(CMR) Christopher Bush, 31, appeared in Summary Court Tuesday afternoon, where his bail application was denied by Chief Magistrate Valdis Foldats. Bush was recently arrested on charges of possession of an imitation firearm and possession of MDMA/ecstasy.
The prosecution laid out the facts surrounding the circumstances of the imitation firearm offense in its efforts to have the courts deny bail. The alleged victim, known to Bush, was said to be threatened by Bush at Cotton Club on August 15 with a “.40 caliber-looking firearm.”
On October 2, he was stopped by police where they discovered a zip lock bag containing MDMA, more commonly known as ecstasy. The ODD shared that although his previous expenses were not firearm related, they still had reason to believe he had easy access to firearms to harm, wound or kill.
The court heard how Bush had 4 previous convictions relating to failure to surrender, with the last one being in 2017. The DPP vehemently opposed the bail application, given his previous history and likelihood of being involved in further criminal activity.
The defense attorney, Pratha Bodden, countered that the more serious firearm offense was the word of two men against each other with no independent proof of the firearm offense. She further stated that the evidence would eventually show that the victim was “a gang member with a lengthy incarceration record.”
Admitting to his previous convictions, Bodden shared that he was dealing with drug addiction with no “social support” since 2010, and for the most part, he was a user. Magistrate Foldats countered that he convictions for supply also.
In denying the application Magistrate Foldats shared that, unfortunately, his past convictions would be held against him as it was a predictor of future behavior. He also noted that whilst in custody, he admitted to the drug charge, which would result in a custodial sentence given his previous convictions.
The fact that Bush has previously absconded from the jurisdiction while having been charged against him in a previous matter also concerned the court. The judge noted that “as far as I recall, you were gone for quite some time.”
“People carry their history with them”
He also noted that the imitation firearm offense, if proven to be true, also crosses the custody threshold and would result in “many years in custody.”
The attorneys agreed to exchange legal papers and be back in court on October 12 to further the matter through the court system.
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