By PAVEL BAILEY
Tribune Staff Reporter
pbailey@tribunemedia.net
A MAN awaiting trial for a 2022 murder in Exuma was denied bail after being accused of stealing a car in New Providence earlier this year.
Alcott Fox, 32, was denied bail by Justice Darron Ellis in connection with the alleged theft of a black 2013 Kia Optima on January 31.
The vehicle was valued at $8,000.
At the time of the alleged offence, Fox was on bail awaiting trial for the November 2022 murder of Malik Fernander.
Prosecutors opposed Fox’s bail application, arguing that he was not a suitable candidate for release. They cited the fact that he was on bail for murder at the time of the alleged theft, the seriousness of both offences and his relevant antecedents.
Fox was sentenced to three months in prison last August for violating his bail conditions.
Fox maintained his innocence in relation to the latest charge and argued that he was a suitable candidate for bail. He claimed an ankle-monitoring report exonerated him, but the report was not before the court.
His attorney argued that prosecutors had produced no evidence that Fox would abscond, interfere with witnesses, obstruct justice, commit further offences or fail to comply with bail conditions.
Counsel also submitted that the murder charge should not be treated as proof of guilt or used as a substitute for evidence that Fox posed a flight risk.
While Justice Ellis acknowledged the presumption of innocence, he found that Fox had failed to respect the trust placed in him when he was granted bail because he was accused of committing another offence while on release. The judge also found that Fox had antecedents involving violence and dishonesty.
Justice Ellis denied bail after finding that Fox posed risks of absconding and reoffending and that there were insufficient conditions that could mitigate those risks if he were released.
Fox was informed of his right to appeal the decision.
Stanley Rolle represented Fox, while Xandrell Bain and Tanesha Rolle appeared for the prosecution.
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