Bahamas man accused of killing key witness in armed robbery trial
Key Points(5)
- A 39-year-old Bahamian man has been charged with the murder of a key witness in his upcoming armed robbery trial, with prosecutors also alleging that he repeatedly breached his bail conditions before the killing.
- Adnan Oliver is accused of murdering 59-year-old James McPhee on July 12, weeks before McPhee was scheduled to testify against him in a trial set to begin on Aug.
- Prosecutors allege that Oliver failed to report to a police station 81 times between Jan.
- 3 and July 8, 2026, in violation of his bail conditions.
- Despite McPhee’s death, the armed robbery trial is expected to proceed, with prosecutors seeking to admit his witness statement into evidence.
A 39-year-old Bahamian man has been charged with the murder of a key witness in his upcoming armed robbery trial, with prosecutors also alleging that he repeatedly breached his bail conditions before the killing.
Adnan Oliver is accused of murdering 59-year-old James McPhee on July 12, weeks before McPhee was scheduled to testify against him in a trial set to begin on Aug. 10.
Prosecutors allege that Oliver failed to report to a police station 81 times between Jan. 3 and July 8, 2026, in violation of his bail conditions.
Despite McPhee’s death, the armed robbery trial is expected to proceed, with prosecutors seeking to admit his witness statement into evidence.
Oliver had previously been charged with robbing McPhee at gunpoint of his Rolex watch in 2019.
He is also facing separate charges stemming from an alleged shootout with police, including attempted murder, possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life, possession of an unlicensed firearm and possession of ammunition.
Authorities allege that two off-duty police officers, Chief Superintendent Harris Cash and Superintendent Elvis Miller, exchanged gunfire with Oliver while pursuing him after they allegedly saw him run over McPhee with his vehicle.
Oliver was shot and arrested following the incident. Police allegedly recovered a 9mm pistol and five rounds of ammunition.
He was not required to enter pleas to those charges and was denied bail.
Although Oliver has been accused of killing a witness, prosecutors did not charge him under the section of law that would make him eligible for the death penalty.
The murder matter was adjourned until Oct. 30 for the presentation of a voluntary bill of indictment, which would move the case to the Supreme Court.
Oliver also appeared before Magistrate Abigail Farrington on the alleged bail violations. He pleaded guilty, but the magistrate rejected the plea after his explanation was deemed to amount to a defence.
He will face trial on the bail violation charge on Aug. 11.
