Man charged for theft and assault also facing charge of murder

A young man whose mother had begged a judge for leniency on his behalf when he was being tried for burglary in 2018, has now been charged in connection with the first murder for 2024, in St Vincent and the Grenadines.

Raheem DaSilva appeared at the Kingstown Magistrate’s Court before Senior Magistrate, Colin John on January 29, 2024 where he was jointly charged with Campden Park resident, Lenroy Miller, that on January 26, 2024 at Sion Hill they did assault Iris Phillips of Sion Hill causing actual bodily harm.

The men were also charged that on the same date and at the same place, they stole one brown lady’s purse valued EC$55.00 containing EC$100.00 in cash from the same virtual complainant.

DaSilva pleaded not guilty to both offences, while Miller pleaded guilty to the theft charge, and not guilty to assaulting Phillips.

“…the purse dropped. I go admit, I pick it up and I run, and after then the lady start to bawl ‘Oh God.’ I could admit that I pick up the purse when she raise up she hand, and I run with the purse, but me ain’t know bout no assault thing. I could explain meself because me now come out ah prison December…”, Miller told court.

Prosecutor, Corlene Samuel did not object to Miller’s bail but objected to bail for DaSilva due to an ongoing investigation involving the accused, and indicated that DaSilva will most likely be charged by the end of the week.

John then remanded DaSilva into custody and remanded Miller for one week for bail review. Both men will return to court on February 5, for sentencing.

DaSilva was taken back in court on Wednesday of the same week, charged in connection with the January 21, 2024 death of Rudolph Pollard of Redemption Sharpes.

The Senior Magistrate informed DaSilva that the matter is laid indictable, so he was not required to plea. DaSilva was unrepresented at his arraignment and the matter was adjourned and transferred to May 6, 2024 at the Serious Offences Court for hearing.

Pollard, 61, was said to have been met lying unresponsive on a side walk in Kingstown after he discharged himself from the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital where he was being treated after sustaining stab wounds to his body. According to a police report a post mortem examination revealed that Pollard died as a result of stab wounds to his stomach and head.

This will not be DaSilva’s first time answering to an indictable charge. At the age of 19, he appeared at the High Court before Justice Brian Cottle where he was charged for robbing a man of EC$2,000 in April, 2018.

DaSilva’s mother begged Justice Cottle then to give her son a second chance, and claimed that they both have had hard lives. A social inquiry report revealed that DaSilva was removed from his home by the State at four years old, due to his father abusing his mother, and that at the time of the robbery DaSilva was residing in an abandoned shack.

He was sentenced to six years in prison for the offence.