MANDEVILLE, Manchester — Police were, up to last night, still trying to determine the motive for the murder of a farmer, his common-law wife and his stepson at their home in Bellefield yesterday.
Police report that the bodies of Uriah Morgan and Mable Green, who were both in their 50s, as well as Morgan’s stepson from a previous relationship, 22-year-old Odean Stephenson, were found about 7:00 am with bullet wounds.
As residents reacted with shock to the news, Councillor Mario Mitchell (People’s National Party, Bellefield Division) expressed hope that the police will make a breakthrough in the case soon.
“Hopefully, some information will be forthcoming soon,” said Mitchell, who also made an appeal for residents to assist the police where possible.
He said that Morgan was born and raised in Top Bellefield and, like many other residents, made a living from farming.
Morgan, affectionately known as “Ballie”, was said to have been involved in the farmers’ group in the community and with the Jamaica Agricultural Society.
“He was hard-working, peaceful, easy-going — a good community man,” said the councillor.
Mitchell said that evidence of Morgan’s admirable character was the bond he shared with his stepson, who still lived at his house.
Stephenson was reportedly employed at a bakery in the parish, but did farming too.
“He was always trying his best,” said Mitchell.
The political representative said that the young man also got involved in sports-related activities in the community.
The relationship that Morgan had with Green was reportedly relatively new; she was not from the area.
Residents say she was a food vendor who would take produce that Morgan planted to the market, but they did not know much about her otherwise.
