Category: CANA News

Justin Parris cracked a superb century and also grabbed five wickets to help Barbados defend their title in the CWI Rising Stars Under-19 Men’s 50-over Championship here on Wednesday.

His efforts helped Barbados dominate Jamaica by 116 runs in the final, capping an unbeaten run in the competition.

In other results, Trinidad and Tobago thrashed the Leeward Islands to finish third, while Guyana defeated the Windward Islands to cop fifth place.

At Liberta Sports Club: Barbados expectedly captured their second successive title, thanks mainly to a standout performance from Justin Parris.

Parris hit an even 100 as Barbados capped off a strong batting performance in the tournament by posting a competitive 320 for nine in their 50 overs.

Parris then returned to grab five wickets with his off spin, as Jamaica were bowled out for 204 in 43.5 overs.

It was Barbados’ sixth win on the trot and capped off one of the most dominant showings in the tournament’s recent history.

Their strong position was set up by another impressive display by their batters, led by Parris.

Jahdae Moore got rid of opener Gadson Bowens cheaply for just eight, but Kelani Clarke and Jordan Graham led a recovery during a 74-run partnership for the second wicket that carried them to 95 for one in the 16th over.

Alixandre Elliot struck to remove Clarke for a brisk 49 off 44 balls, Demarco Scott bowled Seth Smith for three, and Elliot returned to snare the wicket of Graham for 21, to reduce the defending champions to 101 for four.

However, Parris and Kemar Dixon put Barbados back in the ascendancy by adding 108 runs for the fifth wicket.

And when Elliott bowled Dixon for 48 off 71 balls and had Jahidi Hinds caught for one, Parris and R’Jai Gittens, who slammed 37 from 19 balls, bludgeoned 80 runs off eight overs to see Barbados motor along to 291 for seven after 48 overs.

Parris reached his century in the penultimate over but was dismissed shortly after by Joel Williams after scoring 100 off 98 balls, with 12 fours and one six.

Rajeev Parsooram then finished the innings in style by clobbering 14 runs off five balls.

Elliot was Jamaica’s best bowler with 4-40, while Moore took 3-58.

Needing a solid start to have any chance of overhauling their target, Jamaica immediately found themselves on the backfoot when pacer Asher Branford trapped Odane Binns lbw for seven, had Joel Williams caught for a duck and also dismissed Demarco Scott by way of the lbw route, to see them slip to 46 for three.

After Tyson Gordon Jr was dismissed by Hinds for 28, Demario Hall and captain Pajay Nelson added 58 runs for the fifth wicket to keep Jamaica in the contest at 134 for four.

But Parris ended any hopes of a comeback by dismissing Hall for 47, while Parsooram accounted for Nelson’s wicket after he had scored 36, to make the score 150 for six.

Parris then grabbed the wickets of Ryan Lyttleton for two and Geovanni Grey for a duck to see Jamaica slump to 152 for eight, before cleaning up the tail by dismissing Elliott and Moore.

Parris ended with 5-35, while Branford took 3-19.

At Bethesda Sports Ground: Trinidad and Tobago easily disposed of the Leeward Islands by seven wickets to end the tournament on a winning note and claim third place.

The Leeward Islands produced their worst batting performance of the competition to be skittled out for a paltry 88 in 26.5 overs after choosing to bat first.

Renaldo Fournillier was the main destroyer, grabbing three of the first four wickets to fall to orchestrate the collapse.

He claimed the wickets of top scorer Tanez Francis for 22, along with those of Matthew Miller and Kunal Tilokani to leave the Leewards 48 for four.

Eirette Richards, who made 19 and Lyhte Brown, who made 13, were the only other batters to score in double digits as the Leewards lost their last six wickets for 40 runs.

Fournillier finished with 4-26 and Daron Dhanraj took 2-14.

In response, skipper Brendan Boodoo then scored an unbeaten 49 off 46 balls to guide T and T to 89 for three in 15.1 overs.

After the early losses of Christian Lall and Levi Ghanny for two and eight respectively, along with that of Ethan Ramcharan for 10, Boodoo and Tariq Richards shared an unbroken partnership of 41 for the fourth wicket, as T and T completed a comfortable victory.

At Pigotts Sports Ground: Guyana exacted revenge on the Windward Islands by defeating them by 53 runs in the fifth-place playoff match.

Guyana, who lost to the Windwards in the final round of action on Monday, produced an impressive performance with the ball after their batters failed to fire for the second straight match.

Dhanesh Persaud scored 53 off 73 balls and Emmanuel Lewis made 43, but there was little other support, with the Windward Islands eventually dismissing them for 184 in 49.2 overs.

The pair shared a partnership of 92 runs after coming together with their team in dire straits at 72 for five in the 22nd over.

When Lewis was dismissed by Theo Edward, Guyana lost their last five wickets for a mere 20 runs.

Edwards captured 3-12 to be the Windward Islands’ best bowler.

After losing opener and captain Edward to the second ball of the innings, the pair of Derwin Lewis and Earshino Fontaine carried the fight to Guyana’s bowlers in a partnership of 46 runs.

But once Lewis was trapped lbw by Adrian Hetmyer, the Windward Islands lost wickets at regular intervals to find themselves struggling at 76 for five.

Tyler Venner, who made 24 and Khavaughn Bartholomew, who scored 27, tried to rescue the innings in a 37-run stand, but Gilbert Griffith dismissed both batters to end any chance of a Windward Islands comeback.

Griffth claimed 4-19, Romario Ramdehol took 2-13, and Hetmyer 2-38.

The Barbados-based Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) says it has approved US$232,000 in grant funding to strengthen the capacity of Development Finance Institutions (DFIs) across its Borrowing Member Countries (BMCs).

The region’s premier financial institution said that the garnt will enhance their ability to finance small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), climate resilience, renewable energy, and sustainable development.

The funding was approved under the Special Development Fund (SDF) 11 programme and the technical assistance initiative will support the delivery of four specialised training programmes and the deployment of a web-based SME credit scoring and risk rating platform to participating DFIs throughout the Caribbean.

The project forms part of CDB’s commitment to building stronger financial institutions capable of driving private sector development and increasing access to finance for businesses that are critical to economic growth and resilience.

The CDB said that participating DFIs will receive training in SME credit risk management, specialised sector financing for agriculture and renewable energy, Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) standards and compliance, and climate and sustainability finance instruments.

The programme will also provide participating institutions with access to the SME eSMART digital credit assessment platform, enabling more efficient and consistent evaluation of SME loan applications.

CDB’s vice president of Operations, Dr. Isaac Solomon said lending capital alone is not enough to transform economies.

‘Strong institutions are essential to ensuring that finance reaches the businesses and sectors that will have the greatest development impact. This initiative will equip Development Finance Institutions with the technical expertise and digital tools needed to strengthen lending decisions, support innovation, and expand financing for enterprises that contribute to resilient and inclusive growth across the Caribbean,’ he said.

The CDB said that DFIs play a vital role in addressing financing gaps faced by SMEs, particularly in sectors that are often underserved by commercial lenders. The initiative responds to identified capacity needs across the regional DFI network and is expected to strengthen institutions’ ability to assess credit risk, structure financing for climate and renewable energy investments, integrate ESG considerations into lending, and mobilise finance for sustainable development.

The project will be delivered in partnership with Caribbean Information and Credit Rating Services Limited (CariCRIS), leveraging regional expertise and internationally recognised training providers to deliver practical, Caribbean-focused learning.

‘The Caribbean’s economic transformation will be driven by entrepreneurs, but enabled by strong institutions,’ said Lisa Harding, Division Chief, Private Sector, CDB.

‘Development Finance Institutions play a pivotal role in unlocking investment for businesses that generate jobs, foster innovation, and build resilience. By strengthening their capacity, CDB is helping to create a more dynamic, inclusive, and sustainable private sector across the region.’

The programme is expected to benefit at least 11 Development Finance Institutions across the Caribbean, providing training opportunities for more than 300 professionals through a series of online courses delivered over multiple sessions.

The CDB said that the project aligns with CDB’s Strategic Plan 2026-2035 by strengthening institutions, accelerating climate action, advancing digital transformation, and building both economic and environmental resilience across the region.

Following their 3-2 One Day International series loss to New Zealand, West Indies head coach Daren Sammy has accepted that the regional side will have to go through the Qualifiers to book their spot at the 2027 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup.

The Windies men began the series 10 points behind Bangladesh for the final automatic qualifying spot, and needing to win all five of their matches to have a realistic chance of overtaking them.

But after a winning start, they were let down by their batters, which resulted in them losing the next three matches before winning the fifth and final match at Kensington Oval on Tuesday.

With just two more remaining ODIs against India in September, it is all but guaranteed that the Windies will have to go through the World Cup Qualifiers, which will see the top four finishers assured a spot at the World Cup.

The Windies last played at the 2019 World Cup, having missed out on the 2023 event after they failed to advance out of the Qualifiers.

While no dates or venues have yet been announced by the ICC for those Qualifiers, speaking in a post-match press conference on Tuesday Sammy said he would love for them to be played in the Caribbean.

‘We have no information on where and when it’s going to be. We do understand though, the qualifying method, but as to when and where [we don’t know]. I did ask the director a question on that earlier this week and he’s going to get back to me on that.

‘If we have a choice, home is where the heart is. I’m pretty sure all the guys would love to play at home in Barbados, Saint Lucia or even Antigua where we do quite well, but it’s out of our hands. Actually, myself and the analyst we were checking during the game to see if there was a possibility, but it looks like we really have to go through the Qualifiers and then book our place,’ Sammy said.

Speaking on the series against New Zealand, the head coach said he was not satisfied with the result.

He said the home side’s batting had let the team down for the majority of the five matches.

‘No, 3-2 is not a fair result at all…before that Sri Lanka series we tried to make home our fortress, and we were on the cusp of doing that. We won the last four series in a row before Sri Lanka, and we wanted to continue winning games.

‘Guyana was a challenge, but yet we started off the series quite well. I think if we reflect and look back, too many opportunities we had to win, the batting really did let us down – especially batting first. It doesn’t matter the score at home, when we’re chasing it’s just a boost of confidence for the guys and I think we really need to change that mindset…but I think 3-2, we were not looking for that result,’ Sammy said.

The Trinidad and Tobago government Wednesday said that all six crew members aboard the fishing vessel, St Vincent VII, have been rescued alive after spending several days in distress at sea.

The Ministry of Defence in a statement said that the rescue followed a coordinated response involving a commercial vessel and the Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard and that all six fishermen had been accounted for and were in reasonably good health, with no remarkable injuries reported.

The vessel departed Chaguaramas, west of here, on July 6 with a six-member crew employed in the yellowfin tuna fishing industry. Four of the crew are Trinidad and Tobago nationals, while the others are a Vincentian and a Guyanese captain, Eshwar Persaud, also known as ‘Shanie’.

According to relatives, the fire broke out around 6:30 a.m. (local time), on July 13 while the vessel was operating near the maritime border between Suriname and French Guiana. There has been no contact with the crew since then.

Amanda Suraj, the wife of crew member Shannon ‘Joey’ Mohammed, had appealed for immediate assistance from neighbouring countries and vessels transiting the area.

She urged regional governments, maritime authorities, coast guards and international search-and-rescue agencies to expand search efforts and remain alert for any sign of the missing vessel or its crew.

In its statement on Wednesday, the Ministry of Defence said that the Maritime Operations Command Centre had received a report at on Tuesday night from the crew of the MV Marvel Kite, which was en route to the United States, indicating that while travelling westward approximately 349 nautical miles east of Galeota, they spotted the fishing vessel St Vincent VII which appeared to be in distress.

The crew of the MV Marvel Kite altered course and approached the vessel, where they found six people on board. The ministry said the identities of those rescued matched those of the crew members previously reported missing.

It said that following confirmation that the fishermen had been located, the Maritime Operations Command Centre directed a Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard vessel to rendezvous with the commercial ship.

The rescue brings a successful conclusion to what had become an anxious search for the six-man crew after the fishing vessel was reported missing and although the ministry did not disclose the circumstances that led to the vessel becoming stranded or experiencing difficulties, it said those rescued appeared to have escaped the ordeal without serious injury.

Defence Minister Wayne Sturge expressed the government’s gratitude to the commercial vessel’s crew for their actions, adding that the government appreciated the assistance provided by the MV Marvel Kite. He said further updates on the incident would be released in the coming hours.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani have joined legislators in paying tribute to Trinidadian-American soldier d, who was killed in an Iranian missile strike last week.

Sgt. Rampersad was originally from the Ozone Park neighbourhood of Queens, New York. Her parents, Basdeo and Carol Rampersad, are originally from Trinidad and Tobago.

‘Today, New York mourns the loss of one of our own, Sgt. Angel S. Rampersad of Ozone Park, who is believed to have been killed in action while serving our nation on July 17,’ Hochul said, adding ‘my heart is with her family, loved ones and the soldiers who stood beside her as they grieve this unimaginable loss.

She said Sgt. Rampersad lived a life of ‘courage and selflessness’ and ‘New York and our nation are safer because of brave Americans like her who answer the call to serve.

‘May we honour her memory, remember her sacrifice and keep all who loved her in our prayers,’ she added.

Mamdani said Sgt. Rampersad was killed at a military base in Jordan ‘while serving our country’ and that her ‘courage and sacrifice will be remembered not just in Queens, but across all five boroughs.

‘My deepest condolences are with her family, loved ones, and all those grieving this profound loss. For so many New Yorkers, wars overseas are never distant-they are felt here at home. The sacrifices made by service members and their families are a constant reminder of this,’ Mamdani said, adding ‘we are forever grateful for their service and will work every day to honour it’.

New York City Council Speaker Julie Menin and Council Member Joann Ariola said in a joint statement that ‘our city mourns the presumed loss of Sgt. Angel Sarah Rampersad, an Ozone Park resident who died this past weekend in Jordan serving her country.

‘Our thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends as they grieve the loss of their beloved. As this conflict continues in the Middle East, we pray that all our service members remain safe and return home to their families.’

New York State Assemblywoman Jennifer Rajkumar, representative for the 38th Assembly District, which encompasses Ozone Park, described Sgt. Rampersad as an ‘American hero’.

She told the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC) that Sgt. Rampersad, 28, was serving at Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan, when it came under enemy attack.

‘She answered America’s call with courage, selflessness, and an unwavering commitment to defending our nation and the freedoms we hold dear. Sgt. Rampersad embodied the very best of the United States Army and of our country.

‘She served far from home, stood in harm’s way, and carried out her duty with honour. Her service and sacrifice will never be forgotten by Ozone Park, Queens, New York City, or a grateful nation.

‘We have a sacred obligation to honor those who wear our nation’s uniform and the families who serve and sacrifice alongside them,’ Rajkumar said, adding ‘as a member of the New York State Assembly Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, my commitment is to honor the courage and sacrifice of those who serve and stand with the families who bear that sacrifice alongside them.

‘I stand shoulder to shoulder with her family, especially her parents, Basdeo and Carol, and with all who love her during this unimaginable loss,’ she said.

The Pentagon announced on Tuesday that Sgt. Rampersad ‘is believed to have been killed in action on July 17, 2026, during an enemy attack at Muwaffaq Salti Air Base, Jordan.

‘The incident is under investigation. US Central Command previously announced this soldier as missing. The soldier status was updated to a Duty Status-Whereabouts Unknown and is believed to be deceased.’

Jamaica police are investigating the gruesome murder of a 10-year-old school child, whose partially nude body was found with her throat slashed on a dirt track in bushes in Tyre district near Troy, Trelawny, northwest of here on Tuesday night.

The authorities have identified her as Shanai Coke, otherwise called ‘Kaidra’, a Troy Primary student.

The police are also investigating the death of Delroy Clarke, killed after a mob attacked him and his father following the discovery of the child’s body. The father’s condition is not known.

Residents have accused Clarke of raping and killing the child.

One resident told the Jamaica Observer newspaper that ‘a farmer went to look for his cow when he stumbled on the little girl’s body’.

Meanwhile, the Child Protection and Family Services Agency (CPFSA) Wednesday condemned the killing saying it is horrified and deeply saddened.

In a statement, the CPFSA said the murder is a painful reminder that too many of Jamaica’s children continue to fall victim to horrific acts of violence perpetrated by adults who should be protecting them.

‘There are simply no words that can lessen the pain of this tragedy. This 10-year-old child should have been given the opportunity to fulfil her dreams; her parents should have been given the chance to see her graduate from primary school, from university, to see her walk down the aisle,’ said CPFSA chief executive officer, Laurette Adams Thomas.

:Instead, she was made to become a statistic, another victim of unspeakable violence. We cannot continue to accept these horrific acts as a normal part of our society. Every time a child is abused or murdered, we fail in our collective duty to protect those who depend on us most,’ she added.

The executive director of the Caribbean Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (CCREEE), Dr. Mohammad Rafik Nagdee, Wednesday said that the region’s sustainable energy transition will not be achieved through ambition alone.

‘It will be achieved through institutions that are capable, partnerships that are purposeful, investments that are strategic and leadership that is prepared to act with urgency and foresight,’ he said at the launch of the Accelerated Sustainable Energy and Resilience Transition 2030 (ASERT 2030) Regional Capacity Strengthening Asertive (RCSA) programme.

He said regional countries should seize the opportunity provided through the US$5.29 million initiative, and ‘not simply to implement a programme, but to help shape a more resilient, inclusive, energy-secure and prosperous Caribbean for generations to come’.

The programme is being funded jointly by the Barbados-based Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) and CCREEE with the CDB providing US$4.4 million and CCREEE, US$893,397.

The two regional organisations say the programme comes at a time when renewable energy accounts for only 12 per cent of the Caribbean energy mix and Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) targets are slipping further out of reach.

In his address, Nagdee said the event represents more than the commencement of a new initiative. He said it signals a deliberate shift in how the region approachs sustainable energy development across the Caribbean.

‘Our region has never lacked ambition. Our member states have established renewable energy targets, climate commitments and national development priorities that reflect a clear understanding of where we must go.

‘The greater challenge has been building the institutional strength, technical capacity, data systems, investment pipelines and implementation mechanisms required to translate that ambition into sustained progress,’ Nagdee said, adding ‘that is why the distinction between a programme and a project is important.

‘This is not merely a matter of terminology; it is a matter of strategy. Projects can deliver valuable outputs. However, the transformation of national energy systems cannot be achieved through isolated interventions, disconnected activities or short-term solutions.

‘It requires a long-term, coordinated and programme-based approach – one that strengthens institutions, develops people, improves decision-making, mobilises investment and builds the foundations upon which progress can be sustained and scaled.’

Nagdee said that energy transition before the Caribbean is not simply about replacing one source of electricity with another, but is about redesigning the systems that power our economies and support our societies.

‘It is about strengthening energy security in a region that remains heavily dependent on imported fossil fuels. It is about reducing vulnerability to global price shocks and external disruptions.

‘It is about improving economic competitiveness, creating new industries and employment opportunities, supporting innovation and ensuring that Caribbean people, particularly our young people and women,are equipped to lead and benefit from the transition.

‘Most importantly, it is about resilience. For Small Island Developing States on the front line of climate change, resilient and sustainable energy systems are not an aspiration for the distant future. They are an immediate development imperative.’

Nagdee said across the Caribbean, while significant progress has already been made, institutional, technical and financing constraints continue to affect the speed and scale of implementation.

He said important gaps remain in energy planning, reliable data, investment preparation, specialised expertise and inclusive participation.

He said that the ASERT 2030 Framework, developed under the leadership of the Caribbean Development Bank, responds directly to these realities.

‘It provides a strategic and results-focused platform through which countries can strengthen the systems, institutions and capabilities necessary to accelerate their transition towards resilient, inclusive and low-carbon economies.’

CDB said it will provide technical guidance through its ASERT 2030 Framework, while CCREEE will lead the implementation, drawing on its regional mandate and stewardship of platforms including the CARICOM Energy Knowledge Hub, Energy Report Cards and the Women in Renewable Energy (WIRE) Fellowship programme.

In his address, the CDB’s director of projects, L. O’Reilly Lewis, said across the region, there are abundant renewable energy resources, including solar, wind, geothermal, hydropower and marine energy.

‘We have access to rapidly evolving technologies that can support cleaner, more resilient and more efficient energy systems,’ he said, noting that the key barriers to the Caribbean’s energy transition remain, including limited human, technical and institutional capacity that are needed to turn ambition into action.

He said governments, regulators, utilities and energy professionals must be enabled to plan, implement and manage modern energy systems while having access to reliable data and timely technical advice.

‘Without these capabilities, good projects remain concepts, investment opportunities are delayed, and national targets remain out of reach. Capacity strengthening is a fundamental investment to accelerate the Region’s sustainable energy development.

Riley said that the new initiative is helping CDB member countries scale up and accelerate the investments needed to transform the energy sector.

‘This transformation is urgent. Many Caribbean countries remain heavily dependent on imported petroleum products, exposing economies to fuel price volatility and climate risks.

‘The region needs cleaner, more affordable and resilient energy systems. But investment cannot be scaled without stronger institutions, better planning and the capacity to prepare and implement projects. This programme is designed to help close that gap,’ he added.

Riley said that through this programe, CDB and CCREEE will strengthen energy information and knowledge management, integrated resource and resilience planning, gender equality, professional development and regional dialogue.

He said a central focus is the preparation and updating of Integrated Resource and Resilience Plans (IRRPs) in selected member, noting that these plans will assess energy demand, resources, grid needs, and climate risks within a long-term framework to guide future energy investments.

‘IRRPs will identify practical, least-cost and resilient pathways to expand renewable energy, modernise electricity systems and improve energy security. They will also include action plans and priority investments, creating a clearer path from planning to project preparation, financing and implementation.

‘It will promote greater participation of women in the energy sector and facilitate regional knowledge sharing. Together, these activities will improve decision-making and help turn sustainable energy priorities into practical investments and measurable results.’

Riley said that while Caribbean countries face many common constraints, they often lack the scale, expertise or financial resources to address them individually.

‘A regional approach enables us to share expertise, standardise methodologies, transfer lessons between countries, replicate successful solutions and avoid unnecessary duplication. It also gives the Caribbean a stronger voice and expands opportunities to mobilise financing and technical expertise.

By working together, countries can develop solutions that reflect both regional priorities and national circumstances,’ Riley added.

The Barbados government Tuesday said that the state funeral of National Hero and former West Indies cricket captain, Sir Garfield Sobers, will take place on June 29, at the Kensington Oval.

The cricket legend died last Friday at the age of 89.

‘The State Funeral for the Right Excellence, Sir Garry Sobers, is going to be held at Kensington at 10am on July 29th. This is the Mecca, this is where Sir Garry is best known, this is one of the iconic cricketing grounds and so we will send him off in a Thanksgiving ceremony that will take the format of a state funeral on the 29th of July,’ Health and Wellness Minister, Lisa Cummins, told a news conference.

‘But we also have to acknowledge that he is our own, he is a Barbadian first and foremost, he is loved by our people but he is also a family man,’ she said.

‘And on that basis we have also in the core planning team a representative of the family, the Sobers family, and that is the person of Lady Carol Jacobs who is representing the family and ensuring that the family’s wishes are incorporated in the planning of the state funeral,’ she added.

Sir Garry, considered as the greatest all-rounder in the sport of cricket, passed away at at his home in Highgate Gardens. Since his death, the world has been paying tribute to the Barbadian and West Indian cricket legend.

West Indies beat New Zealand by two wickets in the fifth One Day International at Kensington Oval here on Tuesday.

SCORES:

NEW ZEALAND 268-9 in 50 overs (Tom Latham 69, Nick Kelly 64, Will Young 56; Alzarri Joseph 2-38, Vitel Lawes 2-63).

WEST INDIES 269-8 in 47.3 overs (Shimron Hetmyer 69 not out, Sherfane Rutherford 61, Ackeem Auguste 34; Jayden Lennox 3-35, Jacob Duffy 3-67)

A 39-year-old man has been charged with murdering the key witness in his upcoming armed robbery trial with the prosecution also alleging that Adnan Oliver breached the conditions of his bail by failing to report to a police station 81 times between January 3 and July 8, 2026.

Oliver is accused of killing James McPhee, 59, on July 12, before he could testify against him in a trial that’s scheduled to begin on August 10. The trial is expected to continue with McPhee’s witness statement being admitted into evidence.

Oliver had been accused of robbing McPhee at gunpoint of his Rolex watch in 2019.

He also faces charges of attempted murder, possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life, possession of an unlicensed firearm and possession of ammunition stemming from a shoot-out with police.

Two off-duty officers, Chief Superintendent Harris Cash and Superintendent Elvis Miller, allegedly exchanged gunfire with Oliver as they pursued him after allegedly seeing him roll over McPhee with his car.

Oliver was shot and arrested and the officers allegedly recovered a 9mm pistol and five rounds of ammunition.

Oliver was not required to enter pleas to those charges and was denied bail. Although he is accused of killing a witness, he was not charged under the section that would make him eligible for the death penalty.

The matter was adjourned to October 30 for the presentation of a voluntary bill of indictment that will fast-track the case to the Supreme Court.

Oliver pleaded guilty to violation of bail, but Magistrate Abigail Farrington did not accept his plea because his explanation amounted to a defense.

He will be tried for that matter on August 11.