By FARRAH JOHNSON
Tribune Staff Reporter
fjohnson@tribunemedia.net
A MAGISTRATE yesterday ruled that a Royal Bahamas Defence Force marine who was accused of pulling a gun on his former girlfriend and her new lover has a case to answer.
Demeko Simms was arrested after his former partner and her current boyfriend told police he pointed a gun at them when he visited the woman’s residence on December 20, 2020.
He denied two counts of assault with a deadly weapon when he first appeared before Magistrate Samuel McKinney and maintained not guilty pleas during his trial.
When Sergeant 3216 Percy Patton took the stand yesterday, he said he facilitated a meeting with Simms and the male complainant the day after the incident was alleged to have taken place.
Sgt Patton said during the meeting, the man stated Simms pointed a black and silver coloured handgun at him while he was at his girlfriend’s Key West Street residence. Still, the court was told that the accused denied the allegations during the meeting and insisted he never had a gun on him.
The court was told that when Simms was given a chance to tell his side of the story, he told police his former lover was standing outside her door and he was standing in front of her. Sgt Patton said Simms claimed he asked her if she had a man inside the house before he noticed a male walking out of the room. According to Sgt Patton, Simms said the girl then started screaming that she had a boyfriend, which prompted him to leave the residence.
When Sergeant Jewel Gray testified, she said she too held a meeting with Simms and the female complainant. Sgt Gray said during the meeting, the woman said she was at home with her boyfriend when Simms, who came there “unannounced”, produced a firearm and threatened to kill her.
Corporal 3214 Melbert Munroe was the final police witness to give evidence. He said when he interviewed Simms in custody, the accused denied all of the allegations made against him.
Yesterday, Simms was represented by attorney Bjorn Ferguson. When he cross-examined Cpl Munroe, he asked him if it ever came to his attention that Simms was a RBDF marine who would have been out to sea for quite some time. In response, Cpl Munroe confirmed that Simms indicated the same in his interview.
After the prosecution closed their case, Mr Ferguson argued the evidence before the court was tenuous. He also contended Simms’ former girlfriend was embarrassed that he caught her cheating so she “orchestrated a scheme to save face”. He said in view of these facts, his client should not be called upon to answer to the charges.
Nonetheless, Magistrate McKinney said based on the evidence of the two complainants, the court found the accused did have a case to answer.
As a result, Simms said he would give sworn evidence and that he also planned to call witnesses to testify on his behalf.
The case continues on August 30.
Commenting has been disabled for this item.