Two men accused of committing a slew of crimes in southern New Providence over three-months are now behind bars after a magistrate refused yesterday to grant them bail.
Jamaal Arnold McSweeney, 20, of West Street, the Grove; and Cycil Nathaniel Williams II, 22, of Pinewood Gardens, were charged before Magistrate Renee McKay in connection with several crimes, including armed robbery, house breaking, burglary, stealing, and the rape of four women, including a police officer.
According to court documents, between December 2005 and March 27 of this year, the men allegedly committed the offenses, but they pleaded not guilty.
It is alleged that McSweeny and Williams broke into the home of a 29-year-old woman in southern New Providence on Friday March 24.
The woman and her 36-year-old housekeeper were reportedly forcibly detained, raped and robbed.
It is further alleged that the accused, while armed with a handgun, stole items from the woman’s home including: one DVD player valued at $100; an assortment of DVDs valued at $200; an assortment of name brand clothing valued at $800; a $200 Motorolla cell phone and $840 cash.
It is alleged that the men stole a gold watch valued at $50, and a $500 Bahamas Government work permit from the housekeeper.
Police said that later on that same day, the men raped two young women of Faith Gardens, at knifepoint, then robbed them of $4,775 worth of jewellery; a Royal Bahamas Police Force warrant card and other miscellaneous items.
A day later, between 8am and 3:40pm, police allege that Williams unlawfully entered a Carmichael Road residence, where he stole an assortment of jewellery valued $12,600.
According to court documents, Williams also stole a black shotgun from the home of Kirklyn and Rico Brown.
On the six of last month, Williams was allegedly found in possession of 26 live rounds of shotgun cartridges without a firearm certificate.
McSweeney was charged with resisting arrest and unlawfully assaulting a police officer on March 30, while he acted in the execution of his duty.
Williams was represented by attorney Murrio Ducille, and McSweeney was represented by Wilbert Moss.
Mr. Moss told the court that his client was brutally beaten while in police custody.
“The record should reflect that while in police custody, my client was repeatedly beaten by officers,” Mr. Moss claimed ”
Mr. Ducille argued that the magistrate court should have the power to grant bail.
“There has been brainwashing to believe that only the Supreme Court has the ability to grant bail,” he said. “This young man (McSweeney) was just about to join the armed forces.”
Magistrate Mackey said that while she accepted the attorney’s submissions, the defendants were to be remanded to custody.
She also reminded the accused of the right to apply to the Supreme Court for bail.
Their case was adjourned until September 5 when a preliminary inquiry is set to take place.
By: Royanne Forbes-Darville, The Bahama Journal
