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Jealous Boyfriend Kills Man
posted (July 20, 2015)
A man was beaten to death in Hattieville yesterday. 48 year old Steve Munnings was at his house in the village when a man attacked him with a "2 by 4" apparently in a jealous rage. Munnings was working on a house project for a woman when he was dragged into this bitter love affair which led to his murder. Today we visited the family in Hattieville to find out how Munnings got caught in the middle - Courtney Weatherburne has more...

Courtney Weatherburne reporting
Michelle Brakeman lives in this small wooden green house. She had just moved there about a month ago with her daughter.

It was a new start for Brakeman who was slowly renovating this new space and making this house into a home.

But that peace of mind was crushed yesterday when her abusive boyfriend of 5 years came looking for her.

Voice of: Michelle Brakeman, Witness
"While I was sitting down at my friend's house my boyfriend came and approached me there and he started to knock me and asked me where the key was. I asked him why is he doing this for and this is my own house key and he said that he doesn't want to hear that, he wants the key."

But she didn't have the key. Her worker had it. She had given him the key to hold - fearing that her boyfriend would harass her and take it from her.

That is how 48 year old construction worker Steve Munnings got caught in the middle of this couple's feud.

He had been working on this septic tank for Brakeman for over a week. He had just finished the tank and was going to tile the floor of the shower yesterday afternoon

But he couldn't get to do his job because he was attacked at his home by the jealous boyfriend.

Voice of: Shawn Staine, Sister
"For some reason or the other, her estranged boyfriend is under the impression that my brother is having a relationship with the young lady."

In a rage, Brakeman's boyfriend forced her to go get her house key from Munnings - and that's where Munnings was attacked and killed.

Voice of: Michelle Brakeman, Witness
"The man went for the key in his house. He went in the man's yard and he whopped him with a piece of stick."

Courtney Weatherburne
"So your boyfriend followed you to Mr. Munnings' house?"

Voice of: Michelle Brakeman, Witness
"Yes and he whop the man with a piece of stick."

Courtney Weatherburne
"So your boyfriend waited outside for Mr. Munnings to come out and that's when he attacked him?"

Voice of: Michelle Brakeman, Witness
"Yes and he started to punch him. When I saw all of that happening, I just ran through Mr. Munnings neighbor's yard and I didn't see what else happen after that."

Now the family is left broken and enraged that their loved one was killed because of another's jealous love affair.

Voice of: Shawn Staine, Sister
"It's a horrific sight, because my brother choked on his own blood. When I got there he was on the ground with no shirt and blood was all around his mouth. His face was swollen. This young guy chance my brother out of his life, because everybody know "molo" in Hattieville. Everybody know my brother is not into stupidness. I believe that is the reason why the guy took advantage of him - because his is not a fighter. He is not into those stuff."

Brakeman also told us that Dyer had put a knife to her throat when he approached her yesterday demanding her house keys.

So, what are police saying at this time about his murder? Well, the new Eastern Division Rural Commander, Edward Broaster, hosted a press brief this morning flanked by the senior investigators who are working on this case. They told us what they know so far:

Sr. Supt. Edward Broaster - Commander, Eastern Division Rural
"Police acting upon information received, visited the home Steve Munnings on Forest Drive, Hattieville Village. Where upon arrival they observed the lifeless body of Mr. Steve Munnings. The common-law of the suspect had a conversation with his ex-common-law, where both went to Mr. Munning's residence to retrieve a key. And as a result, the suspect, who is now in police custody, Hugh Dyer, began assaulting Mr. Munnings and subsequently caused the fatal injuries that he suffered. Mr. Dyer fled the scene and eluded a patrol and the rural rapid response along with the strike team from Hattieville combined efforts where they captured Mister Dyer in the Hattieville area. Mr. Dyer will be charged for murder later today."

Insp. Rochel Chan, OC - Hattieville Police
"There are indication of assault that lead to his death. The investigation revealed that he might have arisen from a key that was being sought by the suspect. The key allegedly is for a residence owned by the suspect and Mr. Munnings seemed to have been working within the residence and hence the reason he had access to the key and due to the domestic issues that the suspect had with his wife, probably arose to and came to the decision,"

Supt. Hilberto Romero - OC CIB Eastern Division
"Hugh Dyer had a relationship with this female. They were going through some problems and they parted. At some point the deceased used to go to the residence of this female to assist her with some work. At some point Hugh Dyer met them at the residence of the deceased, where they had a confrontation. We believe he was hit with a piece of board to the face and to the head."

Reporter
"Will there still be some difficulties getting a conviction even though will all the evidence that has been presented?"

Sr. Supt. Edward Broaster
"Well, nothing that goes to the court, you can say for a hundred percent is close and shut. We will have to do our diligent investigation and present a proper case before the court in order to secure a conviction."

The boyfriend: 31 year old Hugh Dyer has been arrested and charged with murder. He was arraigned this afternoon before Magistrate Ladonna John. Due to the nature of the offence, no plea was taken, and Dyer was remanded into custody until October 20.

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