A smiling Jessroy McKelly on February 7, 2013.

Photo Credit: Melissa Edwards/BVI Platinum News

A smiling Jessroy McKelly on February 7, 2013.

Photo Credit: Melissa Edwards/BVI Platinum News

Jessroy McKelly will in May of this year stand trial for the murder of Kareem 'Bingy' Sebastian, confirmed High Court Judge, Justice Albert Redhead.

When the matter was called this week, Senior Crown Counsel Christlyn Benjamin said there is no prejudice in having the case traversed since it is a recent committal and dates for the remainder of the assizes are filled.

McKelly's lawyer, Patrick Thompson had no objections. Thompson is representing the murder accused through legal aid.

Justice Redhead then traversed the case to the May assizes which is scheduled to being on May 7.

It is the crown's case that on Sunday, August 24, 2008 around 7:55 pm, McKelly, 25, shot Sebastian, 26, multiple times. At the time of the shooting, the victim was sitting with others under the shed at the entrance to Crab Lot, known as the Ghetto.

Sebastian was seriously injured and hospitalized following the shooting, but succumbed to his injuries on May 27, 2009.

It is alleged that one eyewitness told police that on the evening of the shooting, Sebastian and others were sitting by the Ghetto when a male person armed with a gun came up from behind a garbage bin which was about four feet behind Sebastian.

It is further alleged that the male person went up alongside Sebastian and fired a shot in the direction of his face and then three more shots to his lower body. Sebastian fell from his chair.

According to police, the witness said he recognized the shooter to be McKelly. It was stated that while the shooter was wearing a mask, the witness said he could still see sufficient facial details to recognize the man to be McKelly.

After Sebastian fell to the ground, the shooter allegedly fired more shots into Sebastian's back. It is alleged that the gun either ran out of shots or was jammed and the shooter allegedly shouted "dead", and then ran off in the direction of Main Street.

It is also alleged that McKelly told an acquaintance about the August 2008 shooting and subsequent plans he had to discharge a firearm at Sebastian's brother.