Omar Collymore murder trial begins in Home Circuit Court

The long-awaited murder trial of Omar 'Best' Collymore, who allegedly contracted men to murder his wife, Simone Campbell-Collymore, six years ago, has started in the Home Circuit Court.

Collymore is being tried along with his four co-defendants, Michael Adams, Dewayne Pink and Shaquile Edwards. They are also being tried for the murder of taxi driver, Winston Watson.

The defendants are being tried for two counts each of murder and a count of conspiracy.

A seven-member jury is now being empanelled before Justice Leighton Pusey.

A fifth defendant, Carey Jonas was severed from the indictment and is to be tried for conspiracy in a separate matter.

The 32-year-old businesswoman and 36-year-old taxi operator were gunned down on Stanley Terrace in Red Hills, St Andrew, on January 2, 2018.

Collymore is alleged to have orchestrated his wife's murder and was at home at the time of the murder.

The victims were shot and killed when they arrived at the gate of the apartment building where Campbell-Collymore lived.

They were shot by two pillion passengers who were travelling on motorbikes.

Campbell-Collymore, who was reportedly shot 21 times, and Walters both died on the spot.

A day before Campbell-Collymore's funeral, her widower was stopped at the Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston as he attempted to leave the island.

One of Collymore's co-accused, Wade Blackwood, who was one of the shooters in the incident, was sentenced on March 11, 2021, to two life sentences on two counts of murder and eight and a half years for illegal possession of a firearm. The sentences will run concurrently, and he will be eligible for parole after serving 35 years.

- Tanesha Mundle

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