CHARLOTTE AMALIE — An argument over a crack pipe ended in a Back Street murder in St. Thomas today, authorities said.
Renique Francis, 22, of Savan was arrested and charged with first-degree murder, the Virgin Islands Police Department said.
Francis is being held on $150,000 cash or property bail following an advice-of-rights hearing in Superior Court.
Her male victim was estimated to be in his 30’s, but is not being named by the VIPD until his next of kin can be notified.
V.I. Superior Court Magistrate Henry Carr III found probable cause to hold Francis in jail on charges of second-degree murder, third-degree assault and carrying or using dangerous weapons.
When police arrived on the scene in St. Thomas several units found “an unresponsive black male lying on the ground with what appeared to be blood on his abdomen,” according to the VIPD.
“Emergency Medical Technicians were on the scene and determined that the male did not have any vital signs,” VIPD spokesman Glen Dratte said. “The male appeared to have sustained stab wounds to his abdomen. The deceased, an adult black male identification is being withheld pending next of kin notification.”
No bail was set for Francis. She was remanded to the Bureau of Corrections Detention Center pending an advice-of-rights hearing.
