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PHILIPSBURG--Four suspects are to go on trial June 24 for involvement in an attempted armed robbery at Atlantis Casino on November 16, 2014.
Three of these suspects, K.D. (19), C.M.B. (21) and C.A.H. (21), were already called before a Judge on March 25, only to hear the prosecutor and one of their lawyers requesting a delay in the hearing of their cases. A fourth suspect was led before a Judge at the Court of First Instance on Wednesday.
Prosecutor Gonda van der Wulp said in March that a fourth suspect, B.A.E.W (22), was arrested in this case. She said additional DNA material found on some clothing still needed to be analysed by Netherlands Forensic Institute (NFI).
As the Prosecutor's Office wanted to put all four suspects on trial at the same time, Van der Wulp requested the court to postpone the hearing in their cases until June 24.
In the midday robbery, a security guard was shot at the casino in Cupecoy when he was confronted by three armed robbers. Three suspects, all dressed like women, had entered the casino and had threatened the cashier with a gun with the intention to rob the establishment. The security guard was alerted to the ongoing situation and confronted the suspects, at which time he was shot in his legs. He was taken to St. Maarten Medical Center for treatment.
The Prosecutor's Office is holding the four suspects responsible for the armed robbery, during which US $28,000 was taken. Suspects also were charged with theft with violence and with firearm possession.
W. was led before a Judge on Wednesday, and claimed he was innocent. His attorney Zylena Bary announced that she would want to hear her client's co-suspects as witnesses.
W. told the Judge he wanted to go home, but his request to await his trial in freedom was declined, among other reasons, because he is on probation for similar crimes.
C.M.B.'s pre-trial detention was lifted for medical reasons. All other suspects remain in custody.
