By DENISE MAYCOCK
Tribune Freeport Reporter
dmaycock@tribunemedia.net
FREEPORT – Seven men accused of raping a 23-year-old woman in Bimini were flown to Grand Bahama, where they were arraigned in Freeport Magistrates’ Court yesterday.
Tericco Smith, 31; Desmond Thomas Greenslade, 26; Ridge Farquharson, 20; Natico Symonette, 20; Charma Cox, 21 and Brentone Livingston Brookes, 18, all of New Providence, and Fabian Garrett Major, 27, of Long Island, were charged with rape.
The men appeared in Court Three before Deputy Chief Magistrate Helen Jones. Only four of them were represented by counsel at the arraignment held around noon.
Carlson Shurland represented Cox and Smith; Rawle Maynard represented Brookes, and Nassau attorney Calvin Seymour represented Greenslade.
It is alleged that on February 2, the accused men being concerned together did have sexual intercourse with a female resident of North Bimini without her consent.
The men were not required to enter a plea to the charge.
Mr Seymour requested that the matter be transferred to New Providence, where six of the men currently reside.
Magistrate Jones made note of his request and said she would forward it to the Chief Justice who will have the final say.
According to reports, all of the accused men were employed as contract workers for construction at Resorts World Bimini.
A police van carrying the men arrived at the courthouse building around 9am yesterday.
As the van pulled into the western parking lot, some of the men attempted to conceal their faces by putting hoods over their heads.
They were handcuffed in pairs and quickly escorted by officers in the courthouse.
The men have been remanded to Fox Hill Prison and the case has been adjourned to May 6, when a preliminary inquiry will be held to determine if there is sufficient evidence for them to stand trial in the Supreme Court.
Commenting has been disabled for this item.