The four-day-trial against Sea Cows Bay residents Gregory Alleyne Jr, above, and Kervis Collis Rhymer, right, along with high court employee and girlfriend of Alleyne, Alisma Wheatley, left, has started at the Magistrate’s Court before Magistrate Christilyn Benjamin. Photo: Facebook/File

The trial for Gregory Alleyne Jr, Kervis Collis Rhymer and Alisma Wheatley continues at the Magistrate’s Court today, Tuesday, February 4, 2020. Photo: VINO

On Monday, February 3, 2020 the trial started with the case for the Crown, where members of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) involved in the search operation gave testimony before the court.

Testimonies

Among the ranks giving evidence to the court was Police Officer Duchane Gordon.

Gordon testified that he was the one who found the loaded firearm.

“I randomly ran my hand above the closet, and I felt it,” he said.

The officer said after shouting to the other officers that he found the gun, he questioned the occupants of the house about it; however, only Alleyne Jr replied and claimed the weapon as his.

Digital scales, empty dime bags, $2,800 cash, 543 grams of cannabis, and 25 grams of cocaine were also found in two separate bedrooms belonging to Alleyne Jr and Rhymer, the court was told.

The raid commenced at 6.10 am and concluded at 8.15 am, Officer Gordon said.

Conflicting reports

Meanwhile, the Head of the Armed Response Unit, Inspector Dean Robin, said he was not being dishonest to the court when he made somewhat conflicting reports during his testimony.

Attorney for Alleyne Jr, Ms Carmelita Jameison used court transcripts to point out that when Officer Robin gave evidence to the court before another magistrate, he reportedly said he was unaware that a quantity of cash was found during the raid.

When he gave evidence on Monday, he said he was made aware of the find sometime later.

“I have since recalled certain things,” Mr Robin told the magistrate.

Background

This was the second start of the criminal proceedings; the first attempt was before another magistrate.

The three defendants were charged with unlawful possession of explosives, keeping an unlicensed firearm, possession of proceeds of criminal conduct, and two counts of possession of a controlled drug after a police raid of a residential dwelling they were occupying.

At the time, Wheatley was visiting the residence.

Initially, a fourth person was implicated in the matter, Alleyne Jr’s mother Doris Mills; however, the court dropped the matters against her.

The trial continues today, Tuesday, February 4, 2020.

Attorneys Patrick D. Thompson and Reynela Rawlins are representing Rhymer and Wheatley, and Jameison is representing Alleyne Jr.

Rhymer and Wheatley were previously given $60,000 signed bail, while Alleyne Jr is on remand at Her Majesty’s Prison in Balsam Ghut.