Grant paid overdue rent, rental vehicle in cash day after robbery- court
He also paid a rental company $360 for the use of a red Suzuki Vitara he and his co-accused had been using, Director of Public Prosecutions Mrs Tiffany R. Scatliffe-Esprit told the Magistrate's Court on April 29, 2021, when Shameek Grant and Akeem Hopkinson, who are jointly charged with Murder, Robbery and Possession of a Firearm with Intent to Endanger Life, made their first court appearance.
According to Scatliffe-Esprit, CCTV found inside of the accused men’s Zion Hill residence incriminated them.
She said police confiscated a digital video recorder (DVR) which showed the crime had been in the works for days.
When police reviewed the footage, the DPP said, it showed that Hopkinson entering his residence on April 16, 2021, with three other men, including his co-accused, Grant, carrying a bag containing what appeared to be the weapon used to kill Pickering, an AK-47 assault rifle.
Hopkinson was allegedly seen showing the men how the weapon worked.
The surveillance footage captured Hopkinson taking the rifle to his bedroom, in the presence of Grant and his girlfriend and on the day of the incident he left with it on a scooter.
During that time, his co-accused Grant remained in the apartment but was seen making a number of phone calls, including to his co-accused Hopkinson at 6:51 pm, which placed Hopkinson as per the cell site analysis in Paraquita Bay.
Scatliffe-Esprit said police investigations led them to the pair and arrested them while they were on the Zion Hill public road two days later.
She said a search warrant was then executed at their residence, and there police recovered a magazine containing four live rounds of 7.62 ammunition inside Hopkinsons’ room, and it was then that the DVR was found.
The DVR also showed the men counting cash on the same night of the robbery and laughing with each other; it showed two women entering the house and removing the rifle, which has not been found to this date.
When the men were re-arrested by police and interviewed, Hopkinson allegedly said, he was in the Paraquita Bay area and had the gun, which he said Grant had provided.
Robbery/murder
According to the facts of the case, the Virtual Complainant (VC) Maricel Pickering left her gas station business with a bag with $3,100 inside, and offered a ride to Shermar Richardson, her employee, who is accused of giving information to the accused men to commit the crime.
She then dropped Richardson in Gene Hill, where he lived in her father’s apartment, and gave her brother $150 from the cash.
She then drove the rest of the way to her Paraquita Bay residence alone.
When she arrived at her Pariquita Bay home that she shares with her mother, Catherine Pickering, she reportedly exited the vehicle and was startled by a male voice saying, “give me the money”.
Frightened, she then dropped the bag and fled and sought refuge behind the house.
What appeared to be gunshots were heard being discharged while she screamed for help.
It was that time her mother came out of the house and was shot in her head and chest.
The sound of a motor scooter was heard leaving the scene after the gunfire abated, and police recovered 7.62 spent shells that are normally associated with AK-47 assault rifles on the scene.
The bag containing the cash was not found.
The duo is unrepresented and is scheduled to return to court on May 27, 2021.
They were remanded to prison by Magistrate Chrislilyn Benjamin.
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135 Responses to “Grant paid overdue rent, rental vehicle in cash day after robbery- court”
let them eat dry bread an water and sleep on the cold floor lets see if them gon want to go back there
What kinda effect u think that would have on a prisoner at the same time the prison has another function which is rehabilitation.
There are people right here in BVI who are JEZEBELS. They know who they are. The difference between these ones and Jezebel of the Bible is that Jezebel was true to her god Baal but these in BVI claim to worship the true Almighty God - God and Father of the Lord Jesus Christ - by day in sight of humans but in the dark and in reality, they worship Satan, the Devil. God does eventually expose them and will continue to expose them.
My advice? Take that courageous step and confront that jezebel. You'll be glad you did.
Here is the answer to your question. They thought since police don't usually solve such crimes, they would never be caught and can continue on their merry way so turning off the cameras weren't necessary.
Suitable personalities for murderers for hire.
re.
Ik akeem since primary school days we was good friends but he always choose the wrong setta ppl to hangout with now he gah he self in shit
One life spared us years of this group in the community. Kudos to the police to not let it be in vain.
never think that low. I would agree to calling them bottom feeding PARASITES.
Perfect place as relatives are nearer.
Is the same thing i say them need to sta*v* to de**h or some sh** mehson
She is a very ambitious hard working young woman.
Those accused need to pay the price for that murder.
Foolishness. Just for $2,950. They cant even pay their rent, so how they going to pay their lawyers.
SMH..
We taxpayers just want justice. Wicked set of people.
If Ms. Pickering's daughter reads this, I know you may be blaming yourself BUT God kept you to be able to tell the tale, to give information that would have been useful to catch these selfish criminals as it appears they had it in mind to terrorize the community and already struggling businesses. Obviously, they were prepared to KILL. You saved many lives! You helped to maintain some level of peace! God be with you!
To play out the scene afterwards and fist pump?????!!!!!!???!! Some cases NEED NO JURY!!!!!!
Dont you see where it says he never left home ? Or you fuc**** blind?
Even if he was involved HE NEVER LEFT HIS HOUSE
Would the rental company have to do the same? Just asking for myself
These guys need to be checked for that broad daylight murder at Fish Bay and also see if they are connected with other murders and robberies.
Never put your hand in the frying pot(especially publicly) for anyone, child or whomever. You never know..
These rentals need to be checked. They up and down the place flexing in heavy tint. One near ran me over the other day and did not stop yet. Police make these agencies comply also and make the law applicable to ALL vehicles. NO TINT across the board.
Can’t feel sorry for people. She’s knew what was going on and didn’t had the sense to think about that baby in her stomach !
To the daughter of the deceased, Tola and the rest of the world stand with you. Stay strong and seek comfort from God, which only he can give in a time like this.
Why? man who is not a man is a turnoff.
They don’t have a job but living off persons who get up every day to make an honest living. This is so sad.
It was hopkinson that left and did the dirty work
Clearly you can see the trend of some expats kids who was born in the VI. Their behavior are worse than some indigenous kids. Parents also are to blame for the upbringing and discipline of their kids. Society and government
cannot do baby sit ppl kids.
A carbon copy of the other Caribbean islands of killing and cannibalIistic behaviour. The most heinous of crimes on a daily. The main reason for the poverty and lack of advancement. Investors are leery to invest in such places. The writing has been on the wall for a longtime. Repeatedly and predictably the same countries..one of the worst and most unforgettable crime in recent years in the VI was Guyana produced and now again with the same ingratitude and cold calculating and deliberate act. Our Gov and its' choice to build up to the extent that we are no longer the majority in our own country and "building up" with the damaged and the defective ,only for votes is to blame.
There is no coaching on the absolute hard work that must be invested in order to be successful. There is no coaching on real world business practices like understanding market availability or volatility. Or whether or not the market even wants or needs your particular dream. All you need is a desire to work for yourself and the rest is easy street! Pay me to tell you things to make you feel good and the rest will come!
When that pending wave of disappointment hits this community, we going really know what trouble is.