Summary Court Refuses Bail Application For Romario Ashanie Brown, A Man Who Turned Himself Into The Police After Being Accused Of Burglary & Theft

By Alric Lindsay

Romario Ashanie Brown, a man who recently turned himself into the police concerning an alleged burglary and theft, appeared in the Summary Court this week. In the hearing, Brown’s lawyer, Attorney Amelia Fosuhene, applied for bail on the basis that he had an alibi and was not a flight risk since he voluntarily turned himself in. The Chief Magistrate disagreed and refused the bail application.

Basis of the bail application

Making the application on Brown’s behalf, Attorney Fosuhene noted that, based on Brown’s action of turning himself in to the police, he is not someone who was trying to evade the police. 

Fosuhene explained that, in fact, when Brown found out he was wanted by the police, he called her to arrange his surrender. 

Initially, this was supposed to happen on Monday, however, Fosuhene said that an inspector at the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service was unavailable.  Therefore, Fosuhene arranged to drive Brown to the police station at the next opportunity she had on Wednesday, when Brown turned himself in.

Fosuhene added that Brown had an alibi in relation to the alleged burglary and theft.  Reportedly, Brown was at the hospital with his partner since she was giving birth to their child.

Based on Fosuhene’s statement in the Summary Court, Brown was charged without his alibi being investigated.

Fosuhene noted further that the police gave differing accounts of the location of the evidence being used against Brown.

In the circumstances, Fosuhene suggested that Brown be granted bail with the conditions that he wear an electronic monitor and be subject to a curfew from 7 pm to 7 am.

Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions opposes bail application

Notwithstanding the argument made on Brown’s behalf by Fosuhene, counsel from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions said the DPP opposed bail because Brown may fail to surrender if placed on bail.  This was based on Brown’s previous failure to surrender in 2023.

In addition, DPP counsel noted that Brown’s evidence was found at the scene at Savannah Medical Clinic. Specifically, Brown’s blood was allegedly found on the inside of the blinds of the doctor’s office. 

DPP counsel added that, concerning any claim that the reason for the presence of Brown’s blood was that he may have been a patient there, the DPP made inquires and it was confirmed that Brown was not a patient at the location where his blood was allegedly located.

Chief Magistrate Refuses Bail Application

After hearing arguments from Brown’s attorney and DPP counsel, the Chief Magistrate refused the bail application based on the strength of the evidence and his failure to surrender in the past.

It is understood that Brown’s matter will be mentioned again on December 10, 2024.

Share on Facebook

Post on X