Mason charged with shooting death of truck driver

A mason of Spring Village has been remanded to prison upon charges of allegedly shooting to death a truck driver, as well as the assault of a female auxiliary officer.

Forty-year-old Hanif Forbes appeared at the Serious Offences Court (SOC) on January 25, escorted by Investigator Sergeant 644 Malcolm Alexander.

He is charged with two offences, the first being that on January 21, at O’Briens Valley, he assaulted Lekeitha Harris Pompey of O’Briens Valley causing her actual bodily harm. The 40-year-old is alleged to have boxed the 34-year-old Auxiliary officer in her face.

Secondly, Forbes is alleged to have, on January 22, at O’Briens Valley, with malice aforethought, caused the death of Joshua ‘Cabbage’ Pompey of O’Briens Valley.

The truck driver was found in his vehicle with what appeared to be a single gunshot wound to the head. The time of death is estimated to be just after midnight.

Forbes was not required to enter a plea to either charge as both matters are being treated as being tied together.

The accused is being represented by counsel, Ronald Marks who indicated to Chief Magistrate Rechanne Browne that the defense wishes to expedite the matter by choosing the route of a paper committal. This would mean that witnesses would not have to go physically to the court to give oral evidence but a brief of the relevant documents and witness statements will be perused in court.

The prosecutor, Corporal Shamrack Pierre, told the magistrate that there are 12 witnesses so far.

Browne, noting the competence of the investigator, sought to have the matter adjourned to February 15, but the prosecutor requested more time to complete preparations.

Therefore, February 22 was set as the date of next appearance.

Just before going into the police transport that would take him away, a handcuffed Forbes asked to speak to an older woman and man for a brief moment. The officers granted this. The adults seemed to tell Forbes to be strong.