September 14 committal hearing for taxi operator charged with fatal Manchester mob attack

A committal hearing has been set for September 14 for taxi operator Orlando Powell who is charged with the murder of the man who died after being beaten by a mob in Manchester last month.

The hearing is to determine if the case will be transferred from the parish court to the circuit court. 

Bail was extended when Powell appeared before the Manchester Parish Court today.

Parish judge Monique Harrison accepted the prosecution's request for the case file to be served on the defence on or before Thursday, July 28. 

Powell is being represented by attorney-at -Law Yolanda Kiffin. 

Chieftin Campbell, 62, was attacked and beaten by a mob in Mandeville on May 6 after being pointed out by an unknown individual as someone who had allegedly robbed a man some time ago.

He was subsequently found with a bloody nose amid a crowd at approximately 2 p.m. along Manchester Road by police who were on foot patrol.

Campbell was taken to hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.

An autopsy confirmed that Campbell died as a result of blunt force trauma to the head and neck. 

Hundreds gathered last Saturday at the Victoria Town Full Gospel Assemblies church in Victoria Town in south Manchester to bid farewell to Campbell.

- Tamara Bailey

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