Four persons arraigned on murder charges at first criminal assizes of 2018

On the first day of the first criminal assizes of 2018, four persons on murder charges were arraigned.

Martin ‘Jahson’ James and Ricardo ‘Shrek’ McFee, linked to the October 7, 2016 killing of a 10-month-old baby and the shooting of the baby’s parents, while allegedly in the process of targeting one Monty Hillocks, were formally charged at the High Court last week Tuesday.

It was the second time the two were charged with the offences of murder of 10-month-old Mozari Lee of Glenn, the attempted murder of Hillocks, and unlawfully and maliciously wounding Shelly-Ann Durham and Mozart Lee of Glenn. When each of the charges was read, the two repeated ‘Not guilty’ each time.

Neither James nor McFee had a lawyer, James saying he had only seen his lawyer once since being remanded and would choose to proceed without him, and McFee saying he would choose to represent himself.

Justice Brian Cottle asked the two to make arrangements to get lawyers quickly, further saying that McFee would not be representing himself and saying, “If it goes to trial, you’re going to have a lawyer.”

Following this, former journalist Junior Jarvis, remanded since the February 14, 2017 shooting death of banker Randy Lawrence of Arnos Vale, was charged with six offences. He was charged with causing the death of Lawrence and using a firearm in the commission of this offence. He is further charged with entering the dwelling house of Jozette Smith, having in his possession a gun and attempting to murder Smith. Further, he is charged with the abduction of his ex-girlfriend Arisha Pompey, and using a firearm to do so. Lastly, he is charged with assault causing actual bodily harm to Pompey. Maintaining innocence, Jarvis pleaded not guilty to all charges laid against him.

Although his lawyer was not in court at the time he was arraigned, Jarvis indicated that he was to be represented by lawyer Ronald Marks, a difference to his legal representation in the court below, where his lawyer was Israel Bruce. It was also noted that there was a lengthy list of witnesses to be heard at the Jarvis trial.

Lastly, Veron Primus, who first shot to notoriety, in a case wherein he was charged with the kidnapping of Vermont resident Mewanah Hadaway in 2016, was also subsequently charged with the murder of real estate agent Sharleen Greaves, which occurred in 2015. Greaves was found stabbed to death in her Bijou Real Estate office at Arnos Vale.

Primus was first charged before the High Court last Tuesday with the murder of Sharleen Greaves between November 11 and 14, 2015 and pleaded not guilty.

He said that he was “weighing his options”, in relation to whom he would choose as his lawyer.

All matters were set to be heard at the next criminal assizes, which would be after the Easter break.(KR)