Debt dispute led to death, court hears

At the start of the murder trial of three St Andrew men in February, two confessed to murdering Thompson sometime between August 23 and 26, 2020. They were Shaquille Jesse Romeo Goodridge, 30, of Belleplaine Housing Area, and Shaulon Rashidi Collymore, 28, of Lakes Village.

They were remanded to Dodds Prison pending a presentencing report and the facts to be read to the court where Justice Elwood Watts presides.

Another accused Andre Ricardo Watson, 33, also of Lakes Village, continued in the dock on his own but the jury later found him guilty.

Principal State Counsel Oliver Thomas told the court that on August 24, 2020, Rasheeda Cadogan reported to police that her boyfriend Thompson was missing.

Investigations began into the disappearance of the seaman, who had left their home about 5 p.m. on August 23 driving Cadogan’s car, but never returned home.

On August 26, police discovered a burnt-out car at Ashford, St John, containing human remains.

Two years before his disappearance, Thompson made plans to buy a motorcycle from Collymore and paid him $4 500. However, Collymore said the motorcycle was not functioning so Thompson never received it.

They later decided to use the same funds to repair the motorcycle, thereby completing the sale. This fell through, Thompson demanded a refund but was only given $1 300. He waited for Collymore to return the remainder but that never happened.

Frustrated with what he considered Thompson’s harassment, Collymore began formulating a plan to kill him, with the help of Watson and Goodridge, the prosecutor said.

Collymore lured Thompson to Jack In The Box Gully, St Thomas, he said, under the pretext that his (Collymore’s) car had broken down; plus he had a chain to give to him which would go toward the refund. When Thompson arrived, the three men ambushed, stabbed and kidnapped him. Collymore led the way in his own car with Goodridge and Watson transporting the deceased in the car in which he arrived.

Secluded area

They drove to a secluded area in Ashford and burnt the car by setting fire to the seats, with Thompson still inside. All three later told police of the part each played in Thompson’s demise.

Collymore was also a Coast Guard officer who worked with Thompson and attended the then St Lucy Secondary School with him. Although what Collymore said in his first interview with police turned out to be false, he later gave a second statement, outlining how he and the other two made a plan to lure Thompson

to Jack In The Box Gully.

The court heard that according to Collymore, Watson sent Thompson a message via mobile phone informing him that Collymore’s car had broken down and they needed his assistance.

When Thompson arrived, Collymore said, the plan changed and Watson intended to rob him. Collymore and Goodridge then became party to this revised plan. They got into Thompson’s car and drove with him to the area inside the gully where Collymore’s car was parked. When Thompson stopped his car, Watson pulled out a knife and stabbed him in the neck.

Collymore then got out the vehicle and left Watson and the deceased inside scuffling. On realising Thompson had no gold jewellery, Watson told Collymore to find a place for their victim. Collymore drove his own car while Goodridge drove the deceased’s car, with Watson as passenger and the deceased held captive. After the stabbing Collymore was responsible for finding a remote location to dispose of the body.

When they got to Ashford, Watson handed Collymore a cloth and told him to wipe the fingerprints off the vehicle. Collymore did not get to comply because Watson took back the cloth and told Collymore to open the gas tank.

Collymore said he did not do that either but he soon saw the car go up in flames. It was possible that Thompson was still alive when the car was set alight, he added. He later drove his accomplices to their respective homes.

Based on the statements, a few unresolved questions arose as to who stabbed Thompson, the prosecutor said. While Goodridge and Collymore said it was Watson who stabbed Thompson in the neck, Watson told police Collymore stabbed the deceased.

Meanwhile, Goodridge told lawmen he was party to a plan to burn the car and never did, but Collymore and Watson did.

Collymore, on the other hand, said he arrived at Ashford after Watson and Goodridge and by then, those two were already out of the vehicle which was carrying Thompson, and the car started burning soon after. Watson also said it was Collymore who used his (Watson’s) phone to lure Thompson to the gully.

Watson was represented by attorney Kendrid Sargeant, Goodridge by attorneys Marlon Gordon and Jeremy Bowen, and Collymore by attorney Shadia Simpson.

The convicted men remain on remand at Dodds Prison until May 30. (SD)