St Lucia murder suspect remanded

A murder suspect who St Lucian authorities are seeking to have extradited was remanded in custody when he appeared in the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court yesterday.

Orville Purnell is being sought by the St Lucian police for the August 24 murder of 28-year-old Claytos Alfred. Purnell is being represented by Valerie Neita-Robertson, Q.C.

Police officials in St Lucia have revealed that Purnell, 27, staged a daring escape while in lock-up in that country on October 12 last year.

According to a news update from NBC Prime in St Lucia, Purnell reportedly used a sharp instrument to cut through steel bars and escaped from a cell which he shared with three other detainees. It was reported that following his escape from the eastern Caribbean island, he has been hiding in Buff Bay, Portland, in Jamaica.

Purnell was captured by Portland police in a raid on July 11. He is set to return to court in December 6.

- T.T.