SXMElections.com

St. Maarten – The Court in First Instance sentenced two men who robbed the Dazzling Gems jewelry store on Front Street on July 11 to prison sentences of 54 and 42 months. The prosecution demanded slightly higher punishments of 5 and 4 years respectively.

Shaquille Akeem Every entered the jewelry store on the day of the robbery with a small sledgehammer while another, yet unidentified robber, controlled the storeowner and his staff with a gun. Every smashed showcases and grabbed all the jewelry he could get his hands on.

In the meantime, co-defendant Raymison Railey Prescott blocked the traffic on Front Street with his motor bike, in front of the getaway car. After the robbery the men fled the scene, but Prescott, who held part of the loot, was spotted near Quizno’s by an off duty police officer who saw that the defendant threw something on the roof of the building. After Prescott was arrested, police officers found jewelry stemming from the robbery on the roof.

Every admitted in court that he had used a hammer during the robbery, that he wore yellow gloves and that his nickname is The Clown. “I joke a lot,” he told the court.

Prosecutor Tineke Kamps told the court that the getaway car had been found back in the Over the Bank area. She said that Prescott had been more than a look out. “He also made the escape of the other robbers possible by holding up the traffic.”

Kamps noted that Prescott has previous convictions from 2001, 2012 and 2013 to his name. She demanded 4 years of imprisonment against the 20-year-old defendant.

Every, who is also 20, stood trial not only for the robbery but also for firearm possession. The firearm that was found in a car during his arrest eleven days after the robbery contained his DNA. “He was also recognized by staff members and he caused quite some damage in the store.” The demand against Every was 5 years.

Attorney Shaira Bommel noted that the weapon did not belong to her client Every and that he had gone through a difficult time. “He has had few opportunities,” she said, adding that her client wants to better his life.

Attorney Zylena Bary showed a video of the arrest of her client, arguing that his arrest was unlawful, but prosecutor Kamps disagreed.

Judge Smid acknowledged that the arrest had been forceful, but that Prescott had offered quite some resistance. “I don’t like it, that is why I try not to get arrested and to live a bit longer,” he quipped.