Duo placed on $300,000 bail each over attempted murder

Shaka Chase and Keon Niles who are charged with the attempted murder of Dexter Johnson were yesterday placed on $300,000 bail each after they reappeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court before Magistrate Sueanna Lovell.

Attorney-at-law Gordon Gilhuys made a successful application for bail for his clients. However, the court ordered the two accused to report to the Brickdam Police Station once every week.

It is alleged that on November 14 at Georgetown the men unlawfully and maliciously wounded Dexter Johnson with intent to murder him. They were not required to plead to the charge when it was read to them.

Chase, 27, is a clothes vendor who resides at Lot 169 East Ruimveldt, while 18-year-old Niles of Lot 207 Da Silva Street, Kitty, is a sales assistant attached to Associated Industries Limited.

In presenting the facts, the prosecution told the court that the two accused were known to the VC for approximately eight years. On the day in question, at 11:00 hrs the VC was proceeding west along a dam by Mandela Avenue when he was confronted by the men who were both armed with handguns in company with others. They brandished their firearms and discharged rounds in the direction of the VC. As a result the VC tried to escape by running in a westerly direction on the dam but was chased by the accused who subsequently shot him to his lower abdomen. Johnson was rushed to the GPH and admitted to the High Dependency Unit in an unconscious state and later underwent surgery.

The VC appeared in court yesterday and seemed to be recovering.

The matter was adjourned until January 23 next year.