Barnes found guilty over hidden handgun

| 07/06/2017 | 26 Comments

(CNS): Andy Barnes was found guilty on Monday of possession of an unlicensed firearm, while his two co-defendants, Amber Yates and Yannick McLaughlin, were both acquitted following a jury trial last week. The .38 revolver was hidden behind a grill at the back of a microwave and discovered by police during a search at the apartment on Crewe Road, George Town, where Barnes was staying. Barnes (36) is known to have gang associations and in 2010 his 4-year-old child was shot and killed in gang violence when a rival gangster was aiming at Barnes.

Devon Anglin was tried twice for the murder of Barnes’ son, Jeremiah, but he was acquitted both times by the judges, who heard the case without a jury, due to inconsistencies in the evidence.

This is not the first time Barnes has been charged with possession of a gun, but charges in one case were dropped while in another he was acquitted.

In this case, the evidence against Barnes was based largely on forensic evidence, as his DNA was on the gun in many places, while a trace of Yates’ DNA was also on the weapon. McLaughlin’s DNA was not found on the gun but he was incriminated by Barnes, who told police the gun belonged to McLaughlin.

However, in the end, the jury found that the only person unlawfully in possession of the loaded gun was Barnes. The local man was remanded in custody until 23 June, when he is expected to be sentenced. He is now facing a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years.

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Category: Courts, Crime

Comments (26)

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  1. Anonymous says:

    Finally got this dude off the street but 10 years in Northward is not enough.

    Here is an idea for our new government… Legislate life in prison for possession of an unlicensed gun or illegal use of a real OR imitation!!!

  2. Anonymous says:

    ha ha ha!?

  3. Anonymous says:

    Convicted largely on DNA evidence?, what about a recent case where the accused’s DNA was all over the gun, and representing himself in court, his claim it was planted by the police gained him an acquittal.

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    • Anonymous says:

      On what basis should the jury have presumed that the police planted the offending loaded handgun and DNA evidence in the microwave vent of a renowned gang associate – one who admits knowing about the 0.38, but tried to ascribe ownership to his accomplice in spite of the DNA record?

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  4. Crimewatch 119 says:

    734pm this is how we do it what an idiot safe and tranquil you obviously don’t have a clue of whats going, yes jail one and leave the real danger and menace to society to roam these streets to continue to commit serious crimes oh how complacent we have be come when we celebrate any kind of result when a conviction of all make us have a small sigh of relief all it be temporary till they get parole.

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  5. FACT$ says:

    “Tables Turn Ol Boy”

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  6. Anonymous says:

    oh couse …..they females. they should and always be aquitted! it the court system all over the world….

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  7. Anonymous says:

    Was always going to happen, a tragedy made worse by too much drama.

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  8. Anonymous says:

    I don’t understand how it’s culturally okay on such a small island with serious known gang and transshipment problems to publish the nine names of our fresh new prison guards in the paper…and somehow we expect these guards to remain anonymous, safe, and free of coercion. When are we going to reconcile our Walt Disney perception with the Scarface reality?

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    • Anonymous says:

      What the hell does your comment have to do with this article????

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      • Anonymous says:

        Dealers, kingpins, and high profile associates (like those busted in this article) are destined for Northward – which, we all know, isn’t supposed to have cell phones, drugs and other business and social comforts – yet we publish the names of our vulnerable prison guards and pretend to be surprised when these things find their way inside the “secure” perimeter. Maybe we should have more respect for the identity of prison guards (and all honest people) to protect them from all of the bad people roaming on the outside? The voter’s list gives these punks their home address to pay a post-shift house call with their handguns (also subject of the article). #handguns #notjustforholdups

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  9. Anonymous says:

    A good ole ten piece.

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  10. Anonymous says:

    Excellent result!! This is how you do it. Well done to RCIPS and the Justice system and all concerned. Let’s show these criminals we mean business and that the law abiding citizens of these islands will not tolerate such behaviour. Together we will get Cayman back to the safe tranquil islands it used to be.

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    • Anonymous says:

      Right.

      But, it’s a known fact that certain prisoners still conduct criminal behaviour and send out “orders” from within HMP.

      I for one wish to someday (highly unlikely) see a society of people who have the right mentalities to sustain a thriving and healthy economy.

      Mentality is the issue; change that and you win for everyone. But we know this takes time and actual effort on many of our parts…it won’t happen.

      So, lets continue to lock them up for $60,000 a year like the caged animals we know they are (temporary fix). The beat goes on. 90% of criminals in HMP have children….

      Wonder what they will grow-up to become?

    • Anonymous says:

      Neither Andy’s first arrest, nor his first trip to Northward – he’s been there for various drug/gang offenses and well as serving a previous 8 month sentence in 2011 for munitions. Reformed he ain’t. At least there’s no sweetheart “Goodyear Direction” mitigating circumstances deal this time. He’s going to be bunking with Devon Anglin for quite a while (the presumed killer of his son, serving life sentence for murder of Carlos Webster at Next Level nightclub). Unfortunately, there are far too many homegrown, school-leaving, teen-parent illiterates willing to fill their void. It’s not realistic to think we can catch and accommodate them all.

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  11. Anonymous says:

    I taught him and his brother when they were in primary school. Totally out of control and no help from home from a mother who was also a terrible problem at school. And, btw, pure Caymanian.

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    • Anon2 says:

      Pure caymanian? Thought those didn’t exist, I guess they don’t when status grant talks are taking place, then we’re all caymanians. Expats are bias.

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    • Anonymous says:

      Sorry to hear of your experience with them, and we all know of his past, but what pray tell does their nationality have to do with anything? We know we have our homegrown monsters – as everywhere else in the world does as well.

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      • Anonymous says:

        So you’ve never seen the many many comments on CNS blaming crime, in particular violent crime, on foreigners, especially Jamaicans? That is why posters seek to remind Caymanians that they are the main, though not the only, perpetrators.

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    • Anonymous says:

      I was a police officer who had lot’s of unfortunate dealings with him when he was a juvenile. I can also
      attest that his mother was almost a bigger problem for the police, as he was.

      In the end, he loses his own beautiful son and she her own grandson to gun & gang violence.

      God knew best to take their offspring into heaven early. As you can see today, he hasn’t changed his old dirty bad habits – ways.

      Parents and other family members – STOP CLOAKING your children into their DIRT. Remember the only persons who are not prejudice in the Cayman Islands is our hard working and dedicated undertakers at Bodden & Churchills, who are on call 24 hours per day.

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    • Anonymous says:

      Sounds just about right on the school/teachers getting no help from his mother. Everyone is quick to blame the schools but it’s an uphill battle with most of these “parents”.

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