Jul 28, 2010
Mother & Teenage Sons Charged With Murdering Daughter’s Boyfriend
36 year old Reita Paige, of Mansfield Heights (also known as Fauklands) in Ocho Rios, St. Ann, appeared in the St. Ann’s Bay Resident Magistrate’s Court yesterday, where she and three of her sons – 18-year-old Odane Smith and two juveniles ages 16 and 14 – faced murder charges in relation to the death of a 17-year-old youth with whom the woman’s daughter was said to have been involved in a relationship.
On July 7, 2010 at approximately 2 a.m., the 17 year old youth (identified as Brian Johnson) reportedly had an argument with Paige’s 14 year old daughter at Johnson’s house in Mansfield Heights. The girl reportedly left and went to her home nearby where she reported the incident to family members. The court heard that Paige and her three sons then armed themselves with a knife and screwdrivers, and went in search of Johnson. He was not seen at his house, but reportedly accosted on a roadway in the community later. It is then alleged that all four attacked Johnson stabbing him multiple times. The blade of the knife reportedly broke in the Johnson’s chest.
When they appeared in court yesterday, Paige and one of her juvenile sons were remanded in custody until August 12. The 14 year old juvenile reportedly has mental problems, and the presiding magistrate ordered that he be assessed by a psychiatrist. He, along with the eldest son (Smith) were each offered bail in the sum of $200,000 with surety. As a condition of their bail, they are to report to the Ocho Rios police on Mondays and Thursdays and a curfew was imposed on them.
The 14 year old girl has since been removed from the home, and sent to a place of safety.