By PAVEL BAILEY

Tribune Staff Reporter

pbailey@tribunemedia.net

A TEENAGE accused of murder claimed in court that he was attacked in prison by a relative of the man he is accused of killing, leaving him with swelling to his jaw and chin.

The 18-year-old, whose name is being withheld because he was a minor at the time of the alleged offence, appeared before Senior Justice Cheryl Grant-Thompson seeking bail after more than four years on remand.

He and others are accused of shooting and killing 30-year-old Philip Ferguson in Pinewood Gardens on June 1, 2020. He also faces eight counts of possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life and eight counts of attempted murder.

Defence attorney Myra Russell said her client was placed among adult detainees when he was assaulted in prison. She said the attack was allegedly carried out by Ahmad “Maddie” Clarke, who she claimed was related to the deceased, and that it appeared to have been planned.

Ms Russell said her client received only painkillers and bandages for his injuries and questioned how he could be considered safe if kept in custody. She added that the defendant’s father reported he is routinely transported with adult inmates between the Magistrate’s and Supreme Courts.

The attorney rejected prosecution claims that the teenager has gang ties, saying the allegation has caused stigma and trauma. She said he is not a danger to the public and noted that he missed the birth of his child while on remand.

Prosecutor Karine McVean said the defendant had been housed in the juvenile section of the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services and did not suffer serious injuries. She said he was placed under tighter security following the incident, which involved a relative of the alleged victim.

Mrs McVean argued that the teenager would be safer in prison, warning that other relatives of the deceased might target him if released.

The defendant told the court he spent only 30 minutes in the juvenile section before a supervisor ordered him moved to the general population. He also said he was chained with adults during transport to court.

The defendant recently turned 18. His Voluntary Bill of Indictment for murder is scheduled for service on November 12, with the bail hearing to continue on November 19.