Police have arrested and charged two men with the murder of 28-year-old James Caines.

Tico Furbert, 25, and Sheldon Franks, 31, yesterday appeared before Acting Senior Magistrate Cheryl Ann Mapp to be charged with murder and possession of a firearm with intent. Furbert faces an additional charge of possession of a firearm.

The pair -- wearing baggy t-shirts and jean shorts -- appeared briefly in a packed courtroom before being remanded in custody for an August 23 mention.

There was a strong police presence for the early afternoon arraignment, which was already underway before the Magistrates' Court doors were opened to the public at 2.15 p.m.

Police were remaining tight-lipped about the sudden break in the month-old case. Police spokesman Sgt. Chris Wilcox could not comment on how the arrests came about and said he had no information or addresses for Furbert or Franks.

Caines, a father of two, was shot three times in the head at point-blank range through the glass door of a house on Curving Avenue, Pembroke, on the night of July 6.

Mortally wounded and soaked in blood, Caines managed to stagger a quarter mile to his mother's home on Union Street, where he collapsed in her arms.

He was pronounced dead on arrival at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital.

Three men were questioned by Police in connection with the murder but were later released. A $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the killer or killers was subsequently offered.

Franks, who was represented by Mark Pettingill, is a well-known First Division midfielder for the North Village Red Devils football club.

Tico Furbert, represented by Marc Telemaque, owns Baby$ham Productions which promoted a May 25 reggae dance hall extravaganza at North Village field.

Photos by David Skinner CHARGED WITH MURDER -- Tico Furbert (left) and Sheldon Franks are shown arriving at Magistrates' Court yesterday where they were charged with the murder of James Caines. Caines was shot in the head on July 6.