Sherman Williams (left) & Jevone Demming (backing) making their first appearance at the Magistrates Court on October 5.
Photo Credit: BVI Platinum News
Sherman Williams (left) & Jevone Demming (backing) making their first appearance at the Magistrates Court on October 5.
Photo Credit: BVI Platinum News
Jevone Demming, one of the men charged with the attempted murder of Neil St. Rose, was successful in his bid for bail in the High Court.
Demming, 23, along with his co-accused Sherman Williams, 32, were denied bail in the Magistrate's court on October 5 by Magistrate Tamia Richards. Demming and Williams were unrepresented at that time.
However, through his lawyer Patrick Thompson, Demming later moved to the High Court for bail. A hearing was held today, October 19 before Justice Albert Redhead who granted him $150,000 bail signed with two sureties and $20,000 cash.
Demming was also ordered to surrender his travel documents, stay away from the witnesses and report to the Road Town Police Station twice per week.
The other accused, Williams did not apply for bail in the High Court.
The men, who profess to be cousins, are jointly charged in relation to the shooting incident outside Virgin Gorda's Rock Cafe on September 30 that left St. Lucian native, St. Rose, 37, hospitalized with multiple gunshot wounds.
Attorney-at-law Thompson applied for bail on the grounds that Demming avers that he fully intends to attend the Magistrate's Court and/or the High Court to contest the charges laid against him; he is ready, willing and able to abide by any and all such conditions which the Court may deem necessary to impose on the grant of bail; he is not a flight risk; and is unlikely to interfere with the course of justice or pose a threat to witnesses.
At the October 5 hearing, both men pleaded with the Magistrate to grant bail, but Prosecutor Sarah Benjamin had objected to bail.
During their bail application in the Magistrate's Court, Demming, who resides at the Valley, Virgin Gorda, told the court that he has a five-month old baby and would like to be considered for bail, noting that he had someone to stand surety.
Williams, who had first refused to address the court, decided to enter a bail application after the court heard from Demming. Williams said he has four children ages 10, 9, 7 and 4. He asked the Magistrate to consider bail.
Magistrate Richards said she could not grant bail on the grounds that a firearm was been used in the commission of the crime and has not been recovered as yet. She further stated that the allegations are serious and since the shooting occurred in a public place, there could be eyewitnesses, an indication that the men could interfere in the investigations.
She also cited the severity of the punishment if found guilty of attempted murder, which is life imprisonment.
In setting out the allegations on October 5, Benjamin stated that on September 30 at about 12:50 am, the defendants visited Rock Cafe where a party was being held. According to Benjamin, while at the party, the defendants and St. Rose had an argument, but it was resolved by patrons who were at the party.
Benjamin stated that between 4:00 am and 5:00 am, the defendants left the dancing area of Rock Cafe and went outside to the parking lot where a fight started between Williams and St. Rose. According to Benjamin, at some point during the fight, Demming joined in. She said Williams then pulled a gun from his waist and shot St. Rose. Benjamin said that the two men then left the scene.
St. Rose was taken to the clinic on Virgin Gorda before he was transported to Tortola for further medical treatment at Peebles Hospital.
According to Benjamin, St. Rose was shot in the neck, chest and abdominal, but also sustained a wound to his private part as a result of one of the three shots he received.
Benjamin said that search warrants were executed on the homes of Williams and Demming, but nothing in relation to the warrants were found.
The Senior Crown Counsel also said that Williams was taken into custody on October 1. On October 2, Demming visited the Virgin Gorda Police Station where he was informed of the allegations. Benjamin said both men told police that they were in a fight with St. Rose, but did not shoot him. They were subsequently charged for attempted murder.
The men will return to the Magistrate´s court on November 1.
