A new trial date of January 31, 2025, has been set for Rushawn Patterson, who faces charges in connection with the October 2022 murder of social media influencer Aneika ‘Slickianna’ Townsend.
The decision was made during Patterson’s appearance at the St. James Circuit Court on Thursday.
The court heard that while the postmortem report is now available, a crucial DNA report remains outstanding. In light of this, the Crown requested the January date, which was granted by Supreme Court Judge Bertram Morrison. Patterson’s bail was also extended during the proceedings.
Representing Patterson in court was Senator Charles Sinclair, standing in for his attorney Dionne Mayler Barrett, who was absent. The case had previously been delayed on October 18 when all scheduled cases were unexpectedly brought forward a day earlier, setting the stage for Thursday’s hearing.
Delays in the case have largely been attributed to the pending postmortem and DNA reports, which had previously caused an adjournment on September 23. Once all outstanding reports are submitted, a trial date is expected to be finalized.
The case revolves around the death of Townsend, whose body was found in the sea at Reading, St. James, on October 21, 2022. According to police reports, Townsend traveled from Kingston to Montego Bay on October 20, where she was picked up by Patterson. The two reportedly visited a restaurant in Hanover and a guest house in St. James that evening. An argument allegedly broke out between them, leading to Patterson being accused of strangling Townsend and disposing of her body.
Patterson was named a person of interest the day after the body was discovered and was captured by authorities on November 2, 2022, at a guest house in Hanover after failing to meet deadlines to turn himself in.
