Former St James most wanted man ‘Nico’ yet to secure lawyer
Published:Monday | February 17, 2025 | 9:27 AMChristopher Thomas/Gleaner Writer
WESTERN BUREAU:
Lico ‘Nico’ Maxwell, who was St James’ most wanted man when he arrested for several offences in October 2024, was remanded in custody when he appeared in the St James Parish Court on Wednesday.
Maxwell, a farmer from Flamstead Garden in St James, faces charges of murder, illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition, and wounding with intent. When his case was called, the court was informed that he did not have an attorney and needed additional time to sort out his legal representation. It was also noted that a determination would be made regarding whether his current charges would be combined with others pending before the higher court.
“Mr Maxwell, I did not have an attorney here to make a direct legal aid assignment for you this morning, ... so you will return to court on February 14,” said presiding parish judge Kaysha Grant-Pryce told Maxwell. “If you do not have a lawyer by then, and a lawyer is here, the an assignment can be done on that date.”
She said Maxwell would remain in custody before the matter is committed to the Circuit Court.
“ ... We will have to read the file and make a determination as to whether or not this matter will join the other matters in the Supreme Court,” the judge added.
Maxwell is accused of involvement in the murder of Gareth Leslie on October 9, 2022, in the Back Wood community of German Town, St James. Reports indicate that Leslie was among a group of men at a shop when a car with armed men pulled up. The gunmen exited the vehicle and opened fire on the group, killing Leslie and wounding several others before fleeing the scene.
Prior to this, Maxwell was reportedly involved in a shooting incident on September 4, 2022, in which he and another man allegedly opened fire on a farmer in the German Town community. Maxwell, along with Thorn Morgan from Barrett Town, St James, was charged in connection to that incident.
Maxwell, who had been listed among St James’ most wanted men in 2023, was arrested on October 25, 2024, during a pre-dawn police operation in the Flamstead area.
A Girsan Regard MC pistol and a magazine containing 17 9mm rounds were reportedly found at the premises Maxwell was occupying at the time of his arrest.