Barbara Gayle, Staff Reporter

THE WOMAN who was charged jointly with two men in connection with the murder of 62-year-old Lloyd Brown, former president of the Jamaica Gasolene Retailers Association (JGRA), and his 49-year-old fiancée, Sandra Campbell, has been freed.

Sandra Watt, 45, who was employed to Campbell as her household helper at the time of the double murder, was freed Friday after the director of public prosecutions entered a nolle prosequi (no prosecution).

No knowledge of watt

Watt, who had been in custody since she was arrested in November 2006, said yesterday that she was "happy" to be released. She was tried with the two men last July, but the jury convicted the men and failed to arrive at a verdict for Watt. A retrial was ordered for her.

Attorney-at-law Ravil Golding, who represented Watt at the trial, wrote to Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Kent Pantry, Q.C., informing him of the evidence which took place at the trial. One of the men had confessed to a crown witness that he gained entry to the house by going through a window upstairs. The accused man also said in court that he did not know Watt.

The Crown was alleging that Watt had assisted the men to gain entry to the house and had also alleged that entry was through a door.

Golding called on the DPP to use his powers under Section 94 of the Constitution of Jamaica and Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Administration Act and discontinue prosecution against Watt.

Peter Dougal, 39, construction worker and farmer of Santoy district in Hanover, was sentenced to hang for the double murder.

Donald Whyte, 40, labourer, of Love Lane, Kingston, was sentenced to life imprisonment, but Justice Norma McIntosh recommended that he must serve 40 years before he was eligible for parole. The men are appealing the sentences.

The police had theorised that it was a contract killing.

- barbara.gayle@gleanerjm.com