Suspects charged with killing Jason Powery

Jason Powery, murdered on 2 July 2015

(CNS): Two men from George Town who were arrested by police last Friday have been charged with murder. The men, aged 23 and 28, were charged late Wednesday afternoon with killing Jason Powery and possession of an unlicensed firearm. The West Bay man was just 20 years old when he was gunned down in Martin Lane on 1 July, close to the Globe Bar, in what is believed to be part of Cayman’s ongoing gang feuds.

The men, who have not yet been named, are currently in police custody and due to appear in Summary Court Thursday morning.

Powery was the third young Caymanian to lose his life as a result of gang violence this year. He was a cousin of David Ebanks, the second victim of gang violence this year, who was also only 20 years old when he was shot and killed outside a local jerk food stand on Birch Tree Hill Road, in West Bay.

The first young man shot this year was Victor Oliver Yates (22), who was killed on 3 January outside Super C’s bar and restaurant on Watercourse Road, also in West Bay. Justin Manderson (22), who is also from West Bay, was charged with Yates’ murder and is scheduled to stand trial on Monday 27 July. Meanwhile, although arrests were made, no one has been charged with Ebanks’ murder.