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Not guilty verdicts for Simmonds Jr. & Howe!

Rodney Simmonds Jr. (right) and Mikael Howe were found not guilty today, June 25, 2012. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI - A nine member jury unanimously found Rodney Simmonds Jr. and Mikael Howe not guilty for the January 21, 2011 MoneyGram robbery this afternoon, June 25, 2012 in the High Court.

For two weeks, the duo was on trial for robbery, possession of firearm with intent to endanger a life and wounding with intent.

In light of this, Justice Albert Redhead told the young men that they were free to go. However, only Howe walked out a free man since Simmonds Jnr, who is charged with another criminal offence, has to remain in prison.

Meanwhile, the charges against Michael Stevens were dropped last Friday, June 22, 2012. His lawyer Akeela Anderson had successfully argued that the Crown did not have sufficient evidence to link her client to the robbery.

However, the other two alleged accomplices Jason Stevens and Leonard Sprauve pleaded guilty to the robbery on June 7, 2012. They pled guilty to robbery and possession of firearm with intent to endanger life, and not guilty to wounding with intent. In light of their guilty pleas, the Crown offered no evidence in the latter.

Jason and Sprave will be sentenced on July 20, 2012.

The men made headlines following the daring January 21, 2011 robbery where $193, 409.33 was taken from the Flemming Street establishment.

According to court records, the robbery occurred around 4:30 p.m. while two security officers were in the process of picking up the day’s earnings to take to the National Bank of the Virgin Islands.

Simmonds Jr. was represented by Corrine George and Howe by Yohhahnseh Cave, while Senior Crown Counsel Valston Graham and Crown Counsel Leslie Ann Faulkner appeared for the Crown.

15 Responses to “Not guilty verdicts for Simmonds Jr. & Howe! ”

  • know your friends (25/06/2012, 16:59) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    wow it this for real???
    • sl (26/06/2012, 01:30) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      look people take it or leave it our boys went through the fight with the wicked system and the system loose...let my people go!!
  • Dreadlocks (25/06/2012, 17:17) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I am surprised at this verdict. Valston can you appeal the judge's summing up
  • mother hen (25/06/2012, 18:33) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Congratulations you all had good lawyers
    • bad system (26/06/2012, 01:36) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      can some body explain to me what went wrong? tis seen like we accepting illegal activity., wid tis verdict
  • farmer brown (26/06/2012, 01:19) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    HOPE THIS SAGA IS NOW OVER FOR WE WERE GETTING SICK OF IT
  • 2 (26/06/2012, 01:41) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    i second that
  • red neck (26/06/2012, 06:58) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    This verdict is interesting what a thing to tell the king!
  • ladies sugar (26/06/2012, 07:51) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    THESE GUYS ARE VERY LUCK IF YOU ASK ME
  • jack be still (26/06/2012, 08:30) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    the verdict is Unbelievable but that is our legal system
  • teacher John (26/06/2012, 17:42) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    hope at least they have learn something
  • jesus is in control (26/06/2012, 22:58) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    free like a bird so who cares what the bloggers thinks???
  • mmario (26/07/2012, 08:22) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Don’t worry they will soon try to pull another stunt but this time around they wont be so lucky.


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