July 1, 2005 A 20-year-old man is being held without bail, charged with first-degree murder in the killing of Tristan A. Charlier and Leon H. Roberts.
Police announced late Friday night they had picked up Jahmal Hart, whose address was given as 97 Estate Anna's Fancy, at 4:15 p.m. Friday near lower Kronprindsens Gade. A release from Police spokesman Sgt. Thomas Hannah said Hart was arrested by the VIPD Major Crime Squad without incident.
Hart is being held without bail pending an advice of rights hearing in Superior Court. Hannah said he expected the hearing would take place either Saturday or Monday.
Charlier, 24 and Roberts, 25, were found dead of multiple gunshot wounds at a bus stop on Veterans Drive across from the Arturo Watlington Post Office about 2:30 a.m. June 15. They had come to St. Thomas from New York City to attend a friend's wedding. (See "Police Identify Slain New Yorkers, Continue Investigation".)
Until Friday's arrest nothing but questions surrounded the double homicide that baffled the St. Thomas community.
Charlier and Roberts had no record of any kind of criminal activity and were well thought of in their own communities. They were visiting St. Thomas for the first time and had been on the island only 14 hours when they were killed. ( See "Friends and Family Gather to Mourn and Remember Slain Men" and "Only Questions Remain for Family and Police 2 Weeks After Killings").
Police remain tightlipped on the details of the arrest. The investigation is ongoing, Hannah said.
The release said the families of the victims had been notified of the arrest.
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