Crime

Tahira Charles Pleads Not Guilty To Murder Charges

ST. THOMAS -- Tahira Charles has pleaded not guilty to murder and related charges the V.I. Department of Justice announced today. The 32-year-old Bovoni man appeared before V.I. Superior Court Judge Michael Dunston on Thursday morning for his arraignment hearing to formally answer to the five charges he faces in connection with the June 25 killing of another young man, Caseam Daniel, who was fatally shot in the area of First Stop Gas station. Judge Dunston accepted the not-guilty plea and has set May 8 as the date for jury selection. V.I. Superior Court Judge Kathleen Mackay will be presiding over the trial. Mr. Charles is charged with one count each of first-degree murder, first-degree assault, third-degree assault, unauthorized possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime of violence and first-degree reckless endangerment. According to an affidavit prepared by Det. Nigel James, officers responded to reports of a shooting in the area of the gas station where they found Mr....