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Police witness: Irene F. Penn-O’Neal always denied knowing of guns & ammo

- told the court Cordel O’Neal took ownership from onset
Former legislator Mrs Irene F. Penn-O'Neal (left) and daughter Zubida O’Neal. Photo: VINO/File
Cordel O'Neal was on March 16, 2015 sentenced to a total of 7 years 10 months for arms and ammunition offences. Photo: VINO/File
Cordel O'Neal was on March 16, 2015 sentenced to a total of 7 years 10 months for arms and ammunition offences. Photo: VINO/File
Shameek Grant. Photo: VINO/File
Shameek Grant. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Another police officer, Keishon Leslie has testified that Mrs Irene F. Penn-O’Neal from the onset maintained that she had no knowledge of guns and ammunition found in her home in the early morning hours of October 24, 2014.

The respected former legislator, her children Zubida and Cordel O’Neal and Shameek Grant were in the O’Neal’s home when a raid was conducted at the Pockwood Pond home by officers of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF), who had said they were at the time on an operation based on intelligence gathered.

Cordel O’Neal from the onset had claimed ownership of the illegal items and has since been sentenced to 7 years 10 months in prison. However, the remaining three who pleaded not guilty to charges are having their trial in the Magistrate’s Court before Senior Magistrate Tamia N. Richards.

During his testimony this morning May 20, 2015 Police Officer Leslie took the court through his recollection of what he did, saw and heard during the search of the O’Neal’s home. He recollected vividly Mrs O’Neal saying she had no knowledge of the two guns, ammunition and other related items allegedly found in the study and Zubida’s bedroom.

He also told the court that Cordel O’Neal had told him that it was he who had gone to the two rooms and put the items where they were found and that his mother had no knowledge of any of them. “My mother aint going to jail. Officer I come up here foreday morning and put them there. Whatever you find I put them there,” the Officer recalled Mr O'Neal as saying and noted that O'Neal repeatedly claimed ownership when the search went to the study area of the home as he said, “Officer I done tell you already I come up foreday morning and put them there.”

The trial continues.

13 Responses to “Police witness: Irene F. Penn-O’Neal always denied knowing of guns & ammo”

  • Concern 1 (20/05/2015, 15:44) Like (49) Dislike (8) Reply
    Why now for this? Couldn't this been said and done before? Is someone trying to frame this lady now in the heat of elections so that she could lose favour from the people thus not getting the opportunity to ganar votes? Is this a strategy from her opponents to get her out of the race? well if she is guilty, this should have been done on the outset. is someone here been paid? well it is said money talks and bull$hit walks. Come on now that things are heating up and I liking the drama as it unfolds you all come bring this.Well if the son said his mother aint had no knowledge of the guns perhaps she did and did so without her knowledge. Anyway as the truth unfolds we will see how it goes
    • Really (21/05/2015, 09:02) Like (9) Dislike (3) Reply
      Let us not blame the timing of this event. The month of May was selected long before the House was dissolved. The law is just following its calendar. Why is everything political?
    • overseas (24/05/2015, 13:03) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Same thing I said "why now?"
  • Mr.VI (20/05/2015, 16:02) Like (11) Dislike (2) Reply
    The law just following procedures but I don't know why the charges against the others were not dropped as soon as the son accepted fault. I can see Irene being charged because it is her house but its actually funny that Shameek got caught up just for being Zubida's man. The man don't live there, he sometimes visits but the overzealous prosecutors isn't spending their money so they don't care. Let's ignore facts and charge everybody and hope it sticks. Our legal system is responsible for wasting more money than any government has in the last few years. Recently we have had and lost so many appeals, had reduced sentences, charges dropped, multiple delays and setbacks, misplaced evidence due to our inadequate system.
  • .... (20/05/2015, 16:26) Like (35) Dislike (18) Reply
    We still voting for ipo all the way
  • vip (20/05/2015, 17:33) Like (27) Dislike (8) Reply
    We still voting for her!!!!.... Team IPO!!!!!! XXXX
    • IGNORANT (20/05/2015, 19:57) Like (8) Dislike (13) Reply
      You are a bunch of ignorant fools for encouraging this sort of nonsense!!! disgracing your country. You need to learn political PROTOCAL.
  • tell it like it is (20/05/2015, 17:33) Like (36) Dislike (8) Reply

    We still voting for her.
  • kids (20/05/2015, 17:56) Like (21) Dislike (4) Reply
    We still voting her IPO VIP ALL THE WAY
  • Nic (20/05/2015, 18:19) Like (19) Dislike (5) Reply
    She is good woman we going vote for her
  • Boo (20/05/2015, 19:39) Like (16) Dislike (0) Reply
    She need to beat that boy when he get out of jail for tying her up in all his foolishness
  • zoe (20/05/2015, 19:39) Like (36) Dislike (9) Reply
    Mvw could send all the message he wants we going green
  • HAHA (25/05/2015, 18:27) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    At ZOE... u need keep calm, ur home next remember?


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