The Tribune

By LAMECH JOHNSON

Tribune Staff Reporter

ljohnson@tribunemedia.net

A JUVENILE boy and a 23-year-old man appeared in Magistrate’s Court as suspects in the murder of a 70-year-old grandmother during an early morning robbery at her home.

The 17-year-old and Kevin Whyms, both of Polhemus Street, appeared before Magistrate Joyanne Ferguson-Pratt to face charges of burglary, three counts of armed robbery, and murder.

It is claimed that the pair, around 3am on May 31, broke into the home of Telvin Freeman on Polhemus Street with intent to commit a felony.

It is also claimed that the two, while armed with a shotgun and knives, robbed Freeman, Glenroy Brown and Roderick Brown of various electronic items and accessories valued at $7,046.

They were also charged with intentionally causing the death of Mrs Belpheme Lightbourne.

Around 3am on the day in question, the family were wakened by men with knives and a shotgun who cleared the home of a television set, two laptops, two cellular phones and three watches, according to the charge.

It is claimed that as they left, one of the men fired a gun in the bedroom area, injuring Mrs Lightbourne. She was taken to the Princess Margaret Hospital where EMS personnel said her injuries were life threatening.

She died of her injuries on June 23.

Because the offences are indictable, neither the juvenile nor Whyms were required to plead. Their case will be fast tracked to the Supreme Court by a Voluntary Bill of Indictment.

That presentation is scheduled for September 17.

Before being remanded to Her Majesty’s Prison as they were ineligible for bail, Whyms asked the court to make a note for him to be seen by a physician as he had missed surgery for his hand as a result of being in police custody.

The court acknowledged his request before the two were remanded to prison.

The juvenile has retained lawyer Glendon Rolle to defend him against the charges. Whyms was not represented at yesterday’s arraignment.