No bail for men charged with attempted murder
Two more men have been charged with the attempted murder of Jawanza âSangaâ Fraser, but unlike Jomorni âSmall Manâ Tash, who was charged last week, they have been denied bail.
Colin âCocoaâ David and Recardo âShrekâ McFee were charged with, in the area of Paulâs Lot on October 15, attempting to take the life of Fraser, while having in their possession an illegal firearm in the commission of the offence and using this firearm with intent to commit murder.
When they appeared in court on Monday, prosecutor Adolphus Delpleche, on being asked if he objected to bail, said that it is to be noted that this was Davidâs third charge before the court with regard to firearm offences.
This is in reference to the fact that David had already been on bail for two firearm related offences, alleged to have been committed on May 5 and more recently October 18.
Delpleche said the firearm used in the October 15 offence was âstill at largeâ and asked that the defendants be âremanded while investigators continue the prowl for the firearm.â
He also recommended that since the offences are all firearm related offences that the Chief Magistrate could look at the âclimate presently existing in our country as it relates to firearm offences.â
In response, defense lawyer Grant Connell said it would be a âlopsided day for justiceâ if bail was not granted to McFee and David, considering that Tash had already received bail the week before. He also stated that the prosecutionâs claim about the âgun huntâ was not made at Tashâs hearing last week and such a hunt would be more âlike a fishing expeditionâ and âlike looking for a needle in haystack.â
McFee, who decided to make a plea to the Chief Magistrate, echoed his lawyerâs statement about justice being lopsided if he were not granted bail.
He stated that he was shot at in Diamond on October 14 (referring to the recent incident in which eight people were shot and one died) and told the police everything about it, but (up until that point) nothing had been done. He said, on the other hand âsome drug dealer got shot up and Iâm in the box already.â
He pleaded âIâm asking for bail please,â saying he did not even know the guy (speaking about David) in the witness box with him.
Chief Magistrate Rechanne Browne-Matthias said that due to the circumstances and nature of the offences she âcannot discount what is happening at the momentâ and remanded both in custody until November 3. On this date bail will be reconsidered.(KR)