Crystal Harrison, Staff Reporter

A man who has been accused of chopping his stepson to death in St Thomas yesterday had to be rescued by the police after residents launched a manhunt to exact their own punishment. The accused was found hiding in bushes.

Dead is 37-year-old Jason Francis, a labourer of the parish.

THE STAR understands that residents who heard about Francis' death, later went in search of the accused who was found hiding in bushes.

The police say Francis was found on the Llandewey main road with his body dismembered.

Up to press time last night, checks made with the police revealed that the accused man was not yet charged.

THE STAR understands that sometime after 6:30 a.m., a conflict developed between the deceased and another man, where it is alleged that a machete was used to chop Francis.

Information reaching THE STAR is that the conflict was about Francis' mother, who was allegedly being abused by the accused.

It is reported that residents who heard about the incident, went in search of the accused who was later found by the cops with his left hand broken and suffering from head injuries.

The police say they could not confirm reports that the man was set ablaze in bushes, where he was hiding, however the police say they could confirm that there were reports of a fire near the incident.