– prosecution discloses
By Paula Gomes
Arraigned before City Magistrate Judy Latchman on Monday, Jermaine Phillips was described as “a jealous lover”; and as his lawyer sought to have him released on bail pending the outcome of his trial, the prosecution countered by disclosing that matters of a similar nature are pending against the accused in the United States. 
Jermaine Phillips was last month arraigned before City Magistrate Leron Daly, charged with discharging a loaded firearm at virtual complainant (VC) Troy Grant with intent to maim, disfigure, disable, or cause Grant grievous bodily harm; and for illegal possession of seventeen rounds of live .40 ammunition and one .40 Glock pistol.
The accused was, at first instance, granted bail for the shooting offence; but as the latter charges were initiated against him, the Magistrate denied him bail and remanded him to prison for the offences, which allegedly occurred at Hardina and Norton Streets, Georgetown in early June.
The defence lawyer argued that, based on his instructions, his client did not know the VC, and had no knowledge of the charge, which he deemed “trumped up” by a vindictive party. Several minutes after being granted bail of $400,000 for the above charge, a shackled Phillips was escorted back to the prisoner’s dock by Police ranks, where two other charges were read to him.
However, the prosecution sought to dispute the defence’s case by maintaining that when Police swooped down on the said residence, the defendant was spotted with the bag around his neck, and they apprehended him as he attempted to escape. The Prosecutor also sought to establish that the two parties are known to each other, and the alleged shooting had taken place in June.
It is reported that a jealous Phillips fired shots in the direction of Grant, allegedly because he felt threatened that the VC might poach his lover. The court further heard from the prosecution that there was no evidence that anybody else was charged in relation to the last two charges, in response to Thompson’s claim that his client was one of three persons arrested.
The matter had since been transferred to Magistrate Judy Latchman’s court, and as Attorney Adrian Thompson sought to renew his application for bail on Monday, the Prosecution revealed to the court that Phillips has pending matters of a similar nature before the courts in the United States (US).
Even as he admitted residing in the U.S for some time, the accused denied any knowledge of such charges instigated against him.
Bail was once again refused, and Phillips will return to court on August 21, 2017, for statements to be disclosed.
