A man charged with murdering homeless St. David's resident Maxwell Brangman was released on bail on Thursday.

Roger Lightbourne Sr., of Tommy Fox Road, St. David's, had been in custody since he was charged on October 1.

The 41-year-old was granted his freedom by Puisne Justice Carlisle Greaves during a non-public hearing in chambers at the Supreme Court on Thursday morning.

A second man, Darronte Dill, 18, of Fenton's Drive, Pembroke, is charged with murdering both Mr. Brangman and his friend Freddie Gilbert. He did not apply for bail and remains in custody.

Mr. Brangman's body was found near the Black Horse Tavern in St. David's on September 21. Police said he died from a number of wounds to his head and body, before his body was set alight.

Mr. Gilbert's body was found the next day in the waters of Great Bay. An autopsy revealed that he died from multiple wounds before his body was immersed in water.

No further information was available yesterday about the bail application. Lightbourne's lawyer, Elizabeth Christopher, and Dill's lawyer, Rick Woolridge, both declined to comment, as did Director of Public Prosecutions Rory Field.

Both defendants are due before the Magistrates' Court for a preliminary inquiry into the case on March 18.