Update | Taxi operator charged for fatally stabbing fellow cabbie in Portmore denied bail

Bail was today denied for St Catherine taxi operator Lloyd Armstrong, who is charged for fatally stabbing another cabbie during an altercation near the Portmore Mall in the municipality.

The court cited that he is a flight risk, noting that he was on the run for months before surrendering to the police.

In applying for bail, Armstrong’s attorney told the court that her client fully cooperated with the police after seeing his name on a wanted list in December 2025.

"The police did not send out a list, so my client was not aware. As soon as he was, he turned himself in and even gave a caution statement," the lawyer said.

However, through the Clerk of Court, it was indicated that the investigating officer had made attempts to contact the accused and had even collected a statement from a family member, who stated that Armstrong was aware that the other driver had died.

Acting Senior Parish Court Judge Janelle Nelson-Gayle denied bail, remarking that Armstrong had knowledge of the situation and failed to surrender, making him a flight risk.

He was subsequently remanded and is to return to court on April 1.

Armstrong, also known as 'Ju Ju Frass,' is charged with the murder of 45-year-old Damion Delano Lawrence, also called 'Yankee' and 'Trainer,' a taxi operator from Eltham Park, Spanish Town, St Catherine.

It is alleged that on July 15, 2025, around 6:15 p.m., Armstrong and Lawrence had a dispute near the Portmore Mall, during which Armstrong used a knife to inflict wounds to Lawrence’s upper body. Armstrong then fled the scene.

The injured Lawrence drove his Nissan motor car to a section of Portmore Drive, where he crashed into the rear of a truck. He was later pronounced dead at Spanish Town Hospital.

Armstrong remained at large until he surrendered to police on January 5 and was subsequently charged with murder.

- Rasbert Turner

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