Beautiful Virgin Islands

Friday, Sep 05, 2025

Witness in Purcell murder put in protection after PI makes contact

Witness in Purcell murder put in protection after PI makes contact

Royden Sebastian — the man accused in the murder of Purcell Estate resident, George Burrows — has been refused bail and a witness in his case placed in protective custody after the court learned of new, ‘concerning’ developments.

During the incident which took place on September 2, 2020, Sebastian, 38, allegedly killed the victim at his home sometime after 9 pm and also allegedly attempted to kill two of Burrows’ sons. One of the sons — the alleged original target — reportedly escaped while the gun jammed when it was later placed to the head of another son who is confined to a wheelchair.

During his High Court appearance before Justice Richard Floyd last month, prosecutors argued that Sebastian is “a danger to interfere with the course of justice, including witnesses and the investigation”.

They further argued that there was a significant safety risk owing to his criminal record and claimed that he has access to firearms. However, no evidence was put before the court to support the assertion, outside of his criminal record.

Sebastian, who has an extensive criminal record stretching from as far back as 2005, just recently completed a six-year prison term as part of a ten-year reduced sentence for armed robbery. Before that, he had also been convicted of keeping a firearm without a license, possession of explosives, being armed with an offensive weapon and unlawful wounding.

Eyewitness placed into Justice Protection Program


In their arguments against bail, prosecutors also referred to contact being made with their main witness by a private investigator hired on behalf of counsel for Sebastian.

They argued this caused concern and anxiety on the part of the witness, such that the witness has been placed into the Justice Protection Programme. Other witnesses who still reside in the victim’s home are reportedly still fearful of Sebastian.

On the other hand, the Defence argued that Sebastian is not a flight risk, has ties to the community and conditions can be imposed to deal with any concerns that may exist regarding potential interference with witnesses and the preservation of public order.

Violent record gave judge pause


Justice Floyd, while agreeing that Sebastian was not a likely flight risk, said the element of public safety was a significant cause for concern.

According to the Judge, Sebastian’s record was troubling.

“It is serious and substantial,” Judge Floyd said. “The entries for wounding, possession of a firearm and armed robbery, with the latter resulting in a lengthy sentence, give me pause.”

He said Sebastian’s record was not so old as to be irrelevant nor were the entries too few to be discounted.

The presence of at least one eye witness who identifies the accused, coupled with the significant and violent record of Sebastian, led the judge to conclude that there are very real concerns with him interfering with the administration of justice and committing further crimes if released.

“I am not satisfied that any suitable bail conditions could be crafted to prevent that. His record for violence and the possession and use of firearms cannot be discounted nor overcome. The risk is too great. The protection and safety of the public is paramount,” Justice Floyd stated.

Defence attorney David Penn represents Sebastian while Kellee-Gai Smith appeared for the Prosecution.

Newsletter

Related Articles

Beautiful Virgin Islands
0:00
0:00
Close
Putin Celebrates ‘Unprecedentedly High’ Ties with China as Gazprom Seals Power of Siberia-2 Deal
China Unveils New Weapons in Grand Military Parade as Xi Hosts Putin and Kim
Queen Camilla’s Teenage Courage: Fended Off Attempted Assault on London Train, New Biography Reveals
Scottish Brothers Set Record in Historic Pacific Row
Rapper Cardi B Cleared of Liability in Los Angeles Civil Assault Trial
Google Avoids Break-Up in U.S. Antitrust Case as Stocks Rise
Couple celebrates 80th wedding anniversary at assisted living facility in Lancaster
Information Warfare in the Age of AI: How Language Models Become Targets and Tools
The White House on LinkedIn Has Changed Their Profile Picture to Donald Trump
"Insulted the Prophet Muhammad": Woman Burned Alive by Angry Mob in Niger State, Nigeria
Trump Responds to Death Rumors – Announces 'Missile City'
Court of Appeal Allows Asylum Seekers to Remain at Essex Hotel Amid Local Tax Boycott Threats
Germany in Turmoil: Ukrainian Teenage Girl Pushed to Death by Illegal Iraqi Migrant
United Krack down on human rights: Graham Linehan Arrested at Heathrow Over Three X Posts, Hospitalised, Released on Bail with Posting Ban
Asian and Middle Eastern Investors Avoid US Markets
Ray Dalio Warns of US Shift to Autocracy
Eurozone Inflation Rises to 2.1% in August
Russia and China Sign New Gas Pipeline Deal
China's Robotics Industry Fuels Export Surge
Suntory Chairman Resigns After Police Probe
Gold Price Hits New All-Time Record
Von der Leyen's Plane Hit by Suspected Russian GPS Interference in an Incident Believed to Be Caused by Russia or by Pro-Peace or by Anti-Corruption European Activists
UK Fintechs Explore Buying US Banks
Greece Suspends 5% of Schools as Birth Rate Drops
Apollo to Launch $5 Billion Sports Investment Vehicle
Bolsonaro Trial Nears Close Amid US-Brazil Tension
European Banks Push for Lower Cross-Border Barriers
Poland's Offshore Wind Sector Attracts Investors
Nvidia Reveals: Two Mystery Customers Account for About 40% of Revenue
Woody Allen: "I Would Be Happy to Direct Trump Again in a Film"
Pickles are the latest craze among Generation Z in the United States.
Deadline Day Delivers Record £125m Isak Move and Donnarumma to City
Nestlé Removes CEO Laurent Freixe Following Undisclosed Relationship with Subordinate
Giuliani Seriously Injured in Accident – Trump to Award Him the Presidential Medal of Freedom
EU is getting aggressive: Four AfD Candidates Die Unexpectedly Ahead of North Rhine-Westphalia Local Elections
Lula and Putin Hold Strategic BRICS Discussions Ahead of Trump–Putin Summit
WhatsApp is rolling out a feature that looks a lot like Telegram.
Investigations Reveal Rise in ‘Sex-for-Rent’ Listings Across Canada Exploiting Vulnerable Tenants
Chinese and Indian Leaders Pursue Amity Amid Global Shifts
European Union Plans for Ukraine Deployment
ECB Warns Against Inflation Complacency
Concerns Over North Cyprus Casino Development
Shipping Companies Look Beyond Chinese Finance
Rural Exodus Fueling European Wildfires
China Hosts Major Security Meeting
Chinese Police Successfully Recover Family's Savings from Livestream Purchases
Germany Marks a Decade Since Migrant Wave with Divisions, Success Stories, and Political Shifts
Liverpool Defeat Arsenal 1–0 with Szoboszlai Free-Kick to Stay Top of Premier League
Prince Harry and King Charles to Meet in First Reunion After 20 Months
Chinese Stock Market Rally Fueled by Domestic Investors
×