The Penniston man who was repatriated from Grenada last weekend has been charged with murder.
Joel “Platinum” Barker, a 31-year-old landscaper, appeared at the Serious Offences Court on Monday, where Chief Magistrate Rechanne Browne read the murder charge to him.
He is charged that on Oct. 3, 2018 at Clifton, Union Island, with malice aforethought, he caused the death of Kareem Bowens, 23, of Richland Park by an unlawful act.
Barker is alleged to have shot Bowens in the chest between 7 p.m. and 8:40 p.m.
Bowens was taken to the Union Island Hospital, where he died.
After the shooting incident, the accused absconded from the country and went to Grenada. He was arrested by the Grenadian authorities on Nov. 3, 2018 and was subsequently charged with possession of a controlled drug, illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition and illegally entering the state.
On Wednesday, he appeared before a magistrate in Grenada who granted a removal order.
Barker was brought back to St. Vincent and the Grenadines last Friday.
During the arraignment, Senior Prosecutor Adolphus Delplesche told the court that the investigator had recorded six statements and is expected to receive several more from Grenada.
He said that this means that the investigator will have to travel to that neighbouring island, and arrangements are being made for him to do so.
The prosecutor, therefore, asked for a three-month adjournment before the commencement of a preliminary inquiry.
The chief magistrate set the preliminary inquiry for Feb. 2, 2019.
Bail was not open to Barker and he was remanded in custody.