Rasbert Turner, Star Writer

Alleged One Order gang member Fitzroy Mathias, otherwise called Scuffler, who is charged with the gun slaying of a man two years ago, was granted bail in sum of $750,000 in the Home Circuit Court yesterday.

Mathias, 36, is charged with the murder of Huntroy Patterson, otherwise called 'Season', of Ellerslie Pen, Spanish Town, St Catherine.

When the matter came up for trial, it was revealed that the sole eyewitness in the matter who was in police custody was absent.

It was further revealed that the man had not left an address and could not be reached.

A successful bail application was made by attorney-at-law Sean Kinghorn.

He told the court that it was a travesty of justice to have Mathias languishing in custody while the main witness was absent.

two witnesses

Bail was initially opposed on the ground that he was reportedly third in charge of the "One Order gang". The court was, however, convinced to grant bail. This was after the court was told that he brought two witnesses to prove Mathias had an allibi at the time of the alleged shooting.

Bail was subsequently granted on condition that Mathias surrender his travel documents and be under curfew from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m., daily.

The matter will again be mentioned on May 15, while the police search for the witness.

Allegations are that on April 13, 2013, Patterson was walking along Manchester Street in Spanish Town. Upon reaching the intersection of Cumberland Road and Manchester Street, he was attacked by Mathias and another man. Patterson was reportedly shot and killed by the accused.

An investigation was launched which resulted in Mathias being charged with murder.

The presiding judge was Justice Lennox Campbell and Crown Counsel was Maxine Jackson.