Man will serve no jail time for shooting two cops

NASSAU- A man who shot two police officers investigating a disturbance at his home will not serve any prison time as part of a plea deal.

Marty Sawyer, 54, who is white, was initially charged with the attempted murder of the Black officers. However, he pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of use of deadly means of harm when he appeared before Senior Justice Bernard Turner.

Sawyer shot Chief Superintendent Wendell Smith and Corporal 3688 Andre Linden with a 12-gauge shotgun on November 24, 2020 when they arrived at his home in Marsh Harbour, Abaco to investigate a domestic disturbance. Sawyer also shot himself in the neck.

The officers and the suspect were airlifted to New Providence, and they received treatment at Doctors’ Hospital.

Following his release from hospital, Sawyer was charged with the shooting.

However, he never spent a day in prison because he was granted emergency bail soon after his initial court appearance.

Sawyer could never step foot in the Bahamas Department of Corrections in relation to this case, provided he stays out of trouble for two years.

He paid a $10,000 fine, and he has 60 days to pay compensation to the officer.

Smith will receive $35,000 and Linden will get $25,000.

However, if Sawyer commits any of crime before October 6, 2023, he will be sentenced to five years’ imprisonment.

Failure to make the compensation payment will result in a concurrent sentence of two years in prison.

Additionally, Sawyer is banned for life from owning a firearm.

Alex Maillis represents Sawyer. The Director of Public Prosecutions approved the terms of the plea agreement.