Man Allegedly Involved In 2014 Murder Outside The Former Blitz Nightclub Held On $1 Million Bail

ST. THOMAS — A suspect charged in a two-year-old murder made his initial court appearance Monday afternoon and Attorney General Claude Earl Walker recommended a bail of $1 million dollars, which was granted by the court, the V.I. Department of Justice announced recently.

Treson Stephens, above, age 25, of Hospital Ground stood before V.I. Superior Court Judge Kathleen Mackay to be advised of his rights on one count each of first-degree murder; first-degree assault; third-degree assault; firstdegree reckless endangerment; brandishing, exhibiting or using deadly weapons; four counts of unauthorized use of a firearm during the commission of a crime of violence and four counts of aiding and abetting in connection with the Oct. 19, 2014, murder of 22-year-old Shacoi Benjamin. Based on the police affidavit in support of the arrest, Judge Mackay found that there was probable cause to sustain the charges.

A warrant for Stephens’ arrest was issued on Aug. 31 by the V.I. Superior Court and on Nov. 18, officers in Montgomery County, Tennessee, executed the warrant and took Stephens into custody. He was being held on a $500,000 bail. On Saturday, Stephens was extradited to St. Thomas from Tennessee and arrested by local authorities. He was held without bail until his initial hearing.

According to an affidavit filed by Det. Dwight Griffith, several eyewitnesses identified Stephens as one of the persons whom they saw shooting at Benjamin. The incident occurred outside Blitz Nightclub, which is located near Norre Gade.

Stephens is scheduled to make his second court appearance on Jan. 5, 2017, for his arraignment hearing, at which he will formally answer to the charges.