The Tribune

By LAMECH JOHNSON

Tribune Staff Reporter

ljohnson@tribunemedia.net

TWO men convicted of conspiring to rob John Bull Bay Street’s store will be sentenced next week after they were found guilty and a near six month trial came to an end.

Yesterday the sentencing of Jonathan Armbrister, 35, and David Collins, 32 was put down to November 7.

Collins, of Cowpen Road and Armbrister, of Elizabeth Estates were accused of robbing John Bull’s Bay Street store last May of 12 watches, together worth $395,360.

During the raid, a masked man used a hammer to smash open the display cases and steal the luxury watches.

An accomplice was armed with a rifle and a third man had driven a getaway car.

A third man stood trial with the pair when the trial opened in May this year.

However, Jasper Curry was acquitted of armed robbery in August when Justice Charles directed the nine-member jury to return a 9-0 not guilty verdict against him.

Curry, who was on bail, was told by Justice Charles that he was free to go while Collins and Armbrister would still be prosecuted.

On Wednesday the nine-member jury delivered verdicts on charges of conspiracy to commit armed robbery, armed robbery, and other charges related to the incident.

Both Armbrister and Collins were found guilty of conspiracy to commit armed robbery.

Jurors found Armbrister guilty, 7-2, while they were split 6-3 on Collins.

However, on the second count (armed robbery), both Armbrister and Collins were found not guilty — 6-3 for Armbrister, 5-4 for Collins.

Collins, who was charged with receiving, (third count), was found guilty, 6-3 by the jury.

Armbrister was also found guilty of receiving (fourth count) by the jury on a count of 5-4.

Both were found not guilty of the fifth count, causing damage. Armbrister’s count was 6-3 and Collins’ 5-4.

In the end, verdicts that were found to have a count of 5-4 were not accepted because they represented a hung jury — to be valid a majority verdict of at least 6-3 was required. Justice Charles, after discharging the jury, said further legal issues would be dealt with in her courtroom at another time.

Yesterday no submissions were made as Justice Charles said Armbrister and Collins would face sentencing on November 7 concerning the charges they were convicted of.

Armbrister and Collins were remanded to Her Majesty’s Prison.