Jury convicts murder accused

A 12-member jury has convicted one of three men who went on trial six weeks ago for the murder of 56 year old businessman and Justice of the Peace Winston Chin and his 50 year old wife Aileen.



Christopher Edgehill, 30, a labourer, is to be sentenced later this year.



However, the jury, which deliberated for about 7 hours, was unable to reach a verdict with regards to cell phone technician Godfrey Williams and labourer Cecil Wright.



A retrial has been ordered in relation to them.



The couple, who operated Penny\'s Supermarket in Annotto Bay, St. Mary were shot several times during a robbery at their home at Bellfield, near Highgate, St. Mary on July 3, 2004.



A crown witness testified that the day before the Chins were murdered he heard the three accused planning to kill them.



The day after the Chins were murdered the witness said he saw the men sharing bags of money.



A confession statement reportedly given by Edgehill also led to the recovery of Chin\'s firearm, which was wrapped in a blouse belonging to Edgehill\'s girlfriend.



A defence lawyer who was called to testify for the Crown said he represented Edgehill, while his confession statement was given to the police.



But in his defence, Edgehill denied giving the statement. He said he was given a blank sheet of paper to sign and he had nothing to do with the murder.



The other two men said they were not involved in the murder.