Bahamas News
02-13-05, - 11:35 PM
Alleged Rioters in Jail
Royanne Forbes
The Bahama Journal
The 18 year-old man shot in the mouth during a spell of rioting in Nassau Village two weeks ago and his parents on Friday faced a slew of charges in a Magistrate’s court for their alleged involvement in the ruckus.
Wilson Pierre, his mother Clarisine Pierre, 39, and his father, Celession Simeus, 59, of Sampson Street, Nassau Village were arraigned on eight charges including, causing harm to Police Constable 2370 Bain and 2480 Dixon on Wednesday January 26.
They where also charged with obstructing officers Bain and Dixon while they were executing their duties, causing damage to a police shirt and a police motorcycle.
In addition, the trio was charged with disorderly behavior.
Ms. Pierre, meanwhile, faced individual charges of assaulting Roscoe Thompson with a vehicle and causing damage in the amount of $150 to a police motorcycle #840.
Simeus and his son, Wilson, were also charged with throwing missiles to the annoyance and danger of officers Bain, Dixon and others.
On Wednesday, Deputy Prime Minister Cynthia Pratt during a communication in The House of Assembly described the Nassau Village upheaval as, "an uncharacteristic display of aggression, violence and social unrest."
She said, "I know Bahamians everywhere were appalled to see the vivid and disturbing news footage on the incident in Nassau Village.
"[The] footage showed rocks and stones strewn throughout the streets, smoldering vehicles, dumpsters, crates and cinder blocks; the frightening sounds of gunshots, people running to and fro and police outfitted in riot gear."
According to Minister Pratt’s report, on Wednesday 26, January at about 7:40 pm, a traffic accident occurred on Alexander Boulevard and Sampson Street, Nassau Village, involving a vehicle and a pedestrian.
Two motorcyclists were dispatched to investigate the accident.
But, while carrying out the inquires a scuffle ensued between the driver and a resident of the area. One of the officers proceeded to intervene in the dispute and was met with hostility from several bystanders.
The incident quickly erupted into a full scale uprising and police reinforcement had to be summoned.
A total of five persons were injured in the uprising.
The mob reportedly attacked and torched several vehicles, including an unmarked police vehicle containing crime scene equipment. The private vehicle of a senior police officer was also damaged.
On Friday, Magistrate Linda Virgill told the family that the charges brought before the court against them, were serious ones.
"Under these circumstances I am not granting bail because when persons are guests in a country and when you breach the law that status is called into question," Magistrate Virgill said.
"You are not being deported, but at the same time the court will suspend your status and deny you bail. You are not expected to go about your daily routine."
But, Eliezar Regnier, the lawyer of the trio charged that the court had no right to take such action because his clients were innocent until proven guilt.
He insisted that his clients were not at risk for flight.
Magistrate Virgil said, "They are indeed flight risks." She also reminded Mr. Regnier that he had the right to make an appeal to the Supreme Court.
The family was remanded to Her Majesty’s Prison on Friday until the preliminary hearing on March 11.
Royanne Forbes
The Bahama Journal
The 18 year-old man shot in the mouth during a spell of rioting in Nassau Village two weeks ago and his parents on Friday faced a slew of charges in a Magistrate’s court for their alleged involvement in the ruckus.
Wilson Pierre, his mother Clarisine Pierre, 39, and his father, Celession Simeus, 59, of Sampson Street, Nassau Village were arraigned on eight charges including, causing harm to Police Constable 2370 Bain and 2480 Dixon on Wednesday January 26.
They where also charged with obstructing officers Bain and Dixon while they were executing their duties, causing damage to a police shirt and a police motorcycle.
In addition, the trio was charged with disorderly behavior.
Ms. Pierre, meanwhile, faced individual charges of assaulting Roscoe Thompson with a vehicle and causing damage in the amount of $150 to a police motorcycle #840.
Simeus and his son, Wilson, were also charged with throwing missiles to the annoyance and danger of officers Bain, Dixon and others.
On Wednesday, Deputy Prime Minister Cynthia Pratt during a communication in The House of Assembly described the Nassau Village upheaval as, "an uncharacteristic display of aggression, violence and social unrest."
She said, "I know Bahamians everywhere were appalled to see the vivid and disturbing news footage on the incident in Nassau Village.
"[The] footage showed rocks and stones strewn throughout the streets, smoldering vehicles, dumpsters, crates and cinder blocks; the frightening sounds of gunshots, people running to and fro and police outfitted in riot gear."
According to Minister Pratt’s report, on Wednesday 26, January at about 7:40 pm, a traffic accident occurred on Alexander Boulevard and Sampson Street, Nassau Village, involving a vehicle and a pedestrian.
Two motorcyclists were dispatched to investigate the accident.
But, while carrying out the inquires a scuffle ensued between the driver and a resident of the area. One of the officers proceeded to intervene in the dispute and was met with hostility from several bystanders.
The incident quickly erupted into a full scale uprising and police reinforcement had to be summoned.
A total of five persons were injured in the uprising.
The mob reportedly attacked and torched several vehicles, including an unmarked police vehicle containing crime scene equipment. The private vehicle of a senior police officer was also damaged.
On Friday, Magistrate Linda Virgill told the family that the charges brought before the court against them, were serious ones.
"Under these circumstances I am not granting bail because when persons are guests in a country and when you breach the law that status is called into question," Magistrate Virgill said.
"You are not being deported, but at the same time the court will suspend your status and deny you bail. You are not expected to go about your daily routine."
But, Eliezar Regnier, the lawyer of the trio charged that the court had no right to take such action because his clients were innocent until proven guilt.
He insisted that his clients were not at risk for flight.
Magistrate Virgil said, "They are indeed flight risks." She also reminded Mr. Regnier that he had the right to make an appeal to the Supreme Court.
The family was remanded to Her Majesty’s Prison on Friday until the preliminary hearing on March 11.