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Bail granted to local youth imprisoned since Dec 2019 on firearm & wounding charges

A 21-year-old local male who was in custody at Her Majesty’s Prison (HMP) in Balsam Ghut since December 12, 2019, was recently granted bail by High Court Judge Richard G. Floyd. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- A 21-year-old local male who was in custody at Her Majesty’s Prison (HMP) in Balsam Ghut since December 12, 2019, was recently granted bail by High Court Judge Richard G. Floyd.

The young man, whose name was withheld by the court since references were made to his record as a juvenile and outstanding charges as a juvenile in the decision, is charged with serious offences including possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life, and unlawful and malicious wounding.

Position of Parties

The young man’s attorney Valerie Gordon had submitted that her client should be granted bail as he is a citizen of the Virgin Islands, has been a student previously enrolled at a local college, that no date for trial has been set as yet and he is at high risk due to COVID-19, since he suffers from asthma.

Crown Counsel Kristian Johnson, in responding to the application for bail, said a firearm was discharged, striking and injuring the complainant and that the Applicant was described as a danger to the community. He added that the charges are serious with a potential for a lengthy sentence if convicted.

The Court was also told that the firearm used remains outstanding, and the incident occurred in a busy public area during daylight hours.

It was also noted that the Applicant was released on bail for another offence at the time the shooting incident occurred. The youth was facing the charge of Unlawful Sexual Intercourse with a Female Under Age 16, allegedly committed between 2017 and 2018.

The Crown also pointed out that the Applicant also has a criminal record for assault causing actual bodily harm, which occurred when the Applicant was a juvenile.

$75K bail granted

Judge Floyd; however, said the Respondent failed to show cause why the Applicant should be detained and granted bail in the sum of $75,000.00 with a cash component of $25,000.00.

The conditions of the bail include that the youth shall report to the Road Town Police Station on certain days and that he shall remain in his residence daily between the hours of 8:00 PM and 6:00 AM except for medical emergencies. He is also not to have contact with any Crown witnesses or be within 100 feet of any Crown witness in this case, nor any place where any Crown witness lives, works or goes to school.

The judgement was published on the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court's website.

26 Responses to “Bail granted to local youth imprisoned since Dec 2019 on firearm & wounding charges”

  • Gun Violence (31/03/2022, 08:34) Like (25) Dislike (4) Reply
    is not being helped by judges offering weak sentences and bail..
    • Yep (31/03/2022, 10:18) Like (18) Dislike (1) Reply
      No wonder the criminals don't give a $h!t
      • @Yep (31/03/2022, 14:25) Like (8) Dislike (2) Reply
        And they don’t because they know it is a easy cake walk for them. They come out and go right back to the same thing.
    • Another failure by the DPP (01/04/2022, 02:29) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
      Why has this matter not be set down for trial. Hopeless again!
  • J (31/03/2022, 09:23) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    I am so glad that a stiff cash component was attached. Too many persons commit serious crimes expecting nothing more than a slap on the wrist when caught. Even though this individual might be young, it appears that he is a pretty dangerous character. I do hope that he has learned from his experience and has endeavoured to take a different path in life.
  • Cause (31/03/2022, 09:28) Like (13) Dislike (2) Reply

    show cause? wtf he allegedly raped someone, he allegedly attacked someone and he allegedly shot someone is that not "just cause" get this ju**** to #$%^

  • reaper (31/03/2022, 09:39) Like (8) Dislike (1) Reply
    Sorry to say it, but in approximately 1 year, they will be scraping up his remains from the pavement. He is safer in Prison.
  • WOW (31/03/2022, 09:42) Like (12) Dislike (0) Reply
    different path... doubtful. If I read this correctly he was out on bail for sex with a minor and discharged a fire arm resulting in injury? Isnt that attempted murder and wait hes out after three years.

    My money is on he will be back in jail.

    Our system is letting us down big time.
  • You know how they are (31/03/2022, 09:42) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    The thing that gets me most is the majority of times they go right back to the same place that they got caught up in before.
  • Masa Higg (31/03/2022, 09:48) Like (5) Dislike (4) Reply
    I know a thing or two about being caught with a tool. Only thing, mine was rusty and old but them man still send me balo for a good while to think about it. If anything, this youth need to really understand that life ain for anyone. Who wants to get bud 24/7? I got tired of taking it. Social services need to be actively taking care of this youth man right here.
    • Hmm (31/03/2022, 20:21) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      One thing I will say is the need to stamp out all this rape and stabbing foolishness at the prison. No one is untouchable they will wait until the wrong guy gets sent up and return to deal with the whole prison system.
  • FEO GOMEZ (31/03/2022, 10:00) Like (9) Dislike (2) Reply
    So he bussing shots in broad day wounding someone and living a criminal life. We suppose to be concerned bout his asthma? LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL anything to get a born here delinquent out of an uncomfortable situation. Put him in the garbage an absolute waste of 9 months birthing material nursery use clothes feeding etc.
  • enoch (31/03/2022, 10:30) Like (8) Dislike (1) Reply
    Yall crazy. Granted bail after all that, wow. Them still aint get the gun and ayo releasing he to go pick back up the same gun like he still dont have it hide somewhere. Going on a lil gyul and causing bodily harm. Yall SERIOUS??? Ayo lawyers and judges just as bad as the people yall LETTING go. BLOOD going be or your hands. Defending wrong while knowing that its wrong is practicing the devils work. There's a special place in hell for all the devils lieutenants and generals.
  • Peaches (31/03/2022, 11:03) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    That is a huge sum for someone/relative to put up on his behalf. I do hope he does not commit any more crimes whilst on bail because that person would lose every cent to the Government in these bitter hard times.
    Young man, please do not fail your relative or whoever put up that money on your behalf.
  • The Reaper (31/03/2022, 11:50) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    GoodMorning Vino. Hope everyone is well,,Only now he have asthma…..Well sah…Smh..Hmmmm…$25 Thousand that’s a lot money,let see if he make bail ….Ok vino. have A productive Day.
  • Worth Lesser (31/03/2022, 12:00) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    St Barths have zero unemployment, zero poverty, zero murder rate.
    They were scrambling for a living to the USVI along with the VI not too long ago.
    How did we fail ?
  • mad max (31/03/2022, 12:01) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply

    No way he should be out with that list of offences.

  • HJ (31/03/2022, 14:10) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    He was safer in balo. These days people don't go to police anymore, is street justice. He might end up and turn the wrong button and someone retaliates. Tola is not the same as before.
  • AND THE BEAT GOES ON (31/03/2022, 15:57) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    LOOKS LIKE MONEY
  • J (31/03/2022, 16:32) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    One thing with the law do not belong to them at all sad to say
  • WOW (31/03/2022, 18:18) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    While I do not agree with his alleged crimes, justice delayed is justice denied. What justification is there for the young man to be kept on remand for almost 3 years? Why isn't the case on the court docket?

    The only thing that will be left to happen is by the time the case comes up the DPP office will fail because of the length of time they allow to pass on these matters, and he might end up with time served or a lawsuit will be on the people's hands.

    Especially in straight forward matters, I can't understand the delays.
  • ras (31/03/2022, 19:04) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    What you think it will be a retaliation so look out for it
  • @ MONEY (31/03/2022, 19:45) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    yep money controls everything when you can kill in cold blood and still be free to be amongst us , is just giving bragging rights on the streets , looks the victims doesn't count , one wonders of the victim was a member of the so called JUSTICE family , what would happen ?


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