Tashieka Mair, Star Writer

WESTERN BUREAU

Despite arguments that he acted in self-defense when he chopped to death a man who had entered his premises, bail was denied for St. James taxi operator Clive Mitchell in the Montego Bay Resident Magistrate's Court on Tuesday.

Mitchell, of New Roads in Cambridge, is facing a murder charge after he was accused of chopping an unidentified man to death in what appeared to be a case of mistaken identity.

Allegations are that on May 15 at about 12:20 a.m., Mitchell was at his home when he heard someone calling his girlfriend, who was not at the house at the time. The accused allegedly thought it was his girlfriend's ex-boyfriend whom he had an altercation with three days before. Mitchell is alleged to have gone outside and used a machete to chop the man in his face. The man collapsed and while on the ground was chopped nine more times in the back of the head.

However defence lawyer, Albert Morgan in a bail application told the court that his client was awakened by sounds of someone trying to break into his house. He was reportedly attacked and injured by the now deceased when he went to investigate. The accused is said to have defended himself and was able to inflict several blows to the unknown deceased.

Morgan also told the court that his client was threatened during an altercation with a man three days prior to the incident, and thought that it was that man who had come to his home.

However, after hearing that no weapon was recovered from the deceased and that there was no indication of forced entry RM Winsome Henry was not convinced that it was self-defence. She said that the evidence against the accused was overwhelming and, therefore, denied bail.

Mitchell is scheduled to return to court on June 15.