Sherman Williams (left) and Jevon Demming.
BVI NEWS ONLINE - Two cousins from the British Virgin Island (BVI) have been given lengthy prison sentences for shooting a Saint Lucian national.
BVI footballer Jevon Demming has been sentenced to 7 years in prison on an attempted murder charge while his cousin Sherman Williams has been sentenced to 15 years.
Williams was given an additional 10 years on a charge of possession of firearm with intent to endanger life. His sentences will run concurrently, effectively meaning that he will only spent 15-years behind bars.
The sentences were handed down in the High Court this morning (February 2, 2015) by Justice Nicola Byer.
The two cousins were found guilty of attempting to murder St. Lucia native Neil St. Rose outside Rock Café in the Valley, Virgin Gorda, on September 30, 2012.
The prosecution had argued that St. Rose was shot during a confrontation with the cousins inside the parking lot area of Rock Café, BVI. St. Rose, during the trial, told the court that he went to the Café where a party was in full swing.
He stated that, while inside the bar, he had few alcoholic beverages before proceeding to the dance-floor where he danced with women. He further testified that, when he finished dancing, he was standing in a section of the Café when he felt someone push him from behind.
He claimed that he turned around and saw Demming, whom he had known for five years, standing behind him. He asked Demming: “What going on?”
Demming responded by throwing his hands in the air, according to the victim. He added that Demming said something to him, but he did not hear due to the music inside the building.
He testified that, shortly afterwards, he was surrounded by men including Demming’s cousins and Williams. They later left him alone. St. Rose said he left the café and went outside for five minutes before re-entering.
He and other patrons were later leaving the venue and, while walking down the steps, he saw Williams walking ‘slowly’ in front him. The victim stated that he suspected Williams did not want him to leave and, as a result, he pushed Williams.
Williams allegedly walked towards him as though he was about to start a fight, but two persons intervened and quashed the confrontation. St. Rose said he later proceeded to his vehicle.
“Same time I look, I saw Mr. William with a gun,” the victim had told the court. He added that, upon seeing the weapon, he started ‘backing off’ while moving towards his vehicle.
“Then I heard a gunshot. When I look behind, I saw Jevon [Demming] coming. Same time, I grabbed a stone from behind me to defend meself. I saw Mr. Williams coming towards me like 10 to 15 feet away from me with the gun.”
The gunshot victim also testified that he then dropped the stone out of fear that he would have been shot. He claimed that Demming approached him and placed his hand in his face, but he knocked it away.
He added that Demming collared him, and punched him in the face. “As soon as Mr. Williams reached close to me, he (Williams) hit me with the gun at the back of my head.”
He said he fell on his knees and Williams put the gun to his neck; then shot him. St. Rose further testified that he passed out for some time and, when he regained consciousness, he felt his neck area and realized that it was bleeding.
He said he then felt pain in the area of his penis and, as a result, he placed his hand in his pants. He realized that blood was also coming from the area.
He added that that he sought assistance from someone, and was taken to a clinic on Virgin Gorda. He was later transported to Peebles Hospital where he was admitted.