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Michael Stevens walks free!

Only a tee-shirt had allegedly linked Michael to MoneyGram robbery!
Michael Stevens was a free man since last Friday. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Michael Stevens, one of the three men who were on trial for the January 21, 2011 MoneyGram robbery, walked out of the High Court last week a free man after his lawyer successfully argued that the Crown did not have enough evidence to prosecute.

According to information reaching Virgin Islands News Online, on Friday June 22, 2012, Justice Albert Redhead informed Stevens that all charges -robbery, wounding with intent and possession of firearm with intent to endanger life - were dropped against him, but warned him that did not mean he was innocent. He was represented by Akilah Anderson.

Ms. Anderson had argued that although a tee-shirt allegedly belonging to her client was found near the robbery scene, it was not conclusive since his brother Jason could have borrowed it.

A DNA expert had testified for the Crown that it was Michael’s DNA on the tee-shirt.

This was a blow to the Crown, who lost the case yesterday June 25, when the jury returned not guilty verdicts for Rodney Simmonds Jnr and Mikael Howe.

The other two alleged accomplices Leonard Sprauve Jr. and Jason Stevens had pleading guilty on June 7 to robbery and possession of firearm with intent to endanger life. In light of this, the Crown offered no evidence on wounding with intent charge. The duo will be sentenced on July 20.

According to court records, the robbery happened around 4:30 p.m. on January 21, 2011 when two security officers had picked up the day’s earnings – $193, 409.33 – to be taken to the National Bank of the Virgin Islands. One of the security officers was injured.

10 Responses to “Michael Stevens walks free!”

  • Janet Williams (26/06/2012, 09:22) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    another one free at last!!!
  • Janet Williams (26/06/2012, 09:24) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    another one free at last
  • well sa (26/06/2012, 09:27) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    this is what is wrong with society, Do Wrong and your lawyer sets you free. NO ACCOUNTABILITY. We going hell in a fish net, not even a hand basket.
    • dude (26/06/2012, 10:10) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      What is wrong with this country is the your guilty untilproven innocent......the boy had nothing to do with it which is why they had no evidence against him. Which is what the LowerEstate communitty told them when they went for him & the big fight between them & the police occured.
  • ? (26/06/2012, 09:48) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    The truth shall send you free!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  • gee (26/06/2012, 11:32) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    the only lawyers responsible for this would be the prosecution. you cannot convict someone on mere allegations! it requires proof and if they charge they should do so on a suffciency of proof and procedure. they know the rules.
  • Make the Evidence Public (26/06/2012, 13:05) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Bet the other two are regretting not pleading guilty. Would be interesting if we the public knew what evidence was presented on both sides. What about the DNA and the phone records? Why if there was evidence suggesting they were tied to the crime did the jury find them all innocent? Was there a publication ban on the trial? Is this why we have no idea what evidence was presented before the jurors.
  • rat tail (26/06/2012, 17:40) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    bouy hold up your heard you are a free man
  • fish (26/06/2012, 23:00) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    hope he has learn to say away from bad company mehson


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