ST. THOMAS — V.I. Superior Court Judge James Carroll III found probable cause to move forward on murder and related charges against Tahira Charles, above, the Superior Court announced late Wednesday.
Mr. Charles, 32, of Bovoni, is charged with one count each of first-degree murder, first-degree assault, third-degree assault, unauthorized possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime of violence and first-degree reckless endangerment.
Following his arrest Monday morning on a warrant signed by V.I. Superior Court Judge Kathleen McKay, Mr. Charles appeared before Judge Carroll on Wednesday for an advice-of-rights hearing.
“I have reviewed the warrant, the probable cause fact sheet and criminal records and I find probable cause for the arrest of Tahira Charles,” the judge said.
After advising Mr. Charles of his rights, Judge Carroll told the defendant that he has a right to bail “except when charged with first-degree murder when the proof is evident and the presumption great.”
On the recommendation of Assistant Attorney General Eugene Connor, Jr., Judge Carroll then scheduled a bail/detention hearing for Friday.
Mr. Charles is charged with the murder of Caseam Daniel, who was shot and killed on June 25 in the area of First Stop Gas station. Mr. Charles was arrested on Tuesday after being shot in Tortola and transported to the territory for treatment, according V.I.P.D. Media Specialist Sakeeda Freeman.
According to an affidavit prepared by Det. Nigel James, officers responded to reports of a shooting in the area of the gas station where they found Mr. Daniel’s bullet-riddled body.
Footage from a surveillance camera showed a black BMW convertible bearing tag number TEF 376 arrive at the gas station with three occupants. The driver, Devon Grant, exited the vehicle and went into the gas station’s convenience store. Mr. Charles, the front seat passenger, also came out of the vehicle; the third occupant stayed inside the vehicle, Detective James wrote.
Mr. Charles walked across the street to the area of Oswald Harris Court, where there was a group of individuals, including Mr. Daniel. Mr. Charles appeared to get into an argument with Mr. Daniel. Then, Mr. Charles took a gun from his pants and shot Daniel three times, then fled the area.
Based on the accounts of several witnesses and information from a confidential source, police determined that there was probable cause to arrest Mr. Charles for Mr. Daniel’s murder, according to Mr. James’ affidavit.
Mr. Charles’ arraignment hearing, at which he will formally answer to the charges, is slated for Aug. 18.
Tags: murder suspect, st thomas, Tahira Charles, us virgin islands
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