Exclusive: Jack & Erickson allege evidence of corruption in drug trial
In an exclusive interview from Her Majesty's Prison (HMP) at Balsam Ghut, the two men, Vincentian Jomo Jack and VIslander Hugh ‘Chris’ Erickson, said the evidence in support of their claims, which were initially made at the Magistrate’s court on November 8, 2013 is clearly seen from the photos presented as evidence in their trial which has since been quashed.
The two men are currently unrepresented and their trial is scheduled to be restarted early next year.
The accused in the alleged conspiracy include James Telesforde John, a 62-year-old captain from Tortola, who is facing charges of unlawful importation of cocaine 114 kg; possession of the proceeds of criminal conduct ($391,780); possession of the proceeds of criminal conduct ($178,060); possession of proceeds of criminal conduct ($81,585); and unlawful possession of cocaine with intent to supply.
Jomo Jack and Leon King, were jointly charged with possession of the proceeds of criminal conduct ($178,060), with Hugh Erickson and Gerry Freeman also facing a joint charge of possession of proceeds of criminal conduct ($37,040.25).
It is alleged that on August 10, 2012, in Road Town, in the vicinity of the Government Complex, officers of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force observed and arrested the five men who were suspected to have drugs in their possession.
Upon their arrest, the court was informed that officers recovered over $688,000 in cash and around 114 kilos of cocaine, with the street value estimated to be $11.4 million.
Erickson and Jack have alleged that there are several missing blocks of cocaine based on the photographs when compared with a schedule attached to their documentation.
They alleged that several blocks of cocaine have been duplicated in the photographs and this clearly shows that there is corruption involved. The duo further alleges that there has been a misrepresentation in the total quantity of cocaine.
Jack had requested a dismissal of their case on November 8, 2013 but was told by Senior Magistrate Tamia Richards that this could not be done and an application would need to be made for bail or dismissal before another magistrate when the matter comes up again for report. Both men have also stated they do not wish to have their trial restarted as it allegedly gives the prosecution time to correct errors made in the case.
When contacted about the allegations of corruption, Acting Police Information Officer, Sergeant Carl Mason said the Police would not normally respond to allegations made by a defendant and have no comments to make in this instance. Efforts to contact Director of Public Prosecutions, Mr Wayne Rajbansie, proved unsuccessful up to post time.
The men are due to return to court on January 17, 2014.
55 Responses to “Exclusive: Jack & Erickson allege evidence of corruption in drug trial”
Let them to sit down on their backsides.
ridiculous this the same thing that happen with a white man couple years back and they had to throw out the case because he was going raise hell for all his illegal possessions not being accounted for in the trial
I see no evidence of corruption there!
This is the problem with trying to represent oneself with no head for maths or common sense.
Thank you for telling those clowns, i cant see how they didnt realise that, they just running their mouth as usual, look at the markings people, thats the most important thing, thats how the evidence has to be identified, all you want case dismissed, in all you dreams.
But the Topic is rather interesting,but because I do not have the full facts,I will reserve my comments:
But from a Humanitarian perspective,let me take a read of the Virgin Islands Constitution.
let me see and read what Her Majesty-The Queen bestowed upon Her Citizens and residents,under the JUSTICE SYSTEM:
I believe in the proverb, ""if you do the crime you must do the time"".
And I also believe in the proverb ""justice delayed is justice denied"".
The V.I Constitution makes provisions in section 16,to ensure that Justice is not delayed!
Section 16 of V.I Constitution-[Provisions to secure protection of law:-]
Section 16 (1) of the V.I CONSTITUTION ORDER, of 2007, States:-
""If any person is charged with a criminal offence,then unless the charge is withdrawn,the case SHALL be afforded a FAIR hearing within a REASONABLE TIME by an independent and impartial court established by LAW-
(2) Every person who is charged with acriminal offence SHALL-
(a) BE PRESUMED TO BE INNOCENT, until he or she is PROVED GUILTY according to law"".
So; Her Majesty's Supreme Law-The V.I Constitution, advises me above,that ""a person is innocent until proved guilty in a court of law"".
Because I have so much respect for Her Majesty's Constitution,I will not comment on the status of these men,because they were not found guilty in a court of law,as declared by the V.I Constitution.
Hope you all get a FAIR trial,according to BVI LAW.
There was always suspicion around this case , why this case could not finish when the magistrate have a lot of time remaining and only 2days left for trial , so tax payers money going down the drain just to correct prosecution errors , this case was plan from others to try secure conviction , guess all that through the door now , them policemen want big houses on the hill , maybe we can increase there salary.
Vino,I am pleased to see that another blogger on your free and democratic news site,is also using the blogg-name ""Legal Team"" to make his/her point. But I am the Confessed Legal Team,and I use that bloggname, along with my known name sometimes,because I have told my family,relatives and friends in the BVI,that I grew up in law,I believe in Justice for all,and The V.I Constitution declared in section 23,that persons have a right to free speech and expression.
The [real Legal Team] ,is a freelance reporter,who studied Litigation and evidence,at the University of the West Indies-School of Continuing Studies: I blogg on law: I don't about individual person.
But as you know,the [real Legal Team] ,always blogg on the law and on facts the the team witnessed personally.I want to see the Evidence right before me,but an allegation,MUST be investiagted....
To The person who continue to blogg as ""Legal Team""I commend you for your comments,but when the readers will have read this blogg from the [real Legal Team] ,they will realise who is the "[Real Legal Team]
Let us now look at a Topic in [Laws of Evidence] which is called the [Burden and Standard of Proof] in Criminal Proceedings.They are as follow-
1.The Burden of proof
2.The legal Burden
3.The evidential Burden
An important note to the Director of Public Prosecutions:
Legal Lectures on Criminal Procedure and Laws of Evidence,taught us law students-
The teaching declares:-
The general rule in Criminal cases is that the Legal Burden of proving every element of the Crime charged is on the PROSECUTION and remains there through out the trial.
Because,according to the proverb on burden and standard of proof- ""he who asserts,must prove"".you charge the men,you must prove them guilty,with high quality evidence.
Now,having discussed this matter with a senior Queen's Counsel in the UK,we came to the conclusion,that these are very serious allegations levelled against Her Majesty's Police Officers,and although the men may not have made an official report to a person in authority with responsibility for the police,it must be noted,that the allegations,are published on this free and democratic news site,in Her Majesty's Free and Democratic BVI.
The News
I saw it, I read it,I saw the bloggs of freedom and I read the bloggs of freedom
I am certain that the senior officials with leadership responsibilty for the police also read the news and saw the bloggs,because every body reads VINO's breakings news,including the High Ranked officers of the Police Force.
A trial of such magnitude,will be one of Public Interest; therefore,it is very important for the Public to know the truth behind these allegations.
If the PHYSICAL evidence is Corrupt-There will be ""Reasonable doubt""and the burden and standard of proof ""falls"". Enquiry? yes:
So, If the Governor agrees,he can hire the ""real legal team"" to head the investigation.We want the truth! You can't go to trial without knowing the truth:
The prison has complained about it being over crowded and can hard feed prisoners. People have been denied bail according to their rights..This correctional facility (HMS)has no law libary, the one their is just fairy tales books and sciance fiction books they say and that makes it very difficult for a remanded prisoner or even inmates with pending charges to reseach their cases if they don't have a lawyer " ...... Nice it up in the men them favour....(Us).
can u pls let us know who is bhind all these missing things , its ashame
Why are these policemen allegedly keep taking the evidence from the evidence room, is it that they not being paid enough , well complain to the government , this case need an enquiry , one has to be done , there is no way a fair trial can go on with this