A high-ranking Bahamian police official whoshot and killed aFlorida man in what he claimed was self defense has been charged with murder.
Berneil Pinder, 51, appeared in court on March 25 on a charge of murder in the death of Cody Castillo, aCrawfordville linemanwho was an employee of Pike Electric, which is working on a major infrastructure project for Bahamas Power and Light.
Pinder, who serves as superintendent for the Royal Bahamas Police Force, appeared before Acting Chief Magistrate Ancella Evans. The RBPF confirmed his arraignment on the murder charge in a news release.
Media outlets in the Bahamas reported that Pinder was denied bail and ordered to return to court on July 23 for the presentation of a voluntary bill of indictment.
His arrest and court appearance came only four days after Castillo was gunned down outside Da Plantation Bar and Grill, a popular beach spot in Nassau.
The RBPF said in a news release at the time that an altercation started inside the bar and grill before spilling outside. The Police Force said Castillo drove his truck toward Pinder "in a threatening manner" and that Pinder, "fearing for his life," fired a single shot that killed him.
However, government officials later confirmed that officials obtained video footage of the incident that media outlets and loved ones of the victim say contradicts Pinder and the RBPF's account.
Before Pinder's arrest, the U.S. Embassy in the Bahamas issued a sternly worded statement expressing the "deepest concern" about media reports of Pinder following an unarmed Castillo to his vehicle before fatally shooting him.
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"We urge the Government of The Bahamas to ensure the victim receives justice in this case without delay," an embassy spokesperson said.
Castillo and his wife Makayla, who reside in Crawfordville, were expecting their first child in August, according toa GoFundMecreated to help the family with expenses as they grieve.
On March 24, Bahamas Prime Minister Philip "Brave" Davis called for a "full and transparent" investigation of Castillo's death, which he called "tragic," and an unrelated fatal RBPF officer-involved shooting that occurred less than two days later.
"I have asked for a full and transparent investigation, and where the evidence supports criminal charges, the law must move swiftly," Davis said. "The badge can never place anyone above the law."
He added that "this moment" requires action beyond the two shootings, both of which involved off-duty officers.
"We must review the rules governing off-duty carriage of firearms, strengthen de-escalation standards and examine less-lethal options for our law enforcement agencies so officers have stronger tools to protect life wherever possible," the prime minister said.
Contact Jeff Burlew at jburlew@tallahassee.com.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat:Bahamian official faces murder charge in shooting of Berneil Pinder