Murphy Valarie and Taska Joseph are now awaiting Magistrate Michael Laudat’s decision on bail following their court appearance today, charged in connection to an attempted robbery at the National Petroleum service station in Canefield.
The male and female of Curry Rest Road, Mahaut, are accused of assaulting Simon Gage in an attempt to rob him on June 12, 2023, at Canefield.
At their court appearance, the accused individuals were not required to enter a plea since the matter is an indictable offense, expected to be tried at the High Court before a Judge and jury.
At the hearing, police prosecutor, Inspector Francis Laville objected to bail pursuant to section 7:1 (e), 7:2 (c) and (e) of the Bail Act.
He told the court, the police are in pursuit of other individuals in connection to this matter and an alleged firearm used during the commissioning of the offense. According to Laville, the prosecution fears that should Valarie and Joseph be released on bail, they will interfere with ongoing investigations.
Laville further averred that it is not in the public’s interest to grant bail to the pair and asked the court to take judicial notice of the public outcry for the increase in firearm-related offenses. However, in response, attorney-at-law Wayne Norde along with defense attorney Dawn Yearwood- Stewart who represents Valarie dubbed the prosecution’s objection as “empty, weak, vague, and baseless.”
Norde told the presiding Magistrate that the request of Inspector Laville to detain “innocent” people while the police continue their investigation will not serve in the interest of justice for the accused.
“The golden rule is that the police investigate then arrest and it should not be the other way around,” Norde declared. “This offense occurred seven days ago, and the prosecution says the defendant will interfere with potential witnesses. Based on the passage of time, I don’t see how this will occur if they are granted bail.”
The defense attorney further posited, the element of the public’s interest does not apply in this case because, although the charges are of a serious nature the alleged incident attracted no public attention.
Should his client be released, Norde said, Valarie has a fixed place of abode, is employed, will attend court at every adjourned date, and will abide by any bail condition set by the court. During his bail application, the attorney called the Investigating Officer as a witness. Following a series of questions, Constable Titre stated, that the police have in their possession video footage of the alleged crime, and support the prosecution’s objection to bail as according to him, the
accused individual will apprise other suspects of the evidence that the police have obtained.
Titre further noted that Criminal Investigation Department (CID) is requesting an additional two weeks to complete their investigation. Following the bail application by the defense, Magistrate Laudat remanded Valarie and Joseph into
custody pending his written decision which will be handed down on June 20, 2023.
They playing Bonnie & Clyde. Well we know what happened to those two. Too much have we glorified the criminal lifestyle as if it is something to aspire to.
You Mr.Alibaba know a thief when you see a thief, birds of a feather know their feathered friends.You said people were committing crimes in Dominica because they were unemployed.People commit crimes because the listen to aholes like you say they do it because their are no jobs in Dominica.Typical UWP liars.
The truth hurts. Your CM is the worst example for the citizens of DA. Now stop defending the indefensible!
Boy the teefing spirit has taken over Dominica. But then again when captain stealing, senior members stealing, now kindergarten members that claim to be holy and keeping the Ten Commandments stealing, who else will not teef? Alibaba has messed up the country upside down and every damn thing is corrupt