Jimmy in the Clink Again

Photo: Peter Parsons, Herald

By STEVE BRUCE Court Reporter
Thu. Feb 18 - 4:54 AM

Jimmy Melvin Jr. will remain in custody on kidnapping and other charges stemming from a series of incidents last week, but his younger brother and another man were released on bail Wednesday.

All three men made brief appearances before Associate Chief Judge Brian Gibson in Dartmouth provincial court.

Melvin, 27, was arrested Feb. 10 after Halifax Regional Police responded to a call about a man being assaulted by three men in the Highfield Park neighbourhood of Dartmouth.

The well-known crime figure, who got out of jail Jan. 15 after serving his last sentence, is charged with kidnapping, extortion, assault with a weapon, other weapons-related offences, uttering threats and breaching previous release conditions.

The Fall River resident also faces five charges from an altercation he apparently had with police Feb. 11 while in custody — three counts of assaulting a police officer, uttering threats and breaching a recognizance.

Defence lawyer Warren Zimmer asked that all the charges against Melvin be adjourned to March 8.

Melvin consented to remain in custody at the Central Nova Scotia Correctional Facility in Dartmouth.

Cory Melvin, 24, of East Lawrencetown and Robert Cox, 26, of Halifax are both charged with kidnapping, uttering threats and assault with a weapon. The younger Melvin also faces two charges of breaching court orders.

With the agreement of the Crown, both men were released Wednesday. Cory Melvin’s mother pledged $10,000 in property to secure his release.

The two were ordered not to communicate with each other, except in the presence of legal counsel, and not to have any weapons. They’ll also return to court March 8, along with Natalie Digioacchino, 28, of Harrietsfield, who was released last week on charges of kidnapping and extortion.

Police were called to a reported assault in Highfield Park at about 8:20 p.m. on Feb. 10 and arrived to see three male suspects, one of whom fled across Highway 111 into Burnside Park. Officers chased and caught Jimmy Melvin there, but Cory Melvin and Cox remained on the loose until they turned themselves in late the next day.

The alleged victim of the assault was taken to hospital with injuries that were not life-threatening. Court documents indicate his name is Richard Michael McInnis.

Police believe McInnis had been picked up earlier in the day and driven to the Spryfield area of Halifax.

Police allege Jimmy Melvin got a gun there and picked up Digioacchino, who handled the driving. The victim was allegedly held at gunpoint while Melvin tried to get information from him.

At about 3:45 p.m., the car was involved in a minor collision on Highfield Park Drive in Dartmouth and the alleged victim ran off. Several hours later, McInnis went to a Highfield Park apartment where three men assaulted him, then took him outside and threatened to kill him, police allege.

McInnis again escaped, but the men caught up to him and allegedly assaulted him again, which is when someone called police.