NASSAU, BAHAMAS – Jevon Seymour, 35, a Royal Bahamas Defence Force (RBDF) marine, was charged on Friday with the April 28, 2019 murder of RBDF Officer Philip Perpall.
Seymour, who was escorted into the magistrate court by more than a dozen armed police officers, stood before Chief Magistrate Joyann Ferguson-Pratt, charged with the shooting death Perpall, a veteran RBDF Officer and Guard Commander at Government House.
Seymour was also charged with the attempted murder of Kelvin Hanna and Ellis Rahming.
According to police, around 3:00 a.m. on Sunday, April 28, Perpall was sitting in the guard room at Government House with another Marine, while others were on break.
Police reported that a male with a hand gun opened fire on the Guard Commander, hitting him several times.
Paramedics were summoned and pronounced Perpall dead at the scene.
On Friday, Seymour was not required to enter a plea, he wasdenied bail, and was remanded to The Bahamas Department of Corrections until June 20thfor a Voluntary Bill of Indictment.
Meanwhile, what started off Friday as a peaceful family prayer between the relatives of the accused, turned into brawl between family members of the accused and the victim.
Eyewitness News Online spoke to the defendant’s attorney, Krysta Mason-Smith, who said that the case will be appropriately handled.
“We are not insensitive to what is happening in our community, however any person who is brought before the court is presumed innocent until proven guilty,” Mason-Smith said.
“Notwithstanding what the perception may be, he too is entitled to his due process under the law.
“At this time, I cannot say much. All I can say is our heart goes out to anyone who loses a family member or friend in any instance of this nature.
“We will deal with the matter at the appropriate forum and at the appropriate time.”
