Barbara Gayle, Staff Reporter

Former Jamaica Gasolene Retailers' Association President Lloyd Brown and fiancée Sandra Campbell in happier times. - Contributed

The two men charged with the murder of Lloyd George (L.G.) Brown, former president of the Jamaica Gasolene Retailers' Association (JGRA) and his 49-year-old fiancée, Sandra Campbell, were found guilty of murder late yesterday evening after lengthy deliberations by the jury, in the Home Circuit Court, downtown Kingston.

Retrial for helper

The accused - 39-year-old Peter Dougal, of Santoy district in Hanover and Donald Whyte, labourer, of a Kingston address, are to be sentenced on October 1. Their co-accused, Sandra Watt, who was employed to Campbell as a household helper, is to face a retrial as the jury did not reach a verdict in relation to her.

The 12-member jury handed down the ruling about 7 o'clock last night, almost four hours after the members retired.

On Monday, the defence closed its case just one week after the Crown finished making its case.

The case was presided over by Justice Norma McIntosh. Kent Pantry, Q.C., director of public prosecutions, who led the evidence for the Crown, called 22 witnesses before closing the case.

Brown, 62, and Campbell were fatally shot about 4:00 a.m. on Sunday, June 6, 2004 at Campbell's Stilwell Road home in Stony Hill, St. Andrew. The killers apparently used a ladder to enter the two-storey house then shot the couple. Mr. Brown was struck twice in the head, while Ms. Campbell was killed by a single bullet to the chest.

Engaged in a shoot-out

Later that day, the police went to premises at Vineyard Town where a group of men allegedly engaged them in a shoot-out. It was alleged that during the incident Dougal was shot and injured, and two firearms recovered. Dougal was allegedly found in possession of Brown's photograph.

Forensic tests done on the guns proved that one of them was used to murder Brown and Campbell.

The police theorised that it was a contract killing.

L.G. Brown was involved in the petroleum industry for more than 30 years.

He was best known for his six years as president of the JGRA. He took over as head of the organisation in 1994, shortly after the death of Bob McFarlane. His first tenure as president lasted from 1994 to 1996.

barbara.gayle@gleanerjm.com