Judge calls gunman 'an evil soul'
A judge jailed a gunman for 25 years for attempted murder, telling him he has “an evil soul”.Quincy Brangman, 32, brazenly showed his face to victim Nathan Darrell before shooting him in the neck, chest and thigh at point-blank range . Doctors were amazed Mr Darrell, 24, survived the attack outside his Sandys home in the early hours of February 13 2010. He was flown overseas for his own protection after being released from hospital, but returned last month to testify during Brangman's Supreme Court trial.The jury eventually convicted Brangman of attempted murder and using a firearm to commit an indictable act. Jailing him yesterday, Puisne Judge Carlisle Greaves said: “I find the act of the defendant in this case to be spiteful, vengeful and determined in his mission to commit murder on that night, that cold, wet, windy night.”He added: “To set out in those conditions to carry out this mission demonstrates the soul, the evil soul, of a very, very dangerous man in my view, the kind of man that must be removed from society for a very, very, very long time.”The Firearms Act states that the ten-year sentence meted out to Brangman for using a firearm must run consecutively to the 15-year sentence imposed for attempted murder. The judge also ordered that he must not be considered for parole until he's served half his sentence.Brangman has previous convictions including two prison sentences for wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, plus violently resisting arrest, assaulting police, and possessing an offensive weapon. The jury heard from police gang expert Alexander Rollin, who named him as a member of west-end gang Money Over B**tches.Prosecutors believe Brangman targeted Mr Darrell for disrespecting his gang. Forensic evidence showed gunshot residue on a glove belonging to Brangman, which was seized during the investigation.Mr Darrell, a former Ireland Rangers football player, admitted carrying a gun himself around the time of the shooting.However, he denied being armed when Brangman approached his car and opened fire on Kitchener Close.Mr Darrell also told jurors he's a person who defends what's right and admitted taunting gang members from Pembroke-based Parkside and Somerset-based MOB in the past.He acknowledged there was a rumour he shot at Brangman's family home in Cook's Hill Road, Sandys, on New Year's Day 2010, but denied any involvement.Yesterday, Mr Darrell told Mr Justice Greaves in a letter how he's lived in fear since pressing charges against Brangman.He said his family has also suffered threats, and he flew back overseas straight after giving evidence. He fears he will never be able to return home [see separate story].“Every time my phone rings or I get an email from home, I honestly worry and wonder what bad news it may be or what has happened to a member of my family,” he told the judge.Echoing that, Mr Justice Greaves observed: “It is difficult to see how the victim in this case could ever be safe again as long as this defendant is alive and free, and by extension therefore the associates and relations of the victim perhaps innocents who may surround him at some time in the future. It's difficult to see how they may not be exposed to this continuing danger.”Brangman declined an invitation to address the judge, replying: “I ain't got nothing to say.” His reaction to the sentence could not be seen in court, as he did not stand while the sentence was passed, as per usual protocol.Heralding news of the sentence, Acting Assistant Commissioner of Police Antoine Daniels praised Mr Darrell for co-operating with the Police throughout.“This cooperation has led to the sentence handed down today,” he said. “Today's sentencing of Quincy Brangman to 25 years imprisonment, represents the conclusion of several months of dedicated work by members of the Bermuda Police Service and the prosecutors in the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions . Additionally, the successful prosecution of this case demonstrates the great advantages available through the use of witness testimony and community involvement.”He urged the public to continue assisting the Police in the pursuit of justice.
Gun victim Nathan Darrell, 24, was not in court to see his attacker, Quincy Brangman, jailed for 25 years.
And, as he told the court in a victim impact statement, he has also been sentenced to a life of fear since the night Brangman shot him.
He's moved overseas and started a new life away from his friends and family, but worries about them constantly.
Here is the heartfelt letter he wrote to the court, dated January 12, 2010:
“On February 13 2010, my life was changed forever. I arrived home and was planning for the end of what was [a] good day when without any provocation, everything changed with the sound of a gunshot and breaking glass.
“I felt a burning sensation in my neck, followed by another gunshot [to] my right rib area, I scrambled to get out of the passenger side of the car and was shot a third time in my rear end. [I thought] 'no way, this is not really happening' but at the same time knowing it was in fact real. Being shot was still a huge shock.
“I remember as I was being driven to the hospital, telling my friends who had shot me and to take care of my family. I was scared and could not breathe, thinking and feeling like I was going to die.
“A feeling I would not wish on my worst enemy as it was a surreal feeling of uncertainty as well as a moment of understanding as to how precious life is.
“During my time in the hospital I had time to think about my life. I have a three-year-old boy and had a baby on the way. I have my mother, girlfriend, children and aunt to support and assure a safe and comfortable future. I had plans of opening my own business, owning my own home, supporting my family, taking care of my mother. All of this has changed. What will I do now, will I retaliate, will I be able to work again, what will my life be like now? [These] were many of the thoughts I had in my mind haunting me.
“I remember wanting to just shoot him [Brangman] and let it be war. Kill whoever was a threat, or who I felt were a threat; but I thought about the innocent involved, the families and the young misguided souls.
“Every time my phone rings or I get an e-mail from home I honestly worry and wonder what bad news it may be or what has happened to a member of my family.
“I remember speaking to the police and they were telling me to press charges. I thought long and hard about it and about what people would think. I will be labelled a prick, a snitch, how will I deal with that, what protection will I be able to give to my family?
“As time went on there were threats made against me and my family. What was I to do? I was in no position to defend myself or help anyone else as I was very weak mentally and physically weak.
“There were several options available, including one to leave Bermuda, leave my country. On my release from the hospital, some ten days later, I boarded a plane and headed for another part of the world.
“I have remained there to date. I have a four-month-old baby that I have not seen. I have only spoken to my family via the internet or telephone.
“It is my son's birthday on Thursday, January 13 and mine is the following day. As much as I would like to enjoy mine and have fun, I would rather my son enjoy his as a child.
“You only get one chance to be a child. I would like for him to enjoy his as much as possible, have as much fun as he can, but it will all be without me. I am missing so much of their lives.
“All my dreams of a good life in my home, Bermuda, have now changed. I am awakened from my sleep with visions of your face [Brangman] and sounds of gunshots. I have scars to remind me of the pain I suffered and the future that awaits me due to the decisions I have now made in regard to this matter.
“I have to start anew. This has come with its challenges. I am in a new country without family or friends, no real employment skills, in a country that is having problems employing its own.
“I am dependent on others to support me, I am unable to support my children, assist or see my mother, my friends or my country. All this because I was shot three times at point blank range and I survived.
“I returned home in December to give evidence in this case and was not able to see any of my family other than in the courtroom from the witness stand where they sat as spectators in the courtroom.
“I was informed of the threats against me and my family if I continued to give evidence and was unable or not willing to do anything but the right thing.
“On completion of me giving evidence I was taken back to the airport, put on a plane and again [taken] away from my home country.
“No contact with my family, away from my children. I believe that I am alive today because God has a plan for me, as it was only God who could have saved me.
“I wish that Jim [Brangman's nickname] can find peace in his own mind and realise now that there is a better way to resolve our issues,”
“Whatever sentence the court places on him he will never be able to change the situation I now find myself in. Five, ten, 15 years from now, if I return home there will be someone who will look at me and say 'that's the guy that got my boy locked up, he is a snitch'.
“There will be a young gang member trying to gain some respect; he will challenge me or take me on.
“I will forever have to look over my shoulder and worry that anyone who is near me may be harmed because of any attempt that may be made to 'get' me, which leaves one to make some very important and careful choices moving forward.
“All of this because I was shot, survived, and decided to do the right thing in life; which is caring for others more than yourself.”
