Robbery-suspects remain in jail

PHILIPSBURG – Sheldon Akeem Kareem G. and Michael Haze A. remain in custody in the Pointe Blanche jail until their trial on March 14 of next year. The Court in First Instance rejected requests by the two men’s attorneys to terminate or suspend their pre-trial detention on Wednesday.

Sheldon G. is charged with two armed robberies at supermarkets on March 23 and of attempted manslaughter on police officers when he tried to escape on March 29. Michael A. is charged with the same crimes and also with another armed robbery that took place on April 16. The men are furthermore accused of destroying a car.

The girlfriend of 26-year old Sheldon G. has still to be heard as a witness at the request of Michael A.’s attorney Sjamira Roseburg. An earlier attempt to hear this witness failed, because the girl did not show up; the public prosecutor mentioned March 14, 2018 as the first possible opportunity for the trial.

Roseburg questioned the reliability of the witness she wants to hear. “My client has been detained for already more than 6 months based on her statements. I insist on hearing the witness but I also demand a faster trial.”

The prosecutor said that the only possibility for an earlier date is to have an additional court session.

Attorney Remco Stomp asked the court to terminate or suspend the pretrial detention of Sheldon G. based on his personal circumstances, saying that his client has been detained for more than nine months. Roseburg put in the same request for 24-year old Michael A., saying that the witness is unreliable and inconsistent in her statements. “There is no hard evidence, only vague suspicions.”

The public prosecutor maintained that there are sufficient serious objections against the release of the two defendants. The judge agreed with the prosecutor and rejected both requests.