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by pltm
(PLTM) - Greenland resident, 24-year-old Dajshon Benjamin was charged with a gun-related offence and is being considered a person of interest in the recent murder in Spring Ghut, Director of Public Prosecutions Mrs. Tiffany Scatliffe-Esprit has revealed.
Benjamin appeared before Senior Magistrate Tamia Richards on Thursday, October 15 2020 via Zoom for the offence of keeping an illegal firearm, namely a Smith and Wesson.
He was granted $70,000 signed bail with two sureties and strict conditions.
“We have reason to believe that this particular firearm that was found was in connection to the said investigation that started the search in the first instance. Mr. Benjamin is a person of interest. He has not reached the suspect level yet,” Scatliffe-Esprit said.
The murder in question is that of 55-year-old businessman Matthew Daly who was gunned down in broad daylight on September 10.
The allegations outlined by Scatliffe-Esprit states that around 6 am on October 13, 2020, officers of the RVIPF as part of the murder investigation, had cause to execute a search warrant on a home in East End.
She said during the search of a ground floor bedroom of the two-story house, a loaded Smith and Wesson gun with 14 rounds of ammunition in the magazine was found in a black jacket hanging in the clothes closet.
Due to the find, police arrested and transported four persons on suspicion of keeping an unlicensed firearm to the Road Town Police Station where they were interviewed.
She further informed that three of the four persons revealed that they had no knowledge of the firearm.
However, one of those persons said on the day before, October 12, 2020, Benjamin visited the home as he usually did and left the said jacket.
He thought nothing of the jacket until the police unearthed the firearm.
The DPP said, Benjamin was then met at the Road Town Police Station, and he was interviewed under caution on the matter.
During the interview, he reportedly took ownership of the jacket and weapon. He said he intended to retrieve same later and did not inform the occupants of the home that there was a gun inside.
He was subsequently charged with the offence before the court after it was confirmed by the police that he had no license to carry the firearm.
The Crown did not object to bail on the basis that he is a BVI belonger and was not considered a flight risk, and as such the court offered Benjamin $70,000 bail.
As part of his bail conditions, he is to have no interference with the witnesses whether directly or indirectly.
He was placed on a 6 pm to 7 am curfew, and has to give up his travel documents to police, and report to the East End Police Station on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays between 7 am and 12 noon.
He is slated to return to court for the continuation of the matter on November 18. Attorney Mr. Patrick Thompson is his legal representative.
Notably, he runs a painting and landscaping business and has been convicted for possession of controlled drugs and harbouring a prisoner, namely his brother, Khori Prince.
Previous Article: One Charged After Cops Recover Illegal Firearm From Greenland Home
Officers of the Major Crime Team have charged one man with keeping an illegal firearm after a search warrant executed yesterday, October 14 on a home in Greenland uncovered the loaded handgun.
Dajshon Benjamin, 24, of Greenland is to appear in court today to face the charge. Others will likely be also prosecuted in relation to the same weapon.
Commissioner of Police says that the recent arrests in firearm-related offences is due to the commendable tenacity of his officers.
“These officers push through many hours, well beyond most of us, to bring about these arrests without public fanfare or applause. Very few will understand or appreciate the patience and diligence required. I know what it requires and will consistently give them the praise and support they are due. They deserve it,” the Commissioner said.
Investigations are continuing into the matter.
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