Suspect K.H.S.R.’s pre-trial detention was suspended on the orders of a judge on Wednesday. The 20-year-old is one of three suspects in the “Amazoniet” case involving the deadly armed robbery of a Canadian tourist on Beacon Hill Road in June 2019. (File photo)
PHILIPSBURG--The Court of First Instance on Wednesday suspended the pre-trial detention of one of the suspects in the robbery-homicide of a Canadian tourist on Beacon Hill Road near Maho on June 5.
Suspects K.H.S.R. (20), G.M.S. (19) and J.S.E. (17) have been behind bars since August. They will have to answer to charges of murder and manslaughter, armed robbery that led to the victim’s death, and illegal firearm possession, during their trial, which was set for March 4, 2020.
During Wednesday’s hearing two lawyers pleaded with the Court to lift their clients’ pre-trial detention. In the case of S., represented by attorney-at-law Safira Ibrahim, the judge found sufficient reasons and grounds to keep him in preventive custody.
There are strong indications that suspects E. and S. were at the crime scene and that R. had assisted in the crime by providing a vehicle and a firearm to his alleged accomplices, among whom was his good friend S. Both S. and E. denied their involvement.
During the robbery, Canadian national Sylvain Valade was shot in his head and shoulder in his efforts to protect his daughter from any harm, and he succumbed to his wounds later at a hospital in the United States.
During Wednesday’s hearing, Ibrahim requested postponement of the hearing as she wanted not only a transcript of the interrogation of the victim’s daughter, but also a copy of the audio-video recording of the questioning. The judge granted the request and decided to postpone the trial of all three suspects until March because their cases cannot be separated, as these are closely connected.
On behalf of their clients lawyers Ibrahim and Sjamira Roseburg both filed requests to lift or suspend their clients’ detention. Their colleague Marlon Hart did not file such request. His underage client E. is currently detained at Miss Lalie Youth Care and Rehabilitation Centre.
Roseburg stated that her client R., who had attempted suicide after he was arrested, had not been near the scene of the crime but in French Quarter, wearing an ankle bracelet. She said he had lent his car to his best friend and had given him his gun for protection, as his friend had just been released from prison in Guadeloupe.
The judge declined the requests to lift or suspend “best friend” S.’s pre-trial detention. Much to his lawyer Roseburg’s delight the judge decided that R. may await his trial in freedom.
- was to be released from Pointe Blanche as soon as late Wednesday, or today, Thursday. He will have to make himself available to the Probation Office and adhere to their instructions. Also, he will be obligated to reside in Dutch St. Maarten.
The defendant and his lawyer stated to the Court that he will comply and will live with his aunt.
