Judge Denies Bail To man Accused Of Murder

ST. THOMAS — Tahira Charles will remain behind bars pending trial, V.I. Superior Court Judge James Carroll III ruled Wednesday, according to a press release the Superior Court issued Friday afternoon.

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 in relation to a shooting death that occurred earlier this year.

In his August 10 order denying Charles’ motion for pre-trial release, Judge Carroll determined that the People have demonstrated that the evidence against Mr. Charles is reliable and that there is clear and convincing evidence for the charge of first-degree murder.

“Applying the law to the facts presented at the detention hearing, the likelihood that Charles committed first-degree murder is compelling,” Judge Carroll wrote.

Rehashing the facts of the case and evaluating the evidence collected during investigation, the court deemed as “reliable” the identification of Mr. Charles as the perpetrator.

“Since there is such clear and convincing evidence of the crime of first-degree murder, Charles will be detained pending trial,” Judge Carroll concluded.  

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.

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 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, James wrote.

Mr. Charles walked across the street to the area of Oswald Harris Court, where there was a group of individuals, including Daniel. Mr. Charles appeared to get into an argument with Daniel. Then, Mr. Charles took a gun from his pants and shot Daniel three times. He 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 Daniel’s murder, according to James’ affidavit.

Mr. Charles’ arraignment hearing, at which he will formally answer to the charges, is slated for Aug. 18.