The Tribune

By LAMECH JOHNSON

Tribune Staff Reporter

ljohnson@tribunemedia.net

RELATIVES of a 15-year-old arraigned on a murder charge yesterday asked the court for the boy to be protected from a remand prisoner accused of a murder that the boy had witnessed.

The 15-year-old of Yellow Elder Gardens was one of three juvenile boys remanded to prison without bail after they were charged in Magistrate’s Court yesterday in connection with two separate murders.

The minor, in shackles, stood before Chief Magistrate Roger Gomez facing a murder charge as his sobbing grandmother and aunt stood next to him.

It is claimed that he, on Friday August 31, intentionally caused the death of 19-year-old Elijah Roberts.

Roberts of Major Road was outside his home that evening when he was approached by a gunman and shot. He died at the scene. Chief Magistrate Gomez told the accused and his relatives that he was not required at that stage to enter a plea to the charge.

He also told them that because of the charge, he was not eligible for bail and would be remanded to Her Majesty’s Prison until the completion of his trial before the Juvenile Court, which begins on December 4 in Court No. 2.

The aunt, based on what she had been told by her nephew, claimed that he had been beaten while in police custody.

She also made a startling revelation to the court.

“My brother got killed last year in 2011 and he” pointing to her nephew, “is a witness to it” the magistrate was told.

“And the person who did it, he is in jail,” she added, starting to sob.

Chief Magistrate Gomez understood what she meant and told her to write down the name on a piece of paper for the policemen in court who would ensure that the juvenile does not come in contact with the man on remand for her brother’s murder.

The boy was then handcuffed and escorted out of court.

Following his arraignment, two 17-year-old boys, stood before the chief magistrate also facing a murder and armed robbery charge, in connection with a shooting death and robbery in May of this year.

There were no were parents or relatives present to stand for them when their names were called, and as a result, a Social Services representative had to step in on their behalf as the murder charge particulars were read to them.

It is claimed that they, on May 12, caused the death of 19-year-old Hueton Lloyd Jr.

Lloyd Jr of Trinidad Avenue, Elizabeth Estates was gunned down in the area of Cordeaux Avenue. He died at the scene.

It is further claimed that the pair robbed Lloyd Jr of $200 cash and personnel items before shooting him.

They too were not required to plead to the charges.

A Voluntary Bill of Indictment will be served against them on December 10 to have their case fast tracked to the Supreme Court for trial.

At this point the mother of one of the teens arrived at court, apologized for being late, and indicated that she had just left work. She asked to know what her son was being charged with. The charges were re-read to her.

Following this, the teens were remanded to prison without bail. The magistrate informed them that they could apply for bail to Supreme Court, as his court could not grant bail.

Before the arraignments of the three minors, 25-year-old James Armbrister of Nassau Village was charged in connection with the September 3 murder of Jesnal Roberts.

Armbrister, represented by Roger Gomez II, was not required to enter a plea to the charge and was remanded to prison without bail until the completion of his trial.

A Voluntary Bill of Indictment will be served on him on March 13, 2013. Before he was remanded, his attorney claimed his client was beaten by police while in custody at the Central Detective Unit.

Also arraigned in court yesterday was 21-year-old Ricardo Davis of Thompson Lane.

Davis, represented by attorney Michael Kemp, faced a charge each of armed robbery and attempted armed robbery. The alleged offences occurred at Hampton Street.

It is claimed that Davis, on September 2, robbed Dominique Ashe of a $130 Samsung cell-phone, a gold chain and cross charm together valued at $224,

It is further claimed that he attempted to rob Valention Babbs.

He was not required to enter a plea to these charges. He will be served with a Voluntary Bill of Indictment on December 10.

Mr Kemp claimed that not only was his client in police custody for eight days, but was also a victim of police brutality. Davis lifted his arms in a twisted motion, revealing scars along them.

Mr Kemp requested his client be seen by a physician and also that the court order a copy of the medical report be given to him for the defence of his client.

The chief magistrate acknowledged the request and made the order before remanding Davis to prison without bail as he was not eligible for the bond in the Magistrate’s Court.