By PAVEL BAILEY
Tribune Staff Reporter
pbailey@tribunemedia.net
A MAN accused of murdering a businessman who was due to testify against him in an armed robbery trial was remanded to prison yesterday after also being charged with trying to kill two senior police officers during a high-speed pursuit.
Prosecutors allege that Adnan Oliver, 39, killed James McPhee on Carmichael Road on July 12, weeks before McPhee was expected to testify in Oliver’s armed robbery trial.
Oliver is also accused of attempting to shoot and kill Chief Superintendent Harris Cash and Superintendent Elvis Miller after the off-duty officers reportedly witnessed McPhee being struck by a vehicle and pursued the suspects.
He faces one count of murder, two counts of attempted murder, two counts of possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life, possession of an unlicensed firearm and possession of ammunition.
McPhee, a husband and father of three, was found with severe lacerations and other upper-body injuries early Sunday, two days after celebrating his 59th birthday on Independence Day.
His body also reportedly bore suspected chop wounds to the back of his head and shoulder.
Police suspect he was deliberately struck with a vehicle after being physically attacked.
Chief Superintendent Cash and Superintendent Miller were travelling east in a private vehicle near Spikenard and Carmichael Roads when they reportedly saw a silver Suzuki strike McPhee as he lay in the roadway.
Police pursued the vehicle in a high-speed chase and exchanged gunfire with its occupants.
One suspect was wounded and arrested, while the others escaped and remained at large.
Oliver was allegedly found with a black Springfield Armoury XD-9 pistol and five rounds of 9mm ammunition following his arrest.
Relatives said Oliver was the same man accused of robbing McPhee in 2019 before being released on bail pending trial.
McPhee, who owned a heavy-equipment and environmental-health business, reportedly subdued the alleged robber and handed him over to police on September 28, 2019.
Oliver allegedly tried to steal McPhee’s luxury watch at his trucking company in western New Providence.
McPhee was expected to testify when the armed robbery trial began in the Supreme Court on August 10.
Prosecutors intend to apply to have his witness statement admitted at the trial under Section 66 of the Evidence Act.
Oliver could face the death penalty if investigators determine that McPhee was killed because of his scheduled testimony.
Prosecutors further allege that Oliver breached his bail conditions while awaiting trial on charges of armed robbery and possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life.
He allegedly failed to report to his local police station for 81 days between January 3 and July 8.
Oliver was not required to enter a plea to the murder and related firearm charges when he appeared before Magistrate Abigail Farrington.
He attempted to plead guilty to the bail violation charge, but the court entered a not guilty plea after he disputed the prosecution’s account of the offence.
Oliver was informed that the murder case would proceed directly to the Supreme Court through a voluntary bill of indictment.
He was also advised of his right to apply for bail in the Supreme Court.
Oliver is expected to return to court on October 30 for service of the voluntary bill of indictment.
His bail violation trial is scheduled to begin on August 11.
Assistant Superintendent of Police Kendrick Bauld prosecuted the case.
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