Crime

Trial For Man Who Allegedly Burned Client's Vehicle Gets Underway In St. Thomas

ST. THOMAS -- The trial of James Nibbs, Jr. got underway Wednesday morning before V.I. Superior Court Judge Denise Francois, the Superior Court announced on Thursday. Mr. Nibbs, 40, is facing one count of second-degree arson, stemming from a Dec. 28, 2015 incident. Several witnesses, including the victim, Erline Roach, took the stand to testify on the prosecution’s behalf. Ms. Roach told jurors that she took her car to Cliff Tonge to be repaired. Mr. Nibbs was also working at the same mechanic shop at the time. Ms. Roach said she paid Tonge $700 before he did the work, but after she retrieved her vehicle, she noticed that the work on her car was not completed. She called Mr. Tonge, the owner of the repair shop, to tell him that she was still experiencing problems with the car. “Two days later, Mr. Tonge and Mr. Nibbs called me. I went to the police station to make a report. While at the police station, Mr. Nibbs left a voice message on my handset,” Ms. Roach testified. Prosecutors are...