The Tribune

By PAVEL BAILEY

TWO men were arraigned in Magistrate’s Court on separate murder charges yesterday.

Raphael McKinney, 29, appeared before Chief Magistrate Joyann Ferguson Pratt on charges of two counts of murder for the deaths of Roage Bryan and Delton Brennen.

He is accused of being responsible for the shooting deaths of both victims on Thompson Lane on March 13.

The chief magistrate informed the accused he was not required to enter a plea due to the nature of the offences and that the court would proceed by way of a voluntary bill of indictment.

During the hearing, McKinney pleaded with the court for protection as he claimed that while he was in custody he was beaten by other men. McKinney, who is an asthmatic and an amputee who lost his right leg, also alleged that these men threatened to kill him, putting him in fear of his life.

He said he was put under further emotional strain from the recent shooting death of his twin brother and told the court he was still mourning the loss.

In response, the chief magistrate told the accused that he would have to inform a Bahamas Department of Correctional Services (BDCS) official of these matters and to request medication for his asthma from them.

Magistrate Ferguson Pratt also told the accused to apply to the Supreme Court for bail. Until then, he was remanded to BDCS. McKinney’s case was adjourned to July 26.

Another accused, John Ricardo Thomas, of Church Hill Avenue, also appeared before Chief Magistrate Ferguson Pratt on murder charges in the death of Garth Hall.

Police said Hall was shot several times about the body while on Fifth Street, Coconut Grove. The victim was repairing his vehicle at the time.

When officers responded to reports of the shooting around 2pm, they found Hall lying on the ground next to his vehicle suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. Hall later died in hospital.

Chief Magistrate Ferguson Pratt informed the accused that he was not required to enter a plea due to the charges against him and that the court would proceed through a Voluntary Bill of Indictment.

Thomas was also told that he would be remanded to BDCS until his next court appearance

His case was also adjourned to July 26.