Jamaican charged with murder of Trinidad businessman found dead in home

A 25-year-old Jamaican man has been charged with the murder of Trinidadian businessman Sterling Francois, whose bloodied body was found inside his home last month.

Deandre Markland appeared before the court earlier last week, and the case was adjourned to Oct. 30 for a status hearing.

Markland was arrested on June 26 and formally charged on July 4 after police received legal advice from Director of Public Prosecutions Roger Gaspard.

According to police, Francois, 45, was found dead at his home on June 20 after a concerned relative went to check on him when repeated phone calls went unanswered.

The relative found the front door closed but unlocked and noticed blood-stained footprints inside the house before discovering Francois lying face down, naked and covered in blood at the top of a staircase.

Investigators recovered blood-stained footprints and blood spatter throughout the house, as well as a machete believed to be the murder weapon. Police also seized a plastic cup that they believe may have been used by the killer.

The investigation determined that Francois returned home at about 8:40 p.m. on June 19 with a male companion after leaving earlier that evening in his black Chevrolet Colorado pickup truck.

Police said surveillance and witness information indicated that the visitor left the house shortly after midnight carrying a knapsack before boarding a brown four-wheel-drive pickup that drove away from the area.

Relatives later reported that several items were missing from the home, including Francois' iPhone, laptop, PlayStation and wallet.

Francois owned several businesses, including an auto rental company.