WATCH ABOVE: Jimmy Melvin Jr. is back behind bars. Melvin is no stranger to the justice system, but this weekend he was picked up and charged with a number of offences, including the 6-year-old murder of a member of a rival gang member. Global’s Natasha Pace reports.
HALIFAX — There was heavy security at Halifax Provincial Court Monday morning as Jimmy Melvin Jr. made his first court appearance. The 33-year-old is facing a number of charges, including first-degree-murder.
Melvin is accused of fatally shooting rival gang member Terry Marriott Jr. in a Harrietsfield home in February of 2009. For 6 years, investigators believed Melvin was responsible for the murder, but only laid charges this weekend after getting new information.
“A charge of first-degree murder means that there was some planning to the event,” Supt. Jim Perrin, Halifax Regional Police said Sunday afternoon. “That’s the evidence that we put forward to the crown, that this was a premeditated crime.”
With the ongoing tension between the Melvin and Marriott families, officials took no chances at court.
“Certainly, security is always an issue and both the police and the sheriffs have been taking this seriously and upping the security in the area,” said Crown Attorney Rick Woodburn.
Inside the courthouse, there were a dozen supporters for the Marriott family. One woman, who didn’t identify herself, called Jimmy Melvin Jr. “a coward.”
The court heard an additional charge of Conspiracy to Commit Murder will also be laid against Melvin. That stems from an incident in 2008, where it’s alleged he tried to kill Terry Marriott Jr., but failed.
His lawyer is worried about how much time has passed since the murder.
“Common sense indicates that memories fade over the passage of time,” said Pat MacEwen. “Mr Melvin’s upset that he’s been charged, he’s upset that he’s been accused of this, he maintains that he’s not guilty of this and I expect we’ll be fighting this all the way through the court system.”
It’s believed Melvin will face three separate trials, one for drugs, a second for attempted murder and conspiracy to commit murder and a third for the murder of Marriott. For now, he will remain behind bars.
“He remains in custody until his next court appearance and the crown would be opposing of course any form of release for Mr. Melvin.” Woodburn said.
Melvin’s next scheduled court appearance is set for September 8 at 9:30 a.m.
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