KINGSTON, JAMAICA: Man allegedly chopped to death over ackees after he confronted the accused, Rosyiade Cunningham, and two other men who were picking ackees from a tree in Burke’s yard without his permission

Wednesday, March 16, 2016 – Tanesha Mundle

A man accused of murdering another man in his community during a dispute over ackees last month was remanded when he appeared in the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate’s Court yesterday.

Ackee

David Burke was allegedly chopped to death after he confronted the accused, Rosyiade Cunningham, and two other men who were picking ackees from a tree in Burke’s yard without his permission.

Cunningham, of Kencot in Kingston 5, is charged with murder.

The police have alleged that on February 5 at about 8:00 am, Cunningham and two other men — who have so far eluded the police — went to Burke’s home at South Road in the community, to pick ackees. It is alleged that Burke, a 35-year-old woodcarver, saw the men picking the ackees and an argument developed during which the men attacked and chopped him with machetes.

Ackee Meal

He was rushed to Kingston Public Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Cunningham was later arrested and charged but his alleged accomplices are reportedly on the run.

Yesterday, when the case was mentioned, the accused told the court that attorney Patrick Peterkin was representing him, but the lawyer was absent.

Consequently, Senior Magistrate Judith Pusey remanded Cunningham and rescheduled the matter for mention on March 23.