Police were on the hunt last night for a convicted murderer who escaped from a police bus in the area of York Street and East Bay Street.

The Nassau Guardian understands that Ormand Leon, 26, was handcuffed and shackled before he was placed on the bus for transport to the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services yesterday, but he reportedly left his restraints behind when he jumped off the bus. Before the escape, Leon appeared before Justice Bernard Turner for the penalty phase of his trial. Turner adjourned the sentencing to February 16 at 9:30 a.m.

Leon was convicted of the July 10, 2011 shooting death of Francisco Hanna at Wilson Track. He has a dark brown complexion, is of slim build, stands about 5' 9" to 5' 11" tall and was known to frequent the Moore Avenue, Homestead Street and Miami Street area, police said. He was last seen wearing a white T-shirt and blue jeans. Police consider Leon armed and dangerous.

Last night, Assistant Commissioner of Police Leon Bethell stressed that police were extremely concerned over the matter.

"This is a convicted criminal who should be in prison and that is why we are using all of the resources that we have to try to get him back there right now," Bethell said. "We are not going to ease up; we are not going to let up; we will continue to pursue him."

He said police were getting leads from the public and urged anyone with additional information on Leon's whereabouts to come forward immediately.

Commanding officer of the Central Police Station, Chief Superintendent Leamond Deleveaux, dismissed as untrue claims that there are not enough handcuffs and shackles at the station.

In 2012, two officers from the station who were accused of criminal liability in the escape of two suspects, were acquitted.
Constable Harrold Sands and Corporal Jay Sargent were implicated in the escape of Renardo Bastian and Ricardo Knowles from the Central Police Station on May 4, 2010.

Sands was accused of permitting a prisoner to escape and Sargent was accused of negligently permitting a prisoner to escape. Bastian and Knowles walked out of the station the day before a jury was to return a verdict in their armed robbery, kidnapping and rape trial. The trial judge at the time had ordered police to let the men overnight at the station, so there would be no delays in beginning the trial.

Police shot and killed Knowles on May 5 during an attempt to recapture him. Bastian was caught the same day without incident. A jury later acquitted him of the charges stemming from the incident.

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