June 10, 2004 – An advice-of-rights hearing has been held for Troy Moore, 23, the second person charged with first-degree murder in connection with the shooting of Police Officer Cuthbert Chapman, and a detention hearing is set for 9 a.m. Monday.
That information was provided by authorities at a press conference held at the District Court Building in Christiansted on Thursday morning.
Chapman was gunned down on April 17 in a foiled robbery attempt at Wendy's Restaurant in the Sunny Isle Shopping Center on St. Croix. He died nine days later in a Puerto Rico hospital.
Police Commissioner Elton Lewis said that Moore, an employee at Hovensa and a resident of the Candido Guadalupe housing community, was arrested at his home early Wednesday morning by members of the Street Enforcement Team and the Criminal Investigation Bureau.
The arrest came following Moore's indictment by a federal grand jury Tuesday on St. Croix on federal and territorial charges in connection with Chapman's shooting.
On May 10, police arrested the first person charged in the case, Reynaldo Berrios, 18, also known as "Rey" and "Little Rey," of the De Chabert housing community.
Both defendants have been charged with first-degree murder, unauthorized use of a firearm in the commission of a violent crime, first-degree robbery, grand larceny, carjacking, possession of a firearm and interference with commerce by threats of violence.
At least three individuals were involved in the attempted robbery of the fast-food restaurant, where Chapman was working off-duty as a security guard. According to a police spokesman, Chapman, who was treated at Juan F. Luis Hospital before being transferred to Puerto Rico, "provided an excellent description" of the assailants.
Thursday's press conference offered little additional information regarding the status of the case or any other suspects police may have. "There are multiple suspects," Lewis said. However, citing ongoing investigations, he declined to say whether other arrests may be pending or whether any weapons were seized in connection with Moore's arrest.
Lewis did say that he expects the investigation to be completed "soon." And he confirmed that the $31,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for Chapman's shooting is still available. "Information has been coming from the public," he said, adding that anyone with information about the crime is urged to contact the police.
Back Talk
Share your reaction to this news with other Source readers. Please include headline, your name, and the city and state/country or island where you reside.
Publisher's note : Like the St. Croix Source now? Find out how you can love us twice as much — and show your support for the islands' free and independent news voice … click here.
