A man who stood bail for his brother now has to forfeit $20 000 after the accused repeatedly failed to show up to the High Court to answer charges of endangering life, use of a firearm, and criminal damage.
“We have to send a message that you cannot just go and sign bail for persons and then don’t fulfil your obligations,” said Madam Justice Pamela Beckles as she issued a warrant of arrest for Brian Chuckie Marville, whose listed address is Madison Terrace, Deacons Farm, St Michael.
The judge told surety Adika Ajamu Marville, who signed a $150 000 bail bond for his brother, “Your obligations when you signed the bail for him was to see that each and every time the matter came on for hearing that he turned up.
“That is your obligation anytime you sign bail for anybody. That’s why I always say think about it seriously…. If he had respected you, he wouldn’t leave his uncle’s home and not even notify you.”
The accused is charged with unlawfully and maliciously discharging a firearm in public, placing Carlisle Carrington in danger of death or serious harm; using a firearm without a licence; and damaging Carrington’s car either intentionally or recklessly. The offences allegedly occurred on October 19, 2018.
The surety stated that his brother was supposed to be staying with their uncle, but after contacting the relative, he was unable to provide the accused man’s current location.
“He said he has not seen him,” Adika told the court, stating that he didn’t know where the uncle lived and had made no further attempts to locate his brother.
“I haven’t seen him in the last couple of weeks, maybe a month so. I figure I still ain’t going to see him, so it don’t make no sense,” he continued, admitting that he also had no working telephone number for his brother.
Justice Beckles said she was not satisfied with the surety’s responses.
“I was a little lenient with you last week. I was trying to work with you, so when they wanted to forfeit some money from you, I said give you a chance to try and track down the accused. But I am not satisfied with your efforts to do that, and you will have to fork up some money. I always say think twice before ya’ll sign bail for anybody,” she said, even as she urged the surety to try his best to locate his brother.
The judge ordered that the funds be paid in by November 6. Failure to do so will result in the surety spending six months in prison.
“You would sign bail again?” Justice Beckles asked him.
“Never,” he replied.
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