Police officials say they still have “no comment” on whether or not US authorities submitted a formal request to have fugitive Marcus Johnson handed over to the Federal Bureau of Investigation(FBI).
Bahamian authorities say they need to “find out exactly what is going on” with the Marcus Johnson case, before they make any further comments on the matter. Police Press Liaison Officer Inspector Walter Evans said there is still no word on the status of that case.
“Before we comment, we need to find out exactly what’s happening first,” Insp Evans said. “I can’t say there’s no comment, but I can say that we need to find out what’s going on before we comment.”
According to an online Herald Tribune article, US authorities asked Bahamian officials to assist in tracking down and arresting Johnson, but authorities here said, “they wouldn’t assist without a federal warrant.”
Reportedly, United States bounty hunters said Johnson, a Bahamian who was living in the US, skipped town and headed to The Bahamas, after he was charged with attempted first-degree murder. According to bounty hunters, Mr Johnson’s trial was scheduled to begin in 2004. However, before the set trial date, reports indicated that Mr Johnson was able to get a bond company to post a $100,000 bond, and then he skipped town.
Hulan Hanna, Superintendent in charge of The Southern Bahamas told The Guardian earlier this month, that law enforcement officials in The Bahamas have not received any formal request for Johnson to be turned over to the US.
Reports further indicated that Johnson was arrested in 2003 in connection with the shooting death of a 33-year-old male, US authorities say, whom Johnson may have been arguing with or may have been attempting to rob. Additionally, US officials said that Johnson was charged with attempted murder after he was connected to crimes ranging from shootings to fire bombings.
By IANTHIA SMITH, Nassau Guardian Staff Reporter
