‘Chiefman’ beats fourth murder charge, but guilty of possessing gun with intent to murder

Lawyer Duane Daniel was seemingly left frustrated after his client Devorn “Chiefman” Charles was found not guilty of murder but guilty of possession of a gun with intent to murder.

Charles was charged that on August 2 2022, at Block 2000, Old Montrose, with malice aforethought, he caused the death of Kimron “Warlord” Hannaway by shooting him in his head and about his body.

He was also charged that on the same day and place he was in possession of an unlicensed firearm with intent to commit the offence of murder.

The matter was first brought before the court a few days after a video showing “Warlord’s” dead body, with what seemed to be a cutlass in his right hand, was shared across social media.

The cutlass was allegedly already in Hannaway’s hand when he saw key witness Paula Straker being “attacked” by dogs belonging to Charles. Hannaway came to Straker’s rescue by using the cutlass to protect her from the dogs, until Charles came and enquired about what was happening. The matter was alleged to have resulted in Hannaway being killed and Charles sustaining injuries including two lacerations to his forehand which cut through his muscle, vein and chipped his bone.

Charles appeared at High Court #1 on September 25, 2023 before Justice Brian Cottle to answer charges of murder and possession of an unlicensed firearm with intent to commit the offence of murder.

The prosecution was represented by Assistant Director of Public Prosecution Tamika Mc Kenzie-Da Silva, and Crown Counsel Rose-Ann Richardson and Maria Jackson-Richards.

However, when the jury returned their verdict and Charles was found not guilty of murder, but guilty of possession of a gun with intent to murder, Daniel was not pleased.

“I knew that was going to happen,” Daniel said as he slightly threw his hands up in frustration at the concept that his client was acquitted of the murder charge but convicted of possessing a gun with intent to murder.

Before the jury delivered the verdict, Daniel had posited that one verdict should be given for the two charges as they coincide with each other. However, Cottle held his stance that two separate verdicts be given, and as expected by Daniel, the jury returned verdicts reflecting a 50 per cent victory for both the prosecution and defence.

As for Charles, this is not his first rodeo in terms of having to answer a charge of murder. In fact, it is the fourth time he has been brought before the court, charged with the offence.

He was charged with the July 23, 2015 murder of 39-year-old Andre “Sweat” Chewitt/Durham, who was shot five times (once in his head and four times in his back) some time after 8 p.m. in front of his Upper New Montrose home. That charge was discontinued by the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) in March 2017.

Charles was also charged in November, 2016 with the September 15, 2015, shooting of Andre “Judge” Garraway/Bowens, who was killed on the spot after his body was riddled with bullets. That charge was also discontinued by the DPP in March 2017.

In 2008, “Chiefman” joined six others on a charge that he did shoot Atiba “Crimo” Walrond to death at the Shell Gas Station in Pembroke on August 28, 2008. He also walked free from that charge.

Charles will be sentenced for possession of firearm with intent to murder on October 19, 2023.