By PAVEL BAILEY
Tribune Staff Reporter
pbailey@tribunemedia.net
A SECOND suspect accused of murdering a businessman in July was remanded to prison yesterday after also being charged with trying to kill two senior police officers during a high-speed pursuit.
Prosecutors allege Anwar Gaitor, 35, and alleged accomplice Adnan Oliver, 39, killed James McPhee on Carmichael Road on July 12, weeks before McPhee was expected to testify in Oliver’s armed robbery trial.
Gaitor is also accused of trying to shoot and kill Chief Superintendent Harris Cash and Superintendent Elvis Miller after the off-duty officers reportedly witnessed McPhee being struck by a vehicle and pursued the suspects.
The pair face one count of murder, two counts of attempted murder, two counts of possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life, possession of an unlicensed firearm and possession of ammunition.
McPhee, a husband and father of three, was found with severe lacerations and other upper-body injuries early on Sunday, two days after celebrating his 59th birthday on Independence Day.
His body reportedly also bore suspected chop wounds to the back of his head and shoulder.
Police suspect McPhee was deliberately struck by a vehicle after being physically attacked.
Chief Superintendent Cash and Superintendent Miller were travelling east in a private vehicle near Spikenard and Carmichael Roads when they reportedly saw a silver Suzuki strike McPhee as he lay in the roadway.
Police pursued the vehicle in a high-speed chase and exchanged gunfire with its occupants.
One suspect was wounded and arrested, while the others escaped.
The suspect was allegedly found with a black Springfield Armoury XD-9 pistol and five rounds of 9mm ammunition following his arrest.
Relatives said Oliver was the same man accused of robbing McPhee in 2019 before being released on bail pending trial.
McPhee, who owned a heavy-equipment and environmental-health business, reportedly subdued the alleged robber and handed him over to police on September 28, 2019.
Oliver allegedly tried to steal McPhee’s luxury watch at his trucking company in western New Providence.
McPhee was expected to testify when Oliver’s armed robbery trial began in the Supreme Court on August 10.
Prosecutors intend to apply to have McPhee’s witness statement admitted at the trial under Section 66 of the Evidence Act.
Oliver could face the death penalty if investigators determine that McPhee was killed because of his scheduled testimony.
Oliver was previously arraigned on the charges in late July.
Gaitor was not required to enter a plea to the murder and related firearm charges when he appeared before Magistrate Abigail Farrington this week.
He was informed that the matter would proceed directly to the Supreme Court through a voluntary bill of indictment.
Gaitor was also advised of his right to apply for bail before the higher court.
He is expected to return to court on October 30 for service of the voluntary bill of indictment.
Reserve Inspector Deveaux prosecuted the case.
Alex Dorsett represented Gaitor.
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