Yesterdays Court Hearing

[Pia]

I know alot of people are following this story - here is the outcome from yesterdays hearing from todays newspaper.

Pia

"Aug. 6, 2007 -- A hearing sometime over the next three days will determine whether 18-year-old Kamal "Six Pack" Thomas, charged with the widely publicized killing of St. John resident James "Jamie" Cockayne, will be detained without bail pending an upcoming trial.
Cockayne, who had recently moved to St. John, was stabbed to death some time after midnight on June 19 in downtown Cruz Bay. According to police reports, Cockayne was transported by ambulance to the Myrah Keating Smith Community Health Center, where he was pronounced dead at 1:10 a.m. (See "St. John Man Arrested in Cockayne Murder.")
During an advice-of-rights hearing held in V.I. Superior Court Monday, prosecuting attorney Renee Gumbs Carty said she had recently filed a motion requesting a detention hearing for Thomas. Since the defense had not yet reviewed the document, Superior Court Judge Leon H. Kendall said that a pre-trial detention hearing -- which will determine whether the motion will be granted -- would be scheduled within the next three days.
In the meantime, Thomas will be held at the Golden Grove Correctional Facility on St. Croix on first-degree murder and assault charges, along with the charge of using a dangerous weapon during the commission of a crime of violence.
Police picked up Thomas, a native of Atlanta, Ga., and resident of Gifft Hill, on Friday after a warrant for his arrest was issued by Superior Court Judge Brenda J. Hollar.
Kendall also found probable cause to hold Thomas on another charge -- allegedly intimidating or retaliating against the witness who reported the murder to the police. In this instance, Kendall found Thomas to be a flight risk, with no substantial ties to the community.
Thomas will be held on a $25,000 surety bond, Kendall said. "This means that someone has to post a piece of property that is two times the value of the bond -- or $50,000 -- in order for you to be released," the judge explained to Thomas.
During Monday's hearing, Thomas remained subdued -- generally keeping his head bowed and eyes lowered -- as Kendall advised him of his rights. At some points, he shook his head or moved his shoulders erratically. Under questioning from the judge, Thomas also kept his hands behind his back, often playing with a small section of his shirt.
Thomas rarely looked at Kendall when answering questions, and kept his voice low. Unlike others in the courtroom, Thomas' red Bureau of Corrections uniform was disheveled, and his hair -- approximately two or three inches long -- stuck out from his head.
Thomas' arraignment on the charge of intimidating a witness is scheduled for 9 a.m. Aug. 16."

[kirk]

So he wasn't a local.

[MarciaMarciaMarcia]

Thanks for posting that. It will be interesting to learn what kind of a rap sheet this kid has both on the islands and back in Ga. If he has a history of committing violent crimes as a juvenile would those records have been expunged when he turned 18? Does it depend on the state? Anyone know?

[JT]

Thanks, Pia, for keeping us up to date. Kirk, from Pia's post it sounded like he was a local, but not a native St. Johnian,i.e. he is a native from GA, but a resident of Gift Hill. Regardless, it's a sad chain of events. I especially feel badly for the victim's family. I also feel for the perp's family. I feel badly for the community of STJ and for the Free Spirit that is St. John. Scars from this type of thing cut deeply for all.

[alw1977]

I know someone has posted about the CNN report on this story, but it's up on the main page now - headline reads "Island murder, parents' search for justice."

Sad story, horrible that the suspect is originally from my home city. Not surprised though, plenty of bad folks hanging around this place.

[Bug]

Thanks for keeping us updated on the events Pia. As it has been said so many times, it is just devestating that such a crime is committed. It truely doesn matter where it happens or who it happens to...a life lost is a life lost.

XOXO
Bug

[CShell1019]

You can also read the transcript of the CNN coverage last nite @ http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/ ... cd.02.html

[designbyroe]

Pia,
You may be able to answer this,I read the letter to the editor in the Tradewinds. It is the one from the roomate of the suspected murderers.
They mention Jamie got into alot of altercations.
I remember The Front Yard (from when I was on island 2 yrs ago living) as being a place that could have a rough crowd and most roaming the streets at midnight were looking for trouble or sometimes to score something
I never had any issue and I lived in the Tradewinds Bldg for a time........I just wonder if that letter is someone who knows more then we all know.
I am not saying that Jamie was looking for a fight but he must have been with friends on Cruz Bay, not just walking around alone

[Eric on St John]

According to the Daily News, Thomas told the judge he had been in Tortola prior to coming here a year ago and admitted to a criminal record there, but did not explain more. His friend "selmo" is currently a "person of interest" and had an altercation with Cockayne at the bar earlier.

[jimg20]

If anyone is interested, here is the CNN link for today's story.

http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/law/08/07/bt ... index.html

It is interesting that nothing too much happened until the CNN crew arrived last week. Do you believe in coincidences?

JIM

[kirk]

FNC just reported that he's to be tried in juvy court.

[designbyroe]

why as a juvy? he is 18? we let you drink at 18 on island.....so we consider you an adult......

[StJohnRuth]

Pia,
You may be able to answer this,I read the letter to the editor in the Tradewinds...... I just wonder if that letter is someone who knows more then we all know.

Designbyroe, I'm not sure I understand exactly what question you are asking Pia.
Are you asking if she thinks the young man who wrote that letter knows more than people in the states who are reading internet forums and watching FOX and CNN 360? Is this what you mean to ask?
-Ruth

[designbyroe]

Pia,
You may be able to answer this,I read the letter to the editor in the Tradewinds...... I just wonder if that letter is someone who knows more then we all know.

Designbyroe, I'm not sure I understand exactly what question you are asking Pia.
Are you asking if she thinks the young man who wrote that letter knows more than people in the states who are reading internet forums and watching FOX and CNN 360? Is this what you mean to ask?
-Ruth

yes Ruth that is somewhat my line of questioning.
I was just wondering if this Luke McCain is roomates with 'six pack' or someone else?
Also I know from living on STJ from 2003-2005 that I walked from Quiet Mon to Tradewinds Bldg and past front yard and never got hassled.
I guess to me (and we may never know) was there someone with Jamie when he left Front Yard?
It all seems so sketchy.

[Connie]

More details are in the www.virginislandsdailynews. Dated August 7th.

I always felt bad about this murder, but i feel even worse now when you read almost a minute by minute story from a witness.

So sad.