Police hold Mark Vernon for shooting death of David Burgess

In an update to the fatal shooting of David Burgess that occurred over the weekend, Mark Vernon appeared in court this morning and was charged with manslaughter by negligence. However, the prosecution objected to bail on grounds that the investigation into the case is still ongoing and that the charge could be upgraded to murder. Magistrate Albert Hoare upheld the objection and remanded Vernon into custody until August twenty-second. The incident occurred around nine-thirty on Saturday in front of the police sub-station on Caesar Ridge Road. Reports are that Burgess, a resident of T Street, was driving a car on Caesar Ridge with Vernon and Alexander Underwood sitting in the back seat. Vernon had a pistol in the hand which discharged the fatal shot when the car crossed over the rope that police have placed across the street to act as a speed bump. Burgess was shot in the back of the head and the bullet exited through his forehead. He was taken to the K.H.M.H. where he died on Monday. Burgess was released from the Hattieville Prison last Thursday, the day before his shooting, after two counts of Aggravated Assault were dismissed against him. Vernon had various run-ins with the law and was one of two prisoners charged with the murder of Curlin “Cluck Cluck” Felix, but the charge was also dismissed.