Man in Barbara Gayle murder case found fit to plead, court told

The man accused of murdering veteran journalist Barbara Gayle has been further remanded until June 3 for a pre-trial readiness hearing.

The accused, Travis Ellis, who was arrested in connection with Gayle’s murder in December 2024, was last Thursday remanded on charges of murder and robbery with aggravation.

Meanwhile, the Home Circuit Court heard this morning that a psychiatric report has been completed and indicates that Ellis is fit to plead.

Gayle, a respected retired journalist who was still writing for The Gleaner, was found dead at her Caymanas Estate home in St Catherine on December 17, 2024, with multiple stab wounds and blunt-force trauma to her head.

Ellis was last seen with her on Monday, December 16.

Investigators allege that the defendant broke into a house on the day Gayle was last seen alive.

It is further alleged that, after breaking into the house, the suspect, in a bid to elude security personnel, ran to Phase One, where he went to Gayle’s home.

It is alleged that he later attacked Gayle inside her house after engaging her in conversation.

Her GLA 180 Mercedes-Benz was found along Dyke Road in Portmore, St Catherine, a day after she was found dead.

Investigators believe that Ellis drove the vehicle to the location after Gayle’s murder.

Ellis is being represented by King’s Counsel Tom Tavares-Finson and attorney-at-law Donahue Martin.

- Tanesha Mundle

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