NASSAU, Bahamas (CMC) – A Bahamian court has denied bail to the man accused of slaying former Opposition legislator Donald Saunders.

The court’s president Justice of Appeal, Jon Issacs, told the accused, Jaico Choute, that he will remain in custody as his appeal was denied, even as he said that did not preclude Choute from seeking bail again. The court said it will give the reason for its decision at a later date.

This is the second time that the courts have denied bail to Choute, one of two men charged with the murder of the former Free National Movement (FNM) legislator.

In August, Justice Neil Brathwaite, denied him bail and demanded him into custody for his safety.

Prosecutors allege that Choute and Nicarson Nixon killed Saunders while they attempted to rob him on March 27, while he was at a bar that was also being robbed by the two men.

Choute’s lawyer, Miranda Adderley, argued that there was no evidence that her client’s life was in danger, adding that it would be unfair to keep Choute in custody as his trial date is set for June 21, 2027.

She said that this would mean he would be awaiting trial for more than three years and that based on her experience it’s unlikely that a backup trial date set for 2026 would proceed.

However, the prosecutor, Darnell Dorsette, defended the judge’s decision to refuse bail.