A labourer accused of shooting at a police rank was yesterday granted his release on self-bail after his lawyer told a city court that he was exhibiting symptoms of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and the prison service refused to accept him.
Sherman Bobb, 25, of Mandela Avenue, was arraigned before Senior Magistrate Dylon Bess on three charges.
It is alleged that on March 27, 2020, at East La Penitence, Georgetown, Bobb discharged a loaded firearm at constable Tristan Webb to cause grievously bodily harm, maim or to disfigure him.
It is also alleged that on the same day, Bobb had in his possession a 9 mm pistol, without being a licensed firearm holder. He is also accused of having in his possession 14 live rounds of ammunition without being a lawful owner of a firearm licence.
Bobb, who was represented by attorney Adrian Thompson, pleaded not guilty to all of the charges.
In his application for bail, Thompson told the court that Bobb was at a family gathering at East La Penitence when a member of a police patrol fired shots in the air, causing everyone to disperse. He said Bobb, who was mistakenly identified as Osafo Johnson, a man wanted by the police for several offences, was shot in his right leg.
Apart from noting the injuries the man suffered as a result of the shooting, Thompson also said that his client had exhibited two symptoms of COVID-19. Police Prosecutor Annalisa Brummell objected to bail as she informed the court that Bobb not only shot at a rank in his attempt to get away but he was found with the ammunition in his right hand, after being shot and apprehended.
In her attempt to answer to the concerns about Bobb’s health, she informed the Magistrate that the Prison Service was equipped with medical personnel and a department that could handle any situation that may arise.
Magistrate Bess, after listening to both the lawyer and prosecutor, decided to refuse bail based on the fact that there is a medical facility available to Bobb. He also ordered that Bobb be tested if needed. However, Magistrate Bess later reconsidered his decision after Bobb was rejected by the Prison Service due to his reported COVID-19 symptoms. As a result, self-bail was granted.
Bobb is due to return to court on May 11.
