Attorney-at-Law Tamika Harris is to represent 23-year-old Rushane Barnett, who is charged with the murder of five family members in Cocoa Piece, Clarendon, last week.

When Barnett appeared in the Home Circuit Court in Kingston on Tuesday (June 28), he was not represented.

The matter was brought back before the court today (June 30), and it was announced that legal representation was settled.

Barnett is charged with the murder of his cousins, 31-year-old Kimesha Smith and her four children.

Their throats had been slashed.

Following the incident, Barnett fled the scene and went to Trelawny, where he was held by police.

The prosecution gave notice this week that it will be seeking the death penalty, if he is convicted.

A psychiatric evaluation has been ordered for Barnett.

He has been remanded until his next court appearance on July 28.