Murder accused stuck behind bars due to $1-million cash demand

The inability of a murder accused to come up with $1 million in cash to pay his bail bond resulted in him sitting in jail for the past seven months, despite being offered bail.

The accused man, Freddy Harrison, was locked up on May 26, 2023, for the 2019 murder of 25-year-old Nembhard Goulborne in Coral Gardens, St James.

When he appeared in the St James Circuit Court on Monday, Harrison’s attorney, Henry McCurdy, was successful in getting presiding High Court judge Justice Bertram Morrison to vary the bail conditions.

“I am asking if the cash bond could be removed and if he could be offered surety. The cash bond means only cash can be used,” McCurdy told the court, while suggesting that items or property of equal value to the $1-million bail amount being demanded could be used to secure Harrison’s bail instead.

The court was also told that Harrison has been in police custody due to being unable to take up the bail offer.

Following McCurdy’s application, Justice Morrison varied the bail conditions so that Harrison will not have to only use cash to pay his bail.

The case is set to continue on September 20.

Reports are that on May 17, 2019, about 8:45 p.m,, Harrison was making repairs to Goulbourne’s water pipe when an argument developed between them. Harrison allegedly opened gunfire, hitting Goulbourne and another man, before escaping. The police were summoned, and the injured men were taken to hospital where Goulbourne was pronounced dead and the other man was admitted.

On May 26, 2023, Harrison was apprehended during a police operation in Hurlock, St James. He was subsequently charged on May 30 that year after being pointed out in an identification parade. – C.T.