A 20-year-old man was on Monday brought before the Kingstown Magistrate’s Court, charged with last Friday’s shooting death in the Central Leeward town.
Joel King was charged with the murder of Billy Adams, 32, who was shot and killed at a shop in Swamp Gut, Layou, around 8:35 p.m. Friday — just under two years after he survived another gun attack.
King was not required to plead to the indictable charge and was remanded into custody until Thursday, when he will appear before the Serious Offences Court in Kingstown.
On Thursday, the Serious Offences Court will set a date for a preliminary inquiry.
Senior Prosecutor Adolphus Delplesche told the court that the investigating officer, Detective Corporal Biorn Duncan, had indicated that he would have about 14 witnesses in the matter.
Adams died on the spot after being shot in the back while hanging out at a shop with his girlfriend and other persons.
Police said he had what appeared to be a shotgun wound to the left side of his back.
Investigators concluded that his attacker had gained access to the property by scaling an embankment to the back of the building.
Adams was a witness in a pending trial for a September 2012 murder for which he was also charged.
Andy Quashie, 26, of Layou, had been committed to stand trial for the Sept. 1, 2012 murder of fellow Layou resident, Joseph “Evans” Lynch.
Lynch, a 38-year-old fisherman, was shot and killed in the street in Layou around 1 p.m.as he made his way home from the beach, some days after he was shot at while fishing.
Lynch’s death was said to be in retaliation to a murder that had resulted in one of his brothers being jailed.
Adams, then, 26, along with Adolphus Foye, then 17, and Andy Quashie, 26 at the time, were charged with Lynch’s murder.
However, Foye and Adams were freed of the charge, while Quashie was committed to stand trial and Adams was to be a witness.
Police are said to be working with a theory that Adams’ murder is linked to an ongoing spate of violence in the Central Leeward town.
Adams was shot three times in October 2016 and last June, Matthew Quashie was sentenced to 20 years in jail after a jury found him guilty of attempted murder, wounding with intent, and two firearm-related charges, in connection with the attack on Adams.
Adams’ death brings to 16 the homicide count in St. Vincent and the Grenadines for 2018.
Look at him.a face of a real me on and a criminal.
No time to waste, excellent job guys no breeding space for criminals.
Too bad your parents found “breeding space” for you.
I have a major problem with the following:
1. A crime which occured in 2012 is still awaiting trial. This is very concerning
2. As a result of #1, a witness was unprotected for 6 years. Were those in authority hoping that “good luck” or “dispensation of justice” alone would have preserved the life and safety of a key witness? The lay man and John Public may say “he last long!!”
3. When are we gonna be serious about the dispensation of justice i.e the length of time a defendant has to wait to be tried (presumption of innocence still remains), the length of time witnesses and virtual complainants and their families have to deal with the harsh realities and the effects the delay of justice have on communities, individuals and families?
I often wonder with the lack of proper (if any) witness protection, who will be so bold to remain witnesses? Wr just saw a man categorically state he is not a state witness and his failure to testify resulted in the acquittals of several accused. Do I blame him? I really dont.
The entire justice system needs an urgent revision. I truly wish that the government will focus more on our local justice system instead of this sudden injection of enthusiasm as to our final appellate court.
Fix home first so we can hopefully limit the need for appeals in the first place.
The travesty of justice in SVG is disheartening.
Is that really a photo of the face of a 20 year old? Myyy Goodness, what happened there? Wonder what kind of lifestyle may have caused that? Smh!
His face tells it all, he should face the gallows if convicted.