond Hill Prison, and is also due to return to court on March 4.
Magistrate Mark advised him that he has the option of applying to a judge in Chambers for bail.
