Authorities in Jamaica are trying to speed up a date for the murder trial for the alleged killers of Bermudian Greg Daniels who was hacked to death on the grounds of his holiday home last summer.

Last October the magistrates Court in Hanover, Jamaica, begun a preliminary inquiry into the August 22 machete killing. But last night Detective Sergeant Paul Bernard said prosecutors would try to send the case straight to the higher court to ease the burden on overseas witnesses.

A date will be fixed on February 23 when the higher court, which visits the parish three times a year, starts its four week session. DS Bernard said he was optimistic the trial could be held in that session.

He said: "We don't have a lot of cases. We are basically crime free. The chances are it will get in the session starting on the 23rd."

If not it will likely be held in the June session. Two builders have been charged with the killing. Police said one of the accused used to work for the victim. The Hanover men ? Orlando Anderson, a 26-year-old carpenter from Dundee Penn, and Mark Campbell, a 23-year-old mason from Brissett ? have been remanded in custody.