After spending close to two (2) weeks on remand at the Richmond Hill Prison, five (5) individuals who were brought before the Grenville Magistrate’s Court in connection with an alleged June 26 attack on police officers in the Mirabeau, St. Andrew area, posted bail of $5, 000.00 each, when they reappeared before the court on Monday.
Magistrate Nevlyn John had denied bail to the suspects in an effort “to preserve public order in a fragile (COVID-19) environment” on the occasion of their first court appearance.
The suspects are Javon Alexander, 25, Rockim Thomas, 25, years, Keldon Murray, 23, of Mirabeau, along with Mt. Horne residents Simmons Horsford, 31, and the lone female, jointly charged along with them is 25-year old Kanisha Alexander.
The Police Prosecution team had cited the alarming criminal history of the defendants, the serious nature of the offence, and the interest of the public in making a submission for bail to be denied to them.
Reports are that at the time of the alleged incident, the lawmen were responding to a complaint of loud music at a private birthday party that was being held without authorisation in the small village.
The officers were allegedly met by a crowd of people who began throwing stones and bottles at them, which resulted in the vandalising of two private (2) vehicles and one (1) Police vehicle, causing damages of $15, 000.00, and minor injuries to a Police Officer, whose identity was not disclosed.
Each suspect face three (3) summary charges of Damage to Property, Causing Public Terror, and Causing Harm.
Simmons Horsford and Keldon Murray, who initially appeared before the court unrepresented, have since retained Attorney-at-Law Jerry Edwin, while Javon Alexander and Rockim Thomas, who also did not have counsel on the occasion of the first hearing, were assisted by Attorney-at-Law Andre Thomas, while former Magistrate Henry Paryag is representing the lone female.
Following bail applications by the defense team, Magistrate John decided to grant bail with one (1) surety, despite continued objection from the Police Prosecution team led by Corporal Joseph Andall, who maintained his grounds for objecting to bail.
However, Magistrate John, who acknowledged the serious nature of the offences, said while “there is a lot of talk about this matter (in the public domain), “it does not mean that the court should treat it any differently.”
Although, bail was granted to the suspects in a lenient sum, the female Magistrate instructed them to “refrain from being in a public place” between the hours of 7.00 p.m. and 6.00 a.m., and to report to the Grenville Police Station between the hours of 9.00 a.m and 4.00 p.m. daily.
The matter has been adjourned to August 19.