By LAMECH JOHNSON

Tribune Staff Reporter

ljohnson@tribunemedia.net

TWO men accused of the hold up and near-fatal shooting of a senior police officer is expected to stand trial today in the Supreme Court, less than a year since being arraigned in Magistrate’s Court.

Maurice Armbrister and Excell Josey are scheduled to be tried before Justice Carolita Bethell in connection with the late night attack on Supt Clayton Fernander outside his home.

Both Armbrister, 23, of Faith Gardens and Josey, 21, of Balls Alley, face a charge of attempted armed robbery and attempted murder relating to the April 10, 2013 incident.

Armbrister was further charged with possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition, alleged to have had a black-silver Smith and Wesson .45 pistol with 29 .45 bullets in his possession on the same day.

It is claimed that on the day in question, both men, concerned with others, attempted to cause the death of Supt Fernander. It is also claimed that they tried to rob him while armed with a handgun.

Supt Fernander was shot multiple times in the arm and upper body when two masked, armed men confronted him shortly after he pulled up at his residence in the St Vincent Road area. He was armed at the time, but was not able to return fire.

Both men were arraigned in Magistrate’s Court six days later where they were not required to enter a plea to the first two charges because the charges were indictable.

Armbrister pleaded not guilty to the firearm and ammunition charges.

Josey has retained Romona Farquharson-Seymour to defend him while Armbrister is presented by Wayne Munroe and Roberto Reckley.