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“I ain’t selling no more land to pay lawyers’- Father of 9 facing drug charges

- David Straker said he has already paid more than $108,000 in legal fees
David Straker has told Senior Magistrate Tamia N. Richards he is not willing to sell any more of his real estate to pay lawyers to defend him. Photo: VINO
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Father of nine, David Straker has told Senior Magistrate Tamia N. Richards he is not willing to sell any more of his real estate to pay lawyers to defend him.

Straker, Donald George, Lindon Chiverton and Anderson Flax are jointly charged since 2015 with drug charges after 80 kilograms of cocaine was allegedly found among their possessions on a boat on their return from the United States Virgin Islands (USVI).

The accused drug dealer said he has had to sell some of his lands to pay more than three lawyers who have represented him since the inception of this matter.

“Your honour I have nine children and a father, a parent supposed to give their children something. What I got is for them,” adding that he has sold enough land during an emotional plea to the court to grant them additional time to seek legal representation in the matter on Wednesday, December 4, 2019.

Straker further said he has had to pay more than $108,000 in legal fees already.

'I had to borrow $$ from friends'

When the court asked his co-accused, George, how much he has spent in this matter, Mr George said “too much your honour. I had to borrow some money from friends,” because he did not have any real estate to sell.

The men opined that one of the reasons persons are still at Her Majesty’s Prison is because of the high rates being charged by criminal lawyers in the Virgin Islands.

Jamaican attorney-at-law Marlon Gordon, who was absent during the trial continuation due to ill-health, is the legal representative for Straker, Chiverton and George.

Attorneys Patrick D. Thompson and Reynela Rawlins, who represent Mr Flax, are hoping the court rules in their favour today, Friday, December, 6 2019, to allow Flax to be tried separately from the others who are causing delays in the conclusion of the matter.

19 Responses to ““I ain’t selling no more land to pay lawyers’- Father of 9 facing drug charges”

  • Jaigon (06/12/2019, 08:04) Like (21) Dislike (7) Reply

    Ppl came here to this country and have been doing nonsense for years. It’s high time their deeds catch up with them. It’s people like them who came to this country giving other expatriates a bad name. The authorities should revoke what ever rights they have given them and send them packing. Justice is long, but it’s sure.

  • FAST LANE (06/12/2019, 08:38) Like (47) Dislike (4) Reply
    While I agree that representation should not be so costly that an accused person cannot afford it. This is one of the cons of that profession. if you were not caught that drug would have ended up in the hands of some teen. Or someone who might overdose. Worst yet, someone may be murdered for handling it in a drug war. So, what is the price of a life in relation to your high legal fees? This is a deterrant. If you cannot afford trouble. Stay out.
    • WO (06/12/2019, 10:34) Like (1) Dislike (27) Reply
      Last I checked, they were innocent until proven guilty. You have evidence of them being "of that profession"?
      • True (06/12/2019, 13:23) Like (14) Dislike (0) Reply

        the 40kg of cocaine allegedly in their boat is evidence just his high priced lawyer keeping Him out of jail, he needs to keep selling land or tend it at Balsams.......

  • My girl (06/12/2019, 09:09) Like (11) Dislike (2) Reply
    BOOO - HOO !!
  • musa (06/12/2019, 09:12) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply

    Big joke useless news the only thing need is time in jail .

  • Coulda Shoulda (06/12/2019, 09:33) Like (39) Dislike (0) Reply
    This another version of "if you can't do the time, don't do the crime". Ironically, perhaps one of the few BVI situations where there are inescapable consequences to his choices. Shut up (no reason to be vexing judges with your moaning), pay up and hopefully get decent representation that minimizes adverse outcomes (besides alleged penury). Or, don't pay, defend yourself, and later wonder from Ballo whether it is better to be broke and free or flush and locked up away from your 9 progeny. Mr. Straker is fortunate that BVI authorities have not confiscated his land and property as assets obtained through criminal activity. Plenty of US authorities fund themselves from the sale of confiscated cars, houses, boats, land etc. used in criminal activity.
  • Really (06/12/2019, 09:39) Like (20) Dislike (2) Reply

    This doesn't make sense. If he owes people money so he'll have to sell eventually to pay what he owes. If the land is in the VI, the court should have the right to seize it to pay what he owes. His children will just have to be like everyone else and work for what they want.

  • 911 (06/12/2019, 10:24) Like (0) Dislike (24) Reply
    let my people go!
  • Nice (06/12/2019, 11:42) Like (4) Dislike (7) Reply
    Legal fees should be within reason as persons have been falsely accused before and released. When we think about rights we have to consider all persons. Should an innocent person who fall into similar circumstances (falsely accused) they have to sell everything to prove their innocence? Should they have to spend numerous years in jail because they can't afford legal fees or refuse or refuse to part with their property.
  • max (06/12/2019, 14:00) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply

    For drug traffickers everything is well when the money is flowing. Drug trafficking is risky business. F you can’t pay the fine do the time.

  • Late to the party (06/12/2019, 14:19) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    So he’ll sell he land that value money to hustle drugs to get money. I never did like maths.
  • Peachesh (06/12/2019, 14:39) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    hmmm I see how you got all dem piece of land..
  • Me (06/12/2019, 15:15) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
    Only in the BVI ,hear this man.Soon he will be in the pulpit saying uknow what expecting we BVISLANDERS to believe he is a saint.Only in the BVI
  • lodger (06/12/2019, 22:50) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Nobody commenting on this case being FOUR YEAR OLD? Who is holding it up, or being allowed to hold it up. Disgraceful!
  • liar liar (07/12/2019, 06:34) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply

    Sell your houses in Saint Martin to pay. Where you get all this money from anyway ?

  • liar (07/12/2019, 10:03) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Strupes sell wa land come on stop lien an fooling people
  • Steve (07/12/2019, 16:10) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    But you knew you had 9 children when you were selling your poison to other people’s children and you didn’t care. So only your children are important? You had to sell your land because of your own callousness. No sympathy here.
  • Best Stuff (08/12/2019, 18:41) Like (0) Dislike (2) Reply
    This is all BS, should never be in the news.


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