Pembroke murder suspects appear in court

Scores of curious onlookers converged outside the Serious Offences Court on Wednesday in the hope of getting a glimpse of four of the men charged with the murder of Atiba “Crimo” Waldron on August 28, 2008.{{more}}

Charged were: Roland Gumbs, 22, Computer Technician, of Arnos Vale, Kimani Williams, 24, DJ, of Chateaubelair, Jawanza Fraser, 29, Labourer, of Paul’s Avenue, and Orman Hannaway, 25, also of Paul’s Avenue.

Marlon Stokes, 28, of Layou, had been the first to be charged with Waldron’s murder. He appeared at the Serious Offences Court on August 4, 2008, and was remanded in custody.

Before his arrest, accused Hannaway had been out on $55,000 bail after he had pleaded not guilty to possession of 166 pounds of cannabis on June 30, 2008.

Chief Magistrate Sonya Young remanded the men to Her Majesty’s Prison until December 4, when the Preliminary Inquiry will get underway.

Waldron, 28, of Paul’s Avenue, became this country’s 20th murder victim during a daring midday shooting at the Shell Gas Station in Pembroke. He succumbed to numerous gunshots about his body, including his head, back and arms.

Police reported that around 12:45 p.m., Waldron, along with two other men, including accused Gumbs, pulled up at the service station in a Suzuki Escudo jeep (RQ549) to buy fuel.

It is alleged that just moments after the jeep stopped, a car drove alongside them and a person or persons alighted the car and sprayed the vehicle with bullets. Waldron tried to run, but was shot in his attempt to escape. He was met face down at one of the gas pumps lying in a pool of blood.

Gumbs and the other occupant of the jeep escaped the ordeal unharmed.

Meanwhile, a sixth man, former national footballer Benford Joseph of Redemption Sharpes, was charged yesterday in connection with the murder. (KW)