PHILIPSBURG--Four persons, among whom Omar "Chuckie" Nelson (20) who is currently already sitting out 18 years, received prison sentences ranging from five to seven years Wednesday, in a case of theft with violence and abduction.
The case involved the kidnapping and violent robbery of C. Short in Nazareth on August 18, 2010.
Prosecutor Dounia Benammar had requested eight years for Nelson, six years for Louella A. Flanders (32) and Roberto R.F. Brooks (19), and seven years for Roberto's twin brother Ronaldo.
Judge Monique Keppels found all four suspects guilty as charged. Nelson received a sentence which was two years less than the Prosecutor's demand, because, the Judge said, she would refrain from imposing the customary one-third increase of a penalty for repeat offenders.
During the January 11 hearing, Nelson's lawyer Bert Hofman had said his client maintained his innocence. He also pleaded with the Judge to carefully weigh his client's role in the crime, and not to punish him extra because he currently is sitting out 18 years.
Nelson will have to stand trial again on March 7, this time for jailbreak and car theft. He escaped detention in March 2011 by breaking through the roof of the cell in Pointe Blanche prison where he had been held in solitary confinement.
Ronaldo Brooks was sentenced according to the Prosecutor's demand to seven years. He was also convicted of the robbery of an American tourist on the Boardwalk Promenade in February 2010.
His brother was sentenced to six years, one of which was suspended, on two years' probation, while Flanders was sentenced according to the Prosecutor's demand.
All were found guilty of planning and executing the abduction and robbery, luring their victim out of his house.
In Nazareth, Short's car was rammed, after which he was taken out of the vehicle, beaten down and tied up. He was then put in the trunk of his car and driven around for four hours, after which he was left behind in his car in Dutch Quarter.
The man was robbed of his wallet, containing several credit and bank cards. He was forced to sign several blank cheques and provide the PIN-code for his bank card. The robbers tried to swipe the card, but did not manage to obtain any money. In total, only US $50 was taken.
The Judge specifically held against Flanders the fact that she had gravely misused the trust and willingness of an acquaintance to help her in the middle of the night.
Attorney-at-law Shaira Bommel had stated Flanders had only been the planner of the crime, but had not taken part in the violent robbery.
The twin brothers, who had both been examined for possible mental deficiencies, were both held fully responsible for their actions.
In Roberto's case, a psychiatrist had stated in a report to the Court that his excessive use of cannabis, and anti-social behaviour did not lead to lesser accountability.
Attorney-at-law Zylena Bary had put question marks on the reports of the brothers' state of mind. In her opinion they should at least be found less accountable and receive lower sentences.
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