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Suspect faces court over New Year’s Eve killing

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DENO Francis outside court yesterday. Photo: Donovan McIntosh/Tribune Staff

By FARRAH JOHNSON

Tribune Staff Reporter

fjohnson@tribunemedia.net

A 23-YEAR-OLD man was charged yesterday with murder in connection with a shooting that claimed the life of a teenager on New Year’s Eve.

Deno Francis appeared before Chief Magistrate Joyann Ferguson-Pratt accused of causing the death of 18-year-old Hollis Aranha on December 31.

According to initial police reports, shortly after 8 o’clock on the night in question, officers were alerted to gunshots by a Shot Spotter in the area of Rupert Dean Lane off Poin-ciana Drive. Officials said inquiries into the matter revealed that a man was shot several times about the body. The victim was taken to the hospital by a private vehicle and later died.

During the arraignment, Francis was not required to enter a plea and the case was adjourned to April 7 for service of a voluntary bill of indictment.

Due to the nature of the charge, he was denied bail and remanded to the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services until that time.

He has a right to apply to the Supreme Court for bail.

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