June 30, 2008 — Bail has been set at $100,000 for 20-year-old Jahlil D. Ward, arrested last week and charged with first-degree murder and assault in the June 2007 stabbing death of James "Jamie" Cockayne.
Ward was picked up by police Friday afternoon at Cyril E. King Airport on St. Thomas. A warrant for his arrest was issued the same day by V.I. Superior Court Judge Brenda J. Hollar. At the time of his arrest, Ward's bail was set at $250,000, which was reduced by Hollar during an advice-of-rights hearing held early Monday morning.
Ward is the third suspect arrested in the case, joining Kamal "Six Pack" Thomas and Anselmo Boston, who were arrested last year after witnesses said the two were involved in an argument with Cockayne on the night of his murder on St. John.
Boston, who also faces first-degree murder, weapons and assault charges in Cockayne's death, has admitted to having a verbal confrontation with "a white guy" who had "kicked his jeep" earlier that evening, according to a statement obtained by police after the incident. Boston added that he hit Cockayne in the shoulder and neck with a pool stick, but did not follow when Cockayne left the Front Yard Bar in Cruz Bay a little while later.
During a hearing in May, Thomas' defense attorney, Michael Joseph, claimed a third individual — Ward — had contact with Cockayne on the night of his death. According to Joseph, an alibi witness can confirm that Ward confessed to the murder, saying he had "iced the white guy." (See "Attorney: Possible Witness in Cockayne Murder in Custody.")
Ward's arrest does not put a hold on the case against Boston and Thomas, who will appear as co-defendants once the trial starts in early October, according to a Justice Department news release.
"Friday's arrest of Jahlil Ward does not exonerate, at this time, either Anselmo Boston or Kamal Thomas of their involvement in the violent and fatal attack on James P. Cockayne," said Attorney General Vincent Frazer. "Each of the men is charged, and will be tried as principals, who aided and abetted one another in carrying out his murder."
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