The Tribune

By NICO SCAVELLA

Tribune Staff Reporter

nscavella@tribunemedia.net

THE attorney for one of three men accused of murdering a 58-year-old man in the Rock Crusher area on Friday yesterday lashed out at the “criminal behaviour” of officers at the Central Detective Unit for beating his client “severely” and failing to notify him when his client was interviewed.

Allan Emmanuel, attorney for 19-year-old Elvardo Deveaux, called CDU officers “liars” for not calling him to be present for his client’s record of interview concerning the January 19 murder of Craig Trevor Smith on Maxwell Lane.

Mr Emmanuel said he was the one who took Deveaux to CDU for questioning in connection with the murder of Smith, who Mr Emmanuel said was the father of a CDU officer. He said he told officers to call him when they were prepared to interview his client, but that call never came, notwithstanding him calling them “repeatedly” on the matter.  

Meanwhile, Deveaux’s co-accused Keith Stubbs tearfully requested Chief Magistrate Joyann Ferguson-Pratt have them placed in the remand station for their safety, claiming he, Deveaux, as well as their co-accused Stephan Clarke received threats of death from prisoners while in custody. 

Devard Williams, Clarke’s attorney, told the chief magistrate that based on his instructions, his client should be a prosecution witness. 

The chief magistrate took note of both Mr Emmanuel’s claims of his client being a victim of police brutality, Mr Williams’ submissions concerning his client, as well as Stubbs’ claims, before formally closing the arraignment. 

Taking a seat in the court after being formally arraigned, Stubbs tearfully said from his seat: “Bey they know we ain’t kill no one, dog.” 

Stubbs, Clarke and Deveaux each faced one count of murder in connection with Smith’s death. 

According to initial police reports, shortly before 9pm on Friday, a group of men were at a local business on Maxwell Lane off Lightbourne Avenue when four men approached. 

An argument erupted and a few minutes later, gunshots were heard, police said. The men ran, and it was later discovered that one man was unresponsive. Paramedics were called to the scene, but were unable to revive the man, who suffered gunshot injuries to his body. He was pronounced dead on the scene. 

None of the men were required to enter a plea to the charge and the matter was adjourned for service of a voluntary bill of indictment (VBI). They were remanded to the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services (BDCS) in the interim. 

Deveaux was further arraigned on two counts of threats of death. It is alleged that on January 18, being concerned with others, he threatened Randol Armbrister and Claudeshia Ray. Deveaux pled not guilty to the charges. The matter was transferred to Magistrate Ambrose Ambrister for fixture and adjourned to February 19.