Shamal Smith knew he ran errands for a wanted man, court hears
The third person charged with harbouring the recently recaptured prison escapee Jose Almestica is alleged to have ran errands for him and knew he was hiding from the police.
Shamal Smith, a 31-year-old Billing and Admission Officer with the BVI Health Services Authority, joins his sister Renee Smith and Jennifer Smith, who are also charged with harbouring.
He was denied bail when he appeared in the Magistrate’s Court yesterday.
The prosecution alleged that Shamal told police officers when questioned, that he knew Almestica was a wanted man as he had seen articles in the news about it.
However, Shamal’s lawyer, Stephen Daniels, told the court his client did not inform the police that he knew Almestica was wanted in the Virgin Islands.
Daniels said his client informed officers that he knew Almestica was wanted in another jurisdiction and not the Virgin Islands. The attorney also noted his client had no knowledge the prisoner had escaped Her Majesty’s Prison as he left the territory in November 2017, shortly after hurricanes Irma and Maria.
The court was told Shamal did not return to the Virgin Islands until last year.
Young friendship
The prosecution further alleged that Shamal would also run errands for Almestica. The court heard that he had told police officers he met Almestica in 2020 in East End and they became friends.
It was also said that Almestica would frequently visit Shamal’s home in Fort Hill. The prosecution told the court on November 29 that a telephone number belonging to Almestica made a call to a local restaurant for a meal.
It was said Shamal collected the food in a blue Mazda, which also transported Almestica. The prosecution alleged the car belonged to Shamal’s sister, Renee.
The prosecution said a search warrant was executed at Shamal’s residence and a television set and other items similar to what was seen in Almestica’s apartment were found.
It was also said that documents related to two motorcycles found at Almestica’s apartment in Ballast Bay were also recovered at Shamal’s residence.
Shamal, who is a US Virgin Islands citizen, faces up to 14 years imprisonment if he is found guilty of the offences. His matter was adjourned to February 2, 2022.
Low-wage gov’t worker paid $5.5K monthly for prison escapee’s rent
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You know, I would blame the Police for some of this because I thought the guy (Almestica) was in hiding but it sounds like he was freely moving about the island. And if the Police never actively putting out wanted posters or bulletins asking the public to be on the lookout for this guy, then how the hell were we suppose to know that he was wanted??? Something is seriously wrong with this place dread. What a sloppy territory. Everything is dysfunctional top to bottom. A fugitive was roaming the country and only a hand full of people knew. I heard the man was actually at the SPA getting a massage when he was busted. WTF…
It seems you missed the bus! Its very clear that the police knew where he was and was trailing him for months if not years. This case appears to be much bigger than just a prisoner escaping and there is perhaps a reason they waited before picking him up. Long rope does hang quick.
He was on the loose for 4 years jackass. Do you want a fugitive living among us for that length of time? And God knows what other crimes he may have committed within that time. You will soon find out.
I actually agree with this. And we’ve had a few murders in those 4 years
yes he was wanted for 4 years but he was not on island for the said 4 years of escape obviously he return January!!
And how do you know he returned in January? And returned how and returned why? He illegally returned to a country that he’s wanted in….That’s even worse than being here the whole time if you ask me. Please don’t say anymore because none of this is making sense.
Makes me wonder about certain murders that were carried out after the hurricane,especially those on the western side of the island
Oh shut the h**l up. This happens everywhere in the world. Y’all always looking or a reason to cast the BVI in the lake of fire.
“Shamal, who is a US Virgin Islands citizen…”
Why is this relevant? His people are from the BVI and he was raised here. I can never understand why nationality is always included in every article. It’s not like he just came here to commit a crime.
Oh so because his ppl from here all of a sudden u dnt understand why nationality is always included. But let it had been a BORN HERE with parents from elsewhere or someone of another nationality with ppl from here jus like him…it wudda been a whole heap of “deport him” “them comin here to blah blah blah”….set of hypocrites. na keep tha same energy for him to! yal slickening.
To OH?! I actually agree with you budd…No argument here. From here or not, every article does not need to mention nationality unless it bears some relevance to the situation. For example, if illegal immigrants are caught here then nationality is relevant to where they came from and how they got here. If you are born and raised here, you are a Virgin Islander in my book, regardless of where your parents are from. But if you are not a citizen and you commit a crime, you should be deported. I don’t think that should be up for debate.
Get Ayo down island sk**t from off we island
I from Up island…..what not? lmaoooo clown!
I from Up Island…..what now? lmaaaaoooo clown!
It is likely used to infer that there is a possibility to flee.
“The prosecution said a search warrant was executed at Shamal’s residence and a television set and other items similar to what was seen in Almestica’s apartment were found.”
This is a funny statement. Search any two residences and you’re likely to find a television set and other similar items in them.
What was meant to be conveyed with this sentence?
Jose just a pawn to expose the KING
A PRISONER ESCAPED ( so they say ) LEFT THE COUNTRY , AND RETURNED AND LOOK AT WHAT WAS DISCOVERED AT HIS APPARTMENT ?? AND THOSE RIGHTEOUS PRETENDERS STILL SAYING JASPERT WANT MAKE THE BVI LOOK BAD ( WELL HALLELUIAH
shut yall mouth bout the police did not send out no posters of the wanted man nonsense even you had seen a poster yall would never had said anything same way so stop the BS. Ppl are not speaking up and thats why things keep happening and ppl keep getting away. Only when it hits home then you will want to talk up and crying out to ppl for help.