Everton McDonald (Beachy Stout) Trial Date for Murder of 2nd Wife Set for September 2023

October 10, 2022

Everton McDonald, more popularly recognized by his moniker ‘Beachy Stout’, who was accused of murdering his wife (Tonia Hamilton-McDonald) and ex-wife (Merlene ‘Petal’ McDonald), is reported to be scheduled to stand trial on Monday, September 18, 2023, for the murder of the second wife, Tonia.

McDonald, a popular businessman in Portland, made an appearance before the Home Circuit Court on Thursday, October 6 for a case management and plea hearing together with Oscar Barnes (referred to as ‘Tiny’) when the date was decided. Barnes had been reportedly recruited by Denvalyn Minott (who was allegedly paid $3M by McDonald to kill his wife) who looked on while Barnes stabbed Tonia repeatedly. Minott pled guilty in court and is currently serving a 19-year prison sentence.

It was decided that the length of the trial (which is a jury trial) would be about seven weeks and that three months before the trial begins in September 2023, a pre-trial will be held on Friday, June 16, 2023, as a “readiness hearing”.

The trial specifics were reportedly the choice of the accused and an estimation of 25 witnesses are set to be called upon.

Seven witnesses are reportedly scheduled to testify on McDonald’s behalf, while Barnes is said to call forward a single witness in tandem with his own testimony, and a cross-examination directed at him from the prosecution. McDonald is said to be represented by attorney Earl Hamilton and attorney John Jacobs while attorney Ernest Davis is to speak for Barnes.

McDonald’s first wife, Merlene McDonald was killed on May 2, 2009, and his second wife Tonia Hamilton-McDonald was murdered on July 20, 2020.