Robbery suspect remanded over firearm concern

A 20-year-old robbery suspect has been remanded to Dodds Prison after the prosecutor told the court that a firearm was allegedly used in the offence and another suspect is still being sought.

Javonte Rashide Marshall-Jordan of Martindales Road, Bannister Land was not required to plead to the indictable offence of robbing Shane Drax of $1 600 on Saturday.

Prosecutor Sergeant Kenmore Phillips protested his release, saying that a firearm had been allegedly used in the commission of the offence and that it has not yet been recovered.

“There is also another suspect being sought by the police in this case and there is the belief that if released, the accused could interfere or hamper investigations,” he said, adding that the strength of the evidence was good in the case.

Marshall-Jordan’s attorney Senior Counsel Angella MItchell-Gittens urged the court to find that her client was a suitable candidate for bail.

She said: “One of the objections raised was that he was in possession of a firearm. My understanding is that he was never in possession of any firearm. The investigations are ongoing. He is a young man, has no previous convictions, has never been charged and this is his first time before the court. He has a fixed place of abode. I do not think that he can stop the Barbados Police Service from finding another person when that person being apprehended will be to his benefit.

“He has been charged and we can only infer that there was sufficient evidence to charge him. I have never heard of a case where a person comes into custody, is charged and then a firearm or anything else magically appears after this person goes to prison.”

Stating that the other suspect was the subject of a wanted bulletin, Mitchell-Gittens insisted that the State’s case against her client was not strong and that he was willing to comply with any bail conditions set.

Magistrate Manila Renee denied the bail application and adjourned the case until September 25.

(JB)