The prosecution’s first witness in the murder trial of Everton ‘Beachy Stout’ McDonald has painted a picture of a jealous husband who believed his wife was using his money to support her extra-marital affairs.
The Portland businessman and his co-accused, Oscar Barnes, are on trial for the 2020 murder of his second wife, Tonia McDonald.
The witness, who’s a former employee of the McDonalds, told courtroom two in the Home Circuit Court that ‘Beachy Stout’ would often send him to spy on his wife’s movements and often accused her of disgracing his name and having multiple men.
Nora Gaye Banton has our report.
The witness stuttered as he described how his former boss would often send him to verify his wife’s location.
The witness told the court ‘Beachy Stout’ became increasingly angry with what he says was his ex-wife’s poor business and hygiene habits. The witness alleged ‘Beachy Stout’ frequently described his wife as lazy and nasty.
The popular businessman is also alleged to have accused Tonia McDonald of stealing from his business in an effort to support her affairs. He’s said to have described her behaviour as “cayliss gyal tings”.
Over time, the accusations of infidelity took a dark turn. The witness told the court that as ‘Beachy Stout’ became more convinced his wife was cheating on him, his outbursts became angrier and his accusations against his wife became more severe.
In once instance, the witness says ‘Beachy Stout’ asked him “why shi nuh stop tek up all kinda man man?” ‘Beachy Stout’ is alleged to have asked the witness on another occasion “yuh did know Toni deh wid a police?”
The witness says the popular businessman accused his ex-wife of taking money from his business to support the policeman who she’s alleged to have been having an affair with.
The court heard evidence ‘Beachy Stout’ allegedly showed the witness and another employee nude photographs of Tonia McDonald. ‘Beachy Stout’ is alleged to have remarked “yuh si dem disgrace ya? She skin out like dog.”
The employees were also allegedly shown photos of Tonia McDonald drinking from a glass with the policeman. The businessman is said to have remarked “a dem [expletive] yah shi do and spend off mi money a mind police bwoi.”
The witness then relayed a 2020 incident where ‘Beachy Stout’ sent him to purchase acid, which he alleges the businessman intended to get someone to use on the policeman who was said to be sleeping with his wife. The witness told the court the acid was purchased after ‘Beachy Stout’ alleged original plan to shoot the policeman was reported to law enforcement.
The witness’ eyes welled with tears as he relayed that ‘Beachy Stout’ told him he intended to use the acid to “deal wid fi him face after mi done deal wid fi har case”. The witness alleges the businessman used the acid on himself to test its potency and then remarked “a di real deal dis man; mi a guh see who can hurt who more.”
Tonia McDonald’s partially burnt body was found with her throat slashed in Sherwood Forrest, Portland.
Her car had been sent on fire.
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