The Tribune

By LAMECH JOHNSON

Tribune Staff Reporter

ljohnson@tribunemedia.net

TWO men were remanded to the Fox Hill correctional facility yesterday after being arraigned in connection with two separate murders.

Lathario Missick, 29, of Malcolm Allotment stood first before Chief Magistrate Joyann Ferguson-Pratt who informed him that he was charged with murder under Section 291 (1B) of the Penal Code, Chapter 84 concerning the January 3 death of Calderon Hall.

A charge under this section does not attract the discretionary death penalty by a Supreme Court judge if a jury finds him guilty of murder.

When asked if he understood the charge, he said: “I understand the words but I don’t know what’s going on, ma’am.”

Hall was sitting in his Honda Accord at Deliverance Way off Malcolm Road, when a man armed with a handgun fired several shots at him before fleeing on foot. He was taken to hospital where he later died of his injuries.

The accused, who did not have a lawyer present, was further charged with two counts of possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life with the victims being Johnny Gueirrier and Advardo Ferguson.

“For these offences, you are not required to enter a plea,” the chief magistrate added.

He is to return to court on March 23 for presentation of a voluntary bill of indictment to fast-track the case to the Supreme Court.

“Do you understand that the AG’s Office will be reviewing the file?” the judge asked

“I ain’t know nothing. I didn’t do nothing,” Missick replied.

“Well we’ll see what the AG’s Office says when they review the file,” the chief magistrate added before remanding him to the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services without bail.

However, Missick reiterated his innocence, adding that he “was around the corner and they (police) accused me for something I ain’t do”.

The chief magistrate asked him if he had an opportunity to consult an attorney. Missick said he was unable to because police rushed him to court after 72 hours in custody.

In another arraignment, 24-year-old Anthony Ferguson was charged with murder under Section 291 (1A) of the Penal Code, which attracts the discretionary death penalty.

The Dorsette Alley resident is accused of intentionally causing the death of Arthur Culmer, who was fatally shot on Dorsette Alley on Christmas Eve. The accused said he was also shot on that day.

Ferguson will also return to court on March 23 for presentation of a voluntary bill of indictment.

Chief Magistrate Ferguson-Pratt asked Ferguson how he came to be injured. The accused said he was shot on Christmas Eve and had been hospitalised for two weeks as a result.

He said he was to undergo surgery today for his arm, but doctors had informed him that the bullet could not be removed.

The chief magistrate said she would make a note that he be allowed treatment and receive surgery while he is on remand.