Christopher Jones, who was once charged with the kidnapping and murder of businesswoman Samdaye Rampersad, was killed Wednesday night outside the home of a man still charged with the murder.

Jones, 22, died from two bullets to the head.

He was shot at around 10.20 p.m. and died on the pavement outside the home of murder accused Phillip Boodram.

Jones and Boodram were among nine people charged with killing Rampersad, whose body was found in a shallow grave at Claxton Bay in January 2005.

Shortly before the court trial last year, Jones was freed. A retrial was ordered for Boodram and four others.

Police said that Jones lived at Manjack Street, Claxton Bay.

Residents of Dow Village, Couva, called police after hearing gunshots around 10.20 p.m. Police later found Jones dead at the corner of Fifth and Main Streets.

Investigators, however, said there were no witnesses willing to help. A vehicle was seen speeding from the area shortly after the shots.

At Manjack Street, relatives said Jones was last seen at 5 p.m. Wednesday, when he left to "check a friend". They said he was a marijuana user, but otherwise a decent person.

Insp Rodriguez and Sgt Parriman visited the scene.