A Sophia carpenter was yesterday released on $150,000 bail after he pleaded not guilty before Magistrate Alex Moore for two counts of robbery under arms.
It is alleged that on February 25, in ‘D’ Field Sophia, Colin Mansonhing, 25, of Lot 377 Turkeyen, Sophia, being armed with a gun, robbed Tevin Simon of one silver chain and one BlackBerry cellphone totalling $50,000.
It is also alleged that on February 25, in ‘D’ Field Sophia, Mansonhing, robbed Claudette Whyte of one electrical iron, one DVD player, one silver chain, one silver ring, one gold wedding band and $122,000 in cash totalling $196,000.
Mansonhing was not required to plead to the indictable charges.
Attorney Mark Waldron, who represented the accused, submitted that after his client was notified that he was wanted by the police, he quickly cooperated and turned himself in.
Prosecution objected to bail on the grounds that police are investigating another allegation against Mansonhing.
Prosecutor Hally Anthony added there were reports of witness tampering and the complainants expressed fear of the accused because they live in proximity.
Whyte, who was in court, explained that at the time of the robbery she and her son were at home and she identified the accused by the way he walked through her house.
Magistrate Moore then asked if she had a clear look at his face while he was in her home; Whyte responded “no”.
The magistrate then said that pointing out somebody by their “walk” does not provide sufficient evidence to prove a conviction.
Pre-trial liberty was granted.
He will make his next court appearance on March 14.
