A teenager charged with murdering homeless St. David's residents Maxwell 'Buckshot' Brangman and Frederick 'Freddie' Gilbert pleaded not guilty when he appeared at Supreme Court for the first time yesterday.

Darronte Lavar Dill turned 18 years old three days after the alleged double slaying on September 21 last year.

The body of 57-year-old Mr. Brangman was found near the Black Horse Tavern in St. David's on that date. Police said he died from a number of wounds to his head and body, before he was set alight.

Mr. Gilbert's body was found the next day in the waters of Great Bay. An autopsy revealed that the 53-year-old died from multiple wounds before his body was immersed in water.

Chief Justice Richard Ground remanded Dill, of Fenton's Drive, Pembroke, into custody until he goes on trial on October 5.

Also appearing at the monthly arraignments session to enter not guilty pleas was Ricardo Alphonso Tucker. The 30-year-old Jamaican national was allegedly found in possession of a loaded gun when he was pulled over for a traffic violation on March 3.

Tucker, of Orchard Lane, Pembroke, is accused of possessing an Intratec Tec-9 semi-automatic pistol in a public place, namely Parsons Road, Pembroke, and possessing the same firearm without a licence plus nine 9 mm rounds of ammunition.

The Chief Justice remanded him into custody pending a further administrative hearing on June 1, when a trial date is likely to be set.

The third new matter before the court was that of Paul Lemar Smith. The 39-year-old is alleged to have burgled a home in Cherry Hill Park, Paget, on October 3, 2008 and attacked and wounded householder Andrew Warren Sr.

Smith pleaded not guilty and a trial date was set for June 15. The Chief Justice offered bail, although defence lawyer Craig Attridge said he has been unable to meet it so far. Smith was taken back into custody.