Murder victim was with woman; man held released

While confirming an earlier BVI News Online report that a man was detained in relation to the murder of 41-year-old Jefferson Joseph, police said the late resident of Mountain Valley in Huntums Ghut was in the company of a woman when he was shot dead.

The woman was treated at hospital and released. The police did not disclose the reason she had sought treatment.

The man, who was held this morning in relation to the murder, was released from police custody.

The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF), in a media release this evening, stated that its officers are asking the public for information that could help in the murder investigation.

“Initial inquiries suggest that on Sunday morning just before 4am, Joseph and a female companion had left a nightclub close to the CSY Dock, and was about to leave in his vehicle when shots were fired. Joseph was pronounced dead at the scene. His female companion was treated at hospital and discharged,” said the RVIPF.

It added that a crane service was sought to remove Joseph’s vehicle, which ended up over a road barrier following the shooting incident.

“One man detained and questioned by police in relation to the murder has since been released. Persons with information can contact the RVIPF Intelligence Unit at 368-9339. Investigations are ongoing,” added the RVIPF.

The late Joseph, who was released from Her Majesty’s Prison recently, was before the court for allegedly inciting another person to murder Melbourne Francis in Long Look, Tortola, on May 9, 2013.

The prosecution claimed that Joseph offered St Kitts native Andraes Norford $13,000 to murder Francis.

It is further alleged that, following the shooting, Joseph and Norford had several conversations about what took place, and Norford even admitted that he carried out the gun attack.