Accused priest-killer for prelim

The man, who is charged with killing an Anglican rector at his home in Stony Hill, St. Andrew, is to return to court on January 17, when a preliminary enquiry into the matter should begin.

The bail for Prince Vale, the man accused of the murder of Anglican priest, Richard Johnson, was extended when his case was mentioned on Wednesday. The clerk of court indicated that the file had been completed and so the case was set for a preliminary enquiry.

Vale was granted bail last month after his lawyer told the court that his client was defending himself after the priest made sexual advances at him.

Vale, 22, turned himself in to the police on November 13. He was later charged with murder.

The allegations against Vale, also known as 'Bomber', are that on November 12, about 9:30 p.m., Johnson was heard crying for help in his residence at 1 Rectory Road, Stony Hill. The accused man was reportedly seen jumping from a balcony.

The priest's naked and mutilated body was later found on the stairway of the rectory. He had been stabbed several times in the left side of his chest and was pronounced dead at the Kingston Public Hospital.

After turning himself in, Vale was put on an ID parade, where he was pointed out. When cautioned, he reportedly said, "Mi nuh have anything more fi say, mi say wha mi have fi say already."

Vale's lawyer argued that his client should should have been granted bail based on the fact that he acted in self-defence, turned himself in, had a fixed address, and was assaulted by other inmates during his time in custody.