There was plenty of courtroom drama today when 22-year-old Jahreem "32" Staine a well-known figure from Electric Avenue was back before the Chief Magistrate, Deborah Rogers, facing two new charges of contempt of judicial order. This is after police failed to get him remanded two days ago.
The new charges stem from allegations that Staine twice failed to sign in at the Belama Police Station in violation of his High Court bail conditions.
Before the charges were even read, Staine's attorney, Norman Rodriguez, argued that the information and complaint were vague and lacked sufficient detail to inform his client of the accusations against him. He submitted that the charges should be struck out.
However, Chief Magistrate Rogers rejected the submission and ordered that the charges be read.
Staine pleaded not guilty to both counts.
But, in a rare move, Staff Officer Stacey Smith from the Commissioner of Police's office appeared as prosecutor. She strongly objected to bail not only citing the repeated breaches of bail conditions but also raising concerns for both Staine's safety and public safety.
Smith told the court that Staine has survived two major armed attacks in recent weeks both outside of known gang areas and in broad daylight. She said the first attack on September 3rd the same day he allegedly failed to sign in saw 28 expended shells recovered near a school on the Philip Goldson Highway. The second attack, on September 26th, involved 78 rounds fired by three gunmen in another public area. In both cases no one was seriously injured.
Smith said police intelligence suggests at least five individuals have made attempts on Staine's life using multiple weapons - a pattern of premeditated, coordinated violence that poses a grave risk to the public whenever he is targeted.
She argued that remanding Staine was necessary, quote, "for his own protection and for the safety of ordinary citizens who might be caught in crossfire."
Attorney Rodriguez countered that Staine had medical reasons for not signing in, producing documents from a KHMH doctor, and emphasizing that his client is a father of two and the family's sole provider. He insisted that even if remanded, the Belize Central Prison could not guarantee his client's safety.
After hearing both sides, Chief Magistrate Rogers ruled that Staine's repeated breaches of bail conditions coupled with credible threats to his life and the risks posed to the public justified denying bail.
