No bail yet for man who allegedly shot at police, lawyer claims

DEFENCE ATTORNEY Gordon Lamming on Tuesday stated that the delay by the police in presenting the results of the tracing on his client Gabriel Taylor, was an apparent case of discrimination because the victims of the crime were police officers.

He also stated that the delay was a plot to keep Taylor in custody for as long as possible without the possibility of bail being granted. He stated that police officers must not be given the authority to abuse what power was given to them. He then called on Magistrate Melvin Daniel to use the powers given to him by the court in granting bail, since his client was charged with bailable offences. However Magistrate Daniel informed Lamming that he would wait for the results of the tracing before dealing with the issue of bail. He then adjourned the matter to yesterday. Taylor, 20, of Sparrow Drive, Petit Valley appeared before Magistrate Daniel charged with separate counts of shooting at PCs St Bernard, Linton, Villarel and Thomas with intent to do them grievous bodily harm. In addition Taylor is charged with possession of ammunition, possession of a firearm, possession of ammunition to endanger lives and possession of a firearm to endanger lives. All the charges were laid indictably and stemmed from an incident which occurred at Sparrow Drive Petit Valley last Sunday.