Rodney Beckles, son of the University of the West Indies(UWI) professor, Hilary Beckles, was remanded in custody when he appeared in the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate's Court yesterday to answer to a murder charge.

Beckles, a 21-year-old social sciences student of the UWI is facing the charge after it is alleged that he stabbed 28-year-old Khalil Campbell during a dispute about ganja.

When the matter was mentioned before RM. Judith Pusey, Beckles' attorney said he would not comment on the case as he wanted to read the statements. The attorney added that family members were en route to Jamaica from Barbados and he would be in a better position to present his case later this week. After hearing these arguments, RM. Pusey ordered that Beckles be remanded in custody until Thursday when the matter will again be mentioned. Beckles was also ordered to give his fingerprints to the police.

Allegations are that on January 4 at about 3:30 p.m., Campbell was stabbed after he was in an argument with the accused.

It is alleged that Beckles denied Campbell the opportunity to smoke his 'chillum pipe', claiming Campbell was not mentally capable of "handling the weed". An altercation developed during which Campbell was stabbed several times. Beckles was reportedly held the following day on the campus.