Confess to robberies or play Russian roulette

Apr 05, 2018 News

Remanded: Jerome Smartt

-detectives allegedly told accused

A labourer was yesterday remanded to prison on two robbery under arms charges after he appeared before Senior Magistrate Fabayo Azore in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.
Twenty-four-year-old Jerome Smartt, of ‘C’ Field Sophia, denied the charge which alleged that on March 29, last, at Crane Place, South Ruimveldt, Georgetown, with a handgun, he robbed Jamal Angus of $40,000, one cellular phone and other items.
It was further alleged that on the same day in question, at Prashad Nagar, Smartt while armed with a handgun he robbed Donald David of one cellular phone.
The unrepresented accused denied both charges after they were read to him by the Magistrate.
The defendant told the court, on the day in question about 07:00 hrs, he was approached by two police officers who told him that he was wanted for questioning in relation to two robberies.
He added that the police officers conducted a search on him and they found one of the stolen cellular phones. “When the police find the phone on me, I told them I found it, and one of them placed a gun to my head and told me that if I don’t confess to the robberies, they would play Russian roulette.
“Madam I’m not stupid. When I heard that they gon play Russian roulette with my life, I decided to fabricate a story and tell them that I did robbed the persons. I told them what they wanted to hear because I know when I come to court I will plead not guilty to the charges.”
Police Prosecutor Simone Payne did not disclose any facts in relation to the robberies.
However, she objected to bail being granted to the defendant citing the serious nature of the offence, the penalty the charge attracts and the fact that a weapon was used to carry out the robberies.
The prosecutor’s objection was upheld and the defendant was remanded to prison. He was instructed to make his next court appearance on April 25.

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