The Tribune

By SANCHESKA BROWN

Tribune Staff Reporter

sbrown@tribunemedia.net

THE country’s most recent murder victim was acquitted less than three months ago for attempted murder and causing harm.

Franklyn McMinns, 29, was fatally shot in the chest early Sunday morning.

However, the location and circumstances surrounding his death are still unknown to police.

According to reports, around 5am on Sunday, police received a report that a man was taken to the Princess Margaret Hospital suffering from gunshot wounds.

When police arrived at the hospital, they saw McMinns’ lifeless body with a gunshot wound to the chest. He became the country’s 49th murder victim this year.

McMinns was acquitted in February for attempted murder and causing harm.

Prosecutors allege that McMinns, with another man while acting together, attempted to murder Mario Bethel and caused bodily harm to Garth Harrison on April 29, 2012.

Both men were acquitted after the prosecution were unable to locate the virtual complainants.

According to a local newspaper, before discharging McMinns, Judge Indra Charles warned him to “be careful”.

McMinns, however, was no stranger to the courtroom. He was also acquitted of attempted murder in 2012 and possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life.

It was claimed that on October 31, 2010, McMinns shot Luc Dupre at Hutchinson Street. Dupre was on the corner when a man got out of a Honda Accord and opened fire with a 9mm pistol and continued shooting as the victim ran to a neighbour’s house.

After McMinns was acquitted on those charges he told The Tribune: “Only thing I can say is put your trust in God. That’s all I will say.”

Anyone with information on this homicide is asked to contact police at 911 or 919, the Central Detective Unit at 502-9991 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 328-TIPS.