News

Mayor's chauffeur not yet charged

By NAGRA PLUNKETT, Staff Reporter

WESTERN BUREAU

NO CHARGES HAVE been levelled against the chauffeur of Black River's Mayor, Franklyn Whitter, who was detained on Monday by the Bull Savannah Police following a shooting incident in Cheapside, St. Elizabeth.

Superintendent Fitzgerald Barrett told THE STAR yesterday that the matter was still under investigation and that it was likely that charges would be levelled 'very soon'. However, he was not able to give an exact time frame.

The accused, 41-year-old Raymond Barnes, has been accused of using the Mayor's licensed Smith and Wesson 9-mm pistol to shoot Greg Bent, 23, during a dispute on Monday morning. Barnes and Bent have reportedly been at odds following an earlier incident between them in September.

Monday's confrontation occurred about 9:45 a.m. while Barnes was taking Mr. Whitter to work in his grey Mitsubishi Pajero. Reports are that they stopped along a roadway in the district so that the mayor could speak with someone.

Bent reportedly drove up and blocked the path of the Pajero. It is said that he walked up to Barnes and they exchanged words. During the argument, Bent reportedly attempted to pull Barnes from the vehicle.

While he was being dragged, Barnes took hold of Mayor Whitter's gun, which was in the glove compartment of the vehicle, and fired two shots in Bent's direction. He was shot in the right shoulder.

Bent was taken to the Mandeville Hospital where he has been admitted.