The Tribune

By LAMECH JOHNSON

Tribune Staff Reporter

ljohnson@tribunemedia.net

THREE men started the New Year in prison after being arraigned in connection with two separate murders in 2013, one that occurred at a “Bring the Peace Back in Bain Town” party when seven persons were hospitalised in the shooting.

Arthur Carey, 31, of West Street and Godfrey Minnis, 26, of Rupert Dane Lane appeared before Chief Magistrate Joyanne Ferguson-Pratt on Tuesday, New Year’s eve, in connection with the December 16, 2013 shooting incident at the “peace” party on Rupert Dean Lane.

Carey and Minnis faced a charge of murder and seven counts of attempted murder.

It is claimed that they intentionally caused the death of Tervorin Johnson and tried to kill seven others in the process.

The seven alleged victims of attempted murder were: Paul Roberts, Javon Nixon, Solomon Seymour, Timothy Taylor-Johnson, Ricardo Forbes, Davina Ferguson and Curtis Thompson.

On the night in question, a group of persons were attending the party on Rupert Dean Lane when a number of armed men opened fire on the group, then fled the area on foot.

The victims who were shot were taken to the Princess Margaret Hospital by ambulance. Tervorin Johnson died of his injuries the following morning.

Carey and Minnis were not required to enter a plea to the indictable offences. They were told that on March 13, their case would be fast-tracked to the Supreme Court for trial through a Voluntary Bill of Indictment.

The question of bail did not arise for the accused men as in November 2011 parliament removed the lower court’s discretion to grant bail in capital cases.

Before being remanded to prison, Minnis claimed that a cousin and his girlfriend could vouch that he was innocent of the charges.

Carey claimed that while in police custody, he was denied access to his lawyer despite repeated pleas for them to contact him.

The chief magistrate made a note of their complaints.

Prior to this arraignment, another man faced Chief Magistrate Ferguson-Pratt on a murder charge concerning a fatal shooting last August.

Dyon “Studda” Henry, 22, of Sir Lynden Pindling Estates was alleged to have intentionally caused the death of Robert McIntosh on August 31, 2013.

McIntosh was shot and killed in Freeman’s Subdivision as he was walking home.

Henry’s case is also set to be forwarded to the Supreme Court for trial. His Voluntary Bill of Indictment will be presented on March 13.

He was remanded to Her Majesty’s Prison without bail to await trial.