MOTHER CLAIMS SON INNOCENT OF MURDER ACCUSATION

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Court Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

A MAN was sent to prison yesterday in connection with the fatal shooting of a former gang member last month.

Billy Martin, 30, is accused of killing Dominique Berry as he drove to work. He was charged with murder before Magistrate Shaka Serville.

Around 7am on January 17, Berry was driving his silver coloured Nissan Note when someone cut him off on Infant View Road.

After blocking Berry’s escape, it is said the suspect got out of his vehicle and opened fire on the 33-yearold victim before fleeing in his own car. Berry, who was known to have previous gang affiliations, was later pronounced dead at the scene.

Martin was not required to enter a plea in court and was informed that his matter would be transferred to the Supreme Court by a voluntary bill of indictment (VBI).

The accused was told that while the magistrate lacked the jurisdiction to grant him bail, he had the right to apply for it in the Supreme Court.

It was at this time that Martin’s mother told the magistrate that her son was innocent. She further claimed that while Martin had recently been released from prison he was allegedly at home at the time of the murder.

In response to this Magistrate Serville advised the defendant’s mother to seek an attorney to assist in this matter going forward.

Before being taken into remand at the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services the accused was allowed a brief moment with his mother in court.

Martin’s VBI is slated for service on April 28.

American Man Granted Bail On Gun Charges

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Court Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

AN American man was granted $12,500 bail in court yesterday after he was accused of bringing a firearm and ammunition into the county last month.

Kaz Morgan Jones, 29, appeared before Magistrate Samuel McKinney. There he faced charges of possession of an unlicensed firearm, possession of ammunition, importation of a firearm into the Commonwealth of The Bahamas and importation of ammunition into the country. On January 27 it is alleged that Jones imported a firearm and ammunition into New Providence. It is further alleged that on January 30 police found Jones with a black .40 M&P Smith & Wesson pistol with the serial number HUM5584. At the time of his arrest, it is further said that Jones had eight unfired .40 rounds of ammunition. In court the accused pleaded not guilty to all charges. He was granted $12,500 bail. His trial is set for February 27.

MAN PLEADS ‘NOT GUILTY’ FOR THEFT AND ARMED ROBBERY

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Court Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

A MAN was remanded to prison yesterday in connection with a series of armed robberies and a housebreaking in the nation’s capital over the last two months.

Stephen Greene Jr, 30, stood before Magistrate Algernon Allen, Jr, on 17 theft-related charges. He faced six counts of armed robbery, six counts of receiving and one count of attempted robbery, housebreaking and stealing each. Greene is also accused of two counts of garroting.

Another man, Harold Brown, 40, represented by attorney Alphonso Lewis, also faced Magistrate Allen Jr on two charges of receiving in connection with these robberies.

On December 24, 2022, being concerned with another it is alleged that Greene tried to steal Rebecca Walker’s black backpack valued at $100. On the same day Greene is further accused of spraying mace on Christine Barochin and Dan Walker to make them incapable of resistance.

Then on January 14 on Bayview Drive, Greene is accused of breaking into Neil Dames’s home. There it is said he stole 65-inch and 50-inch Samsung TVs as well as a wifi box and Firestick, with these items altogether being valued at $1,413.94.

On January 17, 21 and 22, Greene, while armed with a handgun, is said to have robbed Shari Gluckman, Michael Gluckman, Nicholas Maris, Janis Maris, Ross Salmon and Taresa Salmon at various times. During these armed muggings it is said that Greene stole a variety of luxury items, including iPhones, MacBooks, various jewellery, wallets and purses as well as over $1000.

Finally on January 22 and 25 both defendants were accused of being in possession of some of these stolen goods.

While both defendants pleaded not guilty to the lesser charges, the indictable armed robbery charges will proceed to the Supreme Court by way of Voluntary Bill of Indictment.

Although Greene was denied bail at this time and remanded to prison, Brown thanks to the intervention of his attorney was granted bail at $5,000. Under the conditions of his bail Brown is expected to sign in at Carmichael Police Station every Wednesday by 6pm.

Both defendants are expected to return to court for their VBIs and continuation of their matters on March 31.