On Thursday night August 9, Major Crimes Unit detectives of the V.I. Police Department executed an arrest warrant against Anselmo Boston, 31, a resident of Estate Enighed, St. John.
Prior to tonight’s arrest, Boston, a native of St. Croix, had been categorized by police as a “person of interest” in the June 19 stabbing death of James Cockayne. Boston was arrested and charged with first-degree murder, first-degree assault and using a dangerous weapon during the commission of a violent crime. He is being held without bail and appeared before a Superior Court judge on Friday morning, August 10, for an advice-of-rights hearing.
Police Commissioner James McCall said Boston had been wanted for questioning in the case and a Superior Court Judge signed a sealed warrant for his arrest on August 1.
“We have indicated time and again that our focus in this homicide investigation was to secure justice for Jamie Cockayne,” said McCall. “That remains our focus as this case is now in the first stages of the prosecution.
Customs and Immigration authorities in the British Virgin Islands as well as U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents played pivotal roles in monitoring Boston’s movement as he left the U.S. Virgin Islands destined for Antigua, McCall added.
The Police Commissioner also praised the work of the V.I. Justice Department’s Criminal Division and the detectives of the Major Crimes Unit who “worked tirelessly to advance this ongoing investigation,” he said.
“From the night of the brutal stabbing death of James Cockayne, the combined efforts of the Major Crimes Unit and the V.I. Justice Department have been at work in a diligent effort to bring closure to this case,” McCall said.
