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UPDATE: Kavarne Richards remanded for Cornel M. Francis’ murder

Kavarne Richards, 28, has been remanded to prison today October 13, 2014 after he appeared before Magistrate Ayana Baptiste-DaBreo following his arrest in relation to the murder of Cornel Melbourne Francis which occurred on May 9, 2013 at Long Look Sticket. Photo: Team of Reporters
The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force confirmed in a press release today October 10, 2014 that two men, Kavarne Richards, 28 and Andraes Norford, 23, have been arrested in relation of the murder of Cornel Melbourne Francis (inset) which occurred on May 9, 2013 at Long Look Sticket. Photo: VINO/File
The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force confirmed in a press release today October 10, 2014 that two men, Kavarne Richards, 28 and Andraes Norford, 23, have been arrested in relation of the murder of Cornel Melbourne Francis (inset) which occurred on May 9, 2013 at Long Look Sticket. Photo: VINO/File
Yan Edwards was allegedly upset at the fact that he was not successful in his attempt to murder Melbourne Francis in March 2011, the High Court was told today October 10, 2013. Photo: VINO/File
Yan Edwards was allegedly upset at the fact that he was not successful in his attempt to murder Melbourne Francis in March 2011, the High Court was told today October 10, 2013. Photo: VINO/File
Attorney at Law Mr Stephen R. Daniels was able to bring out some interesting information regarding ammunition used as part of the investigation in the conspiracy to murder case currently before the courts. Photo: VINO/File
Attorney at Law Mr Stephen R. Daniels was able to bring out some interesting information regarding ammunition used as part of the investigation in the conspiracy to murder case currently before the courts. Photo: VINO/File
Rodney Simmonds Jr (in photo), along with Yan Edwards, is accused of conspiring to murder Melbourne Francis on March 13, 2011. Photo: VINO/File
Rodney Simmonds Jr (in photo), along with Yan Edwards, is accused of conspiring to murder Melbourne Francis on March 13, 2011. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Kavarne Richards, 28, has been remanded to prison today October 13, 2014 after he appeared before Magistrate Ayana Baptiste-DaBreo following his arrest in relation to the murder of Cornel Melbourne Francis which occurred on May 9, 2013 at Long Look Sticket.

He is to return to court on December 12, 2014 when the matter is to continue.

Richards is being represented by Attorney at Law Stephen R. Daniels.

See previous story published on October 10, 2014:

UPDATE: Kavarne Richards, Andraes Norford arrested - Police

- for May 2013 murder of Cornel Melbourne Francis

ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI - The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force confirmed in a press release today October 10, 2014 that two men Kavarne Richards, 28 and Andraes Norford, 23, were arrested in relation of the murder of Cornel Melbourne Francis which occurred on May 9, 2013 at Long Look Sticket.

Police in a release said that Norford is being held in custody by the St. Kitts authorities subject to extradition proceedings for his return to Virgin Islands to also face murder charges.

Both arrests were as a result of ongoing investigations by detectives of the Major Crime Team. Kavarne Richards is the brother of Yan Edwards who along with Rodney Simmonds Jr. faced trial for conspiring to murder Francis back in 2011.

According to the release, Commissioner of Police David Morris made note of the promise he made at the beginning of 2014 to continue reviewing the outstanding unsolved murders within the Territory and bring the offenders to justice.

“Working closely with the Director of Public Prosecutions we are arresting, charging and prosecuting those individuals who brazenly carry out these vicious murders within the Territory with no thought for either the victim or their families. These two recent arrests bring the total to six persons who are facing charges for murder and one for manslaughter in 2014 alone," he said.

"Murder investigations are complex requiring dedication and tenacity however we will continue to investigate all our outstanding murders and if necessary go beyond the borders of the BVI to bring the offenders back for trial,” said the Commissioner in the release.

See previous story published on October 10, 2013:

UPDATE: Ammo for test fires not in RVIPF books – High Court hears

- Detective Inspector Nigel Niven claimed to have collected the ammo from USVIPD with no paper trail

ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Attorney at Law Steven R. Daniels was his usual self in the High Court of the Virgin Islands yesterday afternoon October 10, 2013 when he grilled Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) Detective Inspector Nigel Niven during the trial for Yan Edwards and Rodney Simmonds Jr.

Mr Daniels was able to bring out some interesting information regarding ammunition used as part of the investigation in the conspiracy to murder case currently before the courts.

Detective Inspector Niven of the Major Crime Team of the RVIPF was the fourth person called to the witness box by the Crown yesterday.

The Crown is being represented by Senior Crown Counsels Valston Graham and Leslie Ann Faulkner.

Attorney at Law Mr Stephen R. Daniels, who is representing Mr Edwards, was startled by the responses he had received from Niven during cross examination. Daniels sought answers as to instructions given to an officer of the RVIPF for the use of a particular firearm, the source of six live rounds of ammunition used in the firearm, the source of the ammunition, and records of same.

Responding to the questions posed by the attorney Niven said the RVIPF does not have the specified arms or ammunition. He told the court that under such conditions assistance is usually requested from the United States Virgin Islands Police Department (USVIPD). In the related case, the USVIPD allegedly had volunteered to provide the RVIPF with six live rounds of 7.62 ammunition.

What was seen as troubling to the attorney was the fact that Niven said he had personally traveled to the USVI where he collected the ammunition from the USVIPD and did not find it necessary to leave any paper trail.

Niven further told the court he did not have any documents, not from the USVIPD, not with Customs, not in the books of the RVIPF, neither in any statement as it relates to the case before the High Court.

The court was told that the firearm and ammunition, which according to Niven, Officers of the RVIPF are not trained to use, was used to conduct test fires as part of a forensic investigation to match those allegedly used in the alleged shooting incident on March 13, 2011.

The trial continues today October 11, 2013 in the High Court of the Virgin Islands.

See previous story posted October 10, 2013

Edwards was angry for failing to execute Melbourne Francis - Court hears

-Conspiracy to murder trial of Yan Edwards & Rodney Simmonds Jr begins in High Court today, Oct. 10, 2013

The trial for Rodney Simmonds Jr and Yan Edwards, who are accused of conspiring to murder Melbourne Francis on March 13, 2011 began in the High Court of the Virgin Islands today October 10, 2013.

Senior Crown Counsels Mr Valston Graham and Ms Leslie Ann Faulkner are appearing on behalf of the crown in the trial being heard by Justice Vicki Ann Ellis.

Simmonds Jr and Edwards have pleaded not guilty to the charge of conspiracy to murder and while their trial is being done simultaneously, Graham said the cases are to be considered separately.

The Crown intends to rely mainly on the evidence of two witnesses who were allegedly part and parcel of the conspiracy to commit murder. One of the witnesses was allegedly the custodian of the firearm used to shoot at Francis.

The court heard that on March 13, 2011 while Edwards was at a location in East End, Tortola, he had called one of the witnesses and told him to contact Simmonds and the plot to murder Francis was allegedly decided upon.

On the day in question, it was alleged, Francis was driving motor car PT 43 in the vicinity of Nottingham Estate public road when he was allegedly shot at by Edwards who was in another motor vehicle.

Francis allegedly put up his hand and suffered an injury to one of his fingers from the shots fired at him. He reportedly drove to the East End Police Station where he reported the matter.

Edwards was allegedly upset at the fact that he was not successful in his attempt to murder Francis, the court was told.

One of the witnesses, who has not been charged in the matter, had allegedly hid the firearm at his grandfather’s residence following the incident and had failed to properly carry out the instructions of Edwards to dispose of the items used during the incident. Clothes and a pair of gloves believed to be used in the attempt to murder Francis were recovered by ranks of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF).

The firearm was also recovered.

One of the police witnesses in the matter recalled visiting the scene at Nottingham Estate Public Road on Monday March 14, 2011 where he did a forensic examination and allegedly discovered a round of ammunition and spent shells. 

He also told the court that when he went to the East End Police Station, he observed what appeared to have been bullet holes on the vehicle driven by Francis. The Motor Car PT 43 was collected by the witness and transported to the Road Town Police Station, the court heard.

Rodney Simmonds Jr is being represented by J.S. Archibald and Co. while Yan Edwards is being represented by Attorney at Law Stephen Daniels.

The trial for Simmonds Jr and Edwards is expected to last approximately seven days.

Rodney Simmonds Jr has been incarcerated for two and a half years awaiting trial while Edwards is currently serving a life without parole sentence.

Meanwhile, Melbourne Francis aka Trouble was shot and killed at The Stickett in Long Look on May 9, 2013.

44 Responses to “UPDATE: Kavarne Richards remanded for Cornel M. Francis’ murder”

  • jj (10/10/2013, 14:08) Like (12) Dislike (6) Reply
    this is painful for all famliies
  • ccc (10/10/2013, 15:28) Like (7) Dislike (2) Reply
    when will this saga end?
    • Carez (11/10/2014, 19:09) Like (6) Dislike (2) Reply
      Man...I hope those two go away for a long long time. Murderous non caring for life animals. People like them don't live long because they going t a place where nobody is going to take their crap...lights out!
  • POPE (10/10/2013, 15:59) Like (5) Dislike (8) Reply

    how this man get caught up in this mess...

  • I swear (10/10/2013, 16:13) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply

    He and God knows the Truth

  • willy wonka (10/10/2013, 16:22) Like (1) Dislike (12) Reply
    Imagine, you got life for a seperate incident. Now you have to come court again hmmm ayo going to kill the man stress cells.
    • Guest (10/10/2013, 19:49) Like (21) Dislike (1) Reply
      You mean he was killing his own stress cells when he apparently failed on his first attempt to kill Francis. He is heartless and reeks of evil.
  • west (10/10/2013, 18:23) Like (12) Dislike (1) Reply
    this generation of yuth will drop down there parents
    • foxy (10/10/2013, 21:15) Like (17) Dislike (1) Reply
      Has anyone done a study as to why a little island like this has so many criminals?
      • eastender (10/10/2014, 18:49) Like (18) Dislike (3) Reply
        The study resulted in GREED and JEALOUSY
      • answer (11/10/2014, 05:26) Like (10) Dislike (9) Reply
        The importation of human workforce from a pool where the predisposition to evil is a known reality and is evident. The multiplying effect on these islands produced and is producing a scary new set of Belongers and Tortolians who will fulfill the global belief about the innate devil qualities of the Black race.
        We also imported illiteracy prostitution,huge rats,dengue and chikinunga.
        The next damning step will be independence.
        • Ajic (14/10/2014, 03:15) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
          I agree with you. We have to be very careful about the type and calibre of people we import into our country. Many of them have criminal records and have the propensity for criminal behaviour
      • VG 1 (11/10/2014, 05:45) Like (7) Dislike (2) Reply
        @ Foxy
        The answer to your question is a very short one. " DRUGS , MONEY and GREED" . When God done with this little B.V.I , I don't think there will be anyone left to wonder why or what the sh!t really happened here.
  • teacher john (10/10/2013, 19:17) Like (8) Dislike (9) Reply
    Hope when this is over deeds young people will learn that crime and drugs do not pay and respect your parents
    • Cocaine Biceps (11/10/2013, 08:39) Like (8) Dislike (15) Reply
      It does pay you just have to be smart and discreet. I'm still doing numbers!
      • Yes (10/10/2014, 18:59) Like (13) Dislike (4) Reply
        @cocaine biceps…. discreet my backside….just from your name alone its apparent you want flex your false identity. Probably slingin lil sticks and stones and ain crunchin no kyna weight. Hope you wasnt dumb enough to post from a phone or from a computer thats yours or owned by someone who knows you. Tracking you down ain hard after they lift your ip address, date,time and location of your post. All yall wanabe, tv watchin, facebookin gangsters gettin set up all da time thinkin you bad. Money is to be made from people goin to jail and land also becomes available when ain got nobody to inherit it so talk dat MR DISCREET. smh….
        • lmao (11/10/2014, 14:29) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
          U couldn't said it any better . Real clown dry snitch n on him self.
          All the tv he's watch n the fool 4 got 2 watch the investigative channel. He would of seen that's one way 2 catch stupid fools like him.
          Ur computer is a id tag!!! Lmao
        • hushpuppy (13/10/2014, 08:44) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
          @LOL, stop trying to sound smart you well know that just saying something doesn't mean you can be arrested for it, and the bvi isbn't so advanced as to track a guy's ip in any case if i was him an was doing something less than reputable i would be behind some kind of protection like that nsa guy
      • heart bruised for youths (11/10/2014, 11:21) Like (6) Dislike (43) Reply
        The word of God declares 'whatever is done in darkness will come to light'. It is only a matter of time my friend. God cannot lie.
    • @ teacher john (14/10/2014, 13:22) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Please Please! I beg of you "teacher", the word is "these" not "deeds". We definitely have to learn to spell and not write how we speak. While I'm at it, no-one is saying to yank but let's try to be grammatically correct in our speaking.
  • george w. touch (11/10/2013, 06:24) Like (23) Dislike (6) Reply
    Mr. Valston Graham should be hired as the DPP
  • vv (11/10/2013, 10:48) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
    the wages of sin is death
  • x factor (11/10/2013, 12:15) Like (1) Dislike (18) Reply
    What nonsense is this again Mr. Naven?
  • one eye (11/10/2013, 13:56) Like (2) Dislike (39) Reply
    Just the usual crime of another banana republic?
  • R.E.A.L (11/10/2013, 15:59) Like (4) Dislike (20) Reply
    Tell me not, in mournful numbers, "Life is but an empty dream!" For the soul is dead that slumbers, And things are not what they seem. Life is real! Life is earnest! And the grave is not its goal; "Dust thou art, to dust returnest," Was not spoken of the soul. Not enjoyment, and not sorrow, Is our destined end or way; But to act, that each to-morrow Finds us farther than to-day. Art is long, and Time is fleeting, And our hearts, though stout and brave, Still, like muffled drums, are beating Funeral marches to the grave. In the world's broad field of battle, In the bivouac of Life, Be not like dumb, driven cattle! Be a hero in the strife! Trust no Future, howe'er pleasant! Let the dead Past bury its dead! Act,--act in the living Present! Heart within, and God o'erhead! Lives of great men all remind us We can make our lives sublime, And, departing, leave behind us Footprints on the sands of time; Footprints, that perhaps another, Sailing o'er life's solemn main, A forlorn and shipwrecked brother, Seeing, shall take heart again. Let us, then, be up and doing, With a heart for any fate; Still achieving, still pursuing Learn to labor and to wait.
  • Tell dem is say so......... (14/10/2013, 09:20) Like (6) Dislike (54) Reply

    that faggit name lil ro* need to stay up there..... yan need to turn on he and beat sense out of he...... but then again.... yan dont have much sense either

  • save the bvi (11/10/2014, 05:28) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    Change the demographics of the dominant workforce.
  • long look me come from (11/10/2014, 10:34) Like (9) Dislike (26) Reply
    I am in shock still of kaverne. What you and yan doing tryin to kill yo mother. God don't sleep. To be proven guilty or not. I hope you are not apart of it. You will have to go and rest up with yan up balsalm ghut. Lord have percy on these young boys in long look. You did not give life to take life. Your freedom is over until the outcome of this. No more street walking for you.
  • big pop get free (11/10/2014, 11:02) Like (15) Dislike (4) Reply
    free
  • LYFE (11/10/2014, 14:25) Like (9) Dislike (34) Reply
    Most people do things with a expectation not 2 b caught so, they have no intentions of the repercussions n aftermath of their offenses. Thinking bcuz they hide, sneak, n creep 2 kill say n 2 themselves the police won't catch me now that u r caught what's go n through ur mind?
    If u r found guilty can u handle the fact that u will b spend n the rest of ur life n prison?
    That's the cold hard facts now deal with it!!!
  • watcher (13/10/2014, 08:36) Like (6) Dislike (4) Reply
    praying for you to be proven innocent kavarne, keep ya head up
  • st Kitts (13/10/2014, 14:45) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    Andraes Norford also being investigated in St Kitts for murders http://www.winnfm.com/news/local/10090-police-arrests-bvi-fugitive
  • Mark (13/10/2014, 16:13) Like (4) Dislike (11) Reply

    Edwards and Richards. Cut from the same cloth. . Damn the day when capital punishment was removed from the books.

    • @ Mark (13/10/2014, 17:12) Like (3) Dislike (5) Reply
      stop pre judging the boys they are angles
      • Really? (14/10/2014, 14:28) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
        @ Mark - Exactly what type of 'angles' are they? Are they acute, reflex, straight or obtuse angles. Perhaps right angles? What a set of dunces posting on these local blogs!!
  • 1 (13/10/2014, 19:54) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    GOD HELP US ALL
  • Money Talks (14/10/2014, 11:36) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    $100,000 you say? I would have talked too.
  • chad (14/10/2014, 11:58) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    cannot believe what I am reading you really cannot judge a book by its cover
  • up (14/10/2014, 14:20) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    Crime in the bvi up under ndp


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