Bail denied for five accused in attempted robbery at South Rivers

The five were charged that on July 16, 2024, at South Rivers they had in their possession an unlicensed firearm; unlicensed ammunition; used a firearm in the commission of a robbery; committed attempted murder and armed robbery; and caused over $3000 worth of damage to the property of the General Employees Cooperative Credit Union (GECCU) branch in South Rivers. The property damage includes two metal and glass doors, a deadbolt lock, and a skylight.

After the charges were laid against the group, Prosecutor Renrick Cato objected to bail. Cato told the court that he is quite aware that the offences for which the accused are charged, are bailable but asked that the men be remanded for one week.

Cato said that the offences are serious and the matter is still being investigated. He said as well it is alleged that two firearms were used in the commission of the offences but only one was recovered.

He said that prosecution is fearful that if the accused are granted bail, they will hinder or disturb the investigation.

Lawyer Grant Connell said that the prosecution is “somewhat bordering an oxymoron,” as manslaughter is also a serious offence where there is a loss of life and investigations are conducted for months.

Connell then questioned if the investigations in this matter would be still going on after one week.

“You see any charge of discharge of firearm?” he further questioned.

Connell told the court that the prosecution is denying these men their right on an assumption.

He argued that to remand these men in custody is to “strap the State with an unnecessary liability to feed these five people”.

“Has the prosecution looked at the state of the accused?” Connell asked, as he pointed to the bandages on Dopwell’s right hand, right foot and forehead.

The other accused, who nodded in agreement with the lawyer identified parts of their bodies that were injured as well. Continuing Connell said that Dopwell has suffered significant injuries and was told to return to the doctor in three to four days to get a A computed tomography(CT) scan.

Connell also said that Dopwell is suffering with internal bleeding. “I can go one step further and say how he get the blows,” Connell told the court.

He said that it is unknown if Dopwell’s skull is cracked due to the blow he received in his head. Connell said there is “no charge of loss of life or loss of blood” that is laid against the accused, and they have already suffered physical injuries so “it will be ludicrous to entertain the prosecution’s application.”

Connell said there is a reason why bail measures have strict conditions. “They are innocent until proven guilty,” he pointed out.

He asked that the men be granted bail and that an adequate surety appear on their behalf. He also asked for reporting conditions, and that a curfew be imposed on the accused.

Connell noted that there was no loss of life in this matter and yet bail is granted for manslaughter where a life has been lost.

“I didn’t make the law. I don’t break the law, and I can’t change the law,” he said, adding that he is only a practitioner.

After considering submissions from both prosecution and defense, Senior Magistrate John denied bail for the accused and adjourned the matter to July 29 2024 for bail review.

The injured persons were ordered to be taken to the hospital for medical attention.