The Tribune

By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

A 26-year-old Holmes Rock man was arraigned on charges of armed robbery and murder in the Eight Mile Rock Magistrate’s Court yesterday.

Kevin Dames is the fifth person charged in connection with killing Barry and Sheena Johnson of Deadman’s Reef, West Grand Bahama.

Four men – Paul Belizaire, 29; and Devaughn Hall, 22, both of Pinedale, Eight Mile Rock; Allan Alcime, 22, of Hanna Hill, Eight Mile Rock; and Virgill Hall, 22, of Grenfell Avenue and Columbus Drive, Freeport – were charged last week in connection with the double homicide.

Dames was brought to the courthouse around 10.30am under heavy police guard. Like the other four, he was wearing a bulletproof vest.

A small number of people were seated inside the courtroom during the arraignment. A woman believed to be a relative of the victim was visibly overwhelmed by grief on Dames’ arrival in court.

As Dames stood in the prisoner’s dock, Magistrate Gwen Claude read the charges against him. He was not represented by counsel.

It is alleged that on September 12 at Deadman’s Reef, Dames being concerned with others, was armed with an offensive instrument, namely a handgun, rifle, and shotgun and robbed the victims of a set of keys and a GMC Truck, valued at $8,006.

It is also alleged that on the same date and place, while being concerned with others, Dames murdered the victims. The Johnsons were found shot dead in their home earlier this month.

Dames was not required to enter a plea to the charges. Prosecutor Supt Wendell Deveaux objected to bail. He said that the matter could be adjourned to December 3, when the four others who were previously charged are expected to appear for trial in the Supreme Court.

Dames was denied bail and remanded to the Department of Correctional Services in New Providence.

A small crowd gathered outside the courthouse to get a glimpse of Dames as he was quickly escorted into a police van and taken to Freeport.