Diamonds International heist suspect remains on gurney during court appearance
Jonathan Mark Ramoon, 36, who was injured after being chased down by Police Commissioner David Baines in his car immediately after the robbery, remained on a gurney throughout his appearance in Summary Court.
Crown Counsel Marilyn Brandt advised Magistrate Grace Donalds that Ramoon could walk, but Cayman Islands Hospital authorities wanted him brought to court on the gurney “because he is still in their care.”
The defendant covered his face with his sheet as he was wheeled from the ambulance to the door of Court Four, on the ground floor of Kirk House, by three Emergency Medical Services crew. He was also accompanied by several police officers.
There were no obvious injuries to Ramoon’s face or head, but both feet were heavily bandaged, and he also had bandages on his right arm. Ms Brandt said the injuries were sustained after the robbery.
Ramoon, who sat upright on the gurney, wore a blue-and-white checkered hospital gown. His court appearance lasted about 15 minutes.
The charges against Ramoon allege that he, together with Christopher Julian Myles, 32, and James Herbert McLean, 22, robbed Diamomnds International of jewelry valued at more than $750,0000, and that he, with Myles and McLean, had in his possession a firearm with intent to commit robbery.
Since robbery is a charge that must be transmitted immediately to the Grand Court, Ms Brandt asked that Ramoon be brought back on Friday, Jan. 17, to join co-defendants Myles and McLean.
However, defense attorney Prathna Bodden indicated that there would not be any advance in the case by Friday. Using the ambulance again to transport Ramoon would not be in the best interest of anybody because someone else might need it in an emergency, she said. “He is not going to be able to walk to court,” Ms Bodden pointed out.
She noted that the medical report Ms Brandt referred to was not final, and Ramoon still needed MRI and CT scans.
She had earlier spoken in private with her client inside the ambulance when it arrived outside the court.
The magistrate accepted the application to have the charges transmitted to Grand Court. However, she rejected Friday as the return date, saying, “I cannot believe it can be in the best interest of Mr. Ramoon, the public, or the court.”
She set the mention for Friday, Jan. 24.
Ramoon again covered his head with the sheet before the EMS crew wheeled him outside.
Ms Brandt told the court that the firearm recovered had been tested and was found to be operable. She said it fell under the Firearms Law as a lethal-barreled weapon.
Ms Bodden indicated she would not be applying for bail while her client remained in hospital. Ms Brandt said the Crown would be objecting to bail and she will ask that Ramoon be transferred to Northward Prison after he is released from hospital.
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