Got TIPS or BREAKING NEWS? Please call 1-284-442-8000 direct/can also WhatsApp same number or Email ALL news to:newsvino@outlook.com;                               ads call 1-284-440-6666

Prosecution ready to proceed with Vanterpool drug possession case

Defence requests adjournment
The prosecution expressed that they were ready to proceed on charges of drug possession against Joel Vanterpool. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – The Crown’s case against Joel Vanterpool on charges of possession of cannabis and cocaine was all set to proceed when the matter came before Senior Magistrate Tamia Richards yesterday November 28, 2012.

Crown Counsel Sara Benjamin related that the case was ready to proceed as one of the two officers concerned with the matter was present to officer testimony. She explained that the substance had already been tested.

Ms Benjamin told the court that the substance could not be located at the time but the officer would still give testimony in spite of this and it would be presented at a later date as evidence before the court.

The matter was brought to an unfortunate halt as Vanterpool’s attorney, Stephen Daniels, made what he termed a rare request for an adjournment as he expressed a conflict in time had arisen with another matter.

Previously, Ms Benjamin made a request for an adjournment when the matter was called before Magistrate Tamia Richards on October 3, 2012 citing the absence of notes of evidence from the file as well as the recent transfer of the case to her as reasons for the request.

Ms Benjamin had explained to the court that she received the files for the matter earlier in the day and indicated that another prosecutor, Mr Valston Graham, had previously been the lead on the case.

She further told the court that there were two officers to be called as witnesses in the matter.

Ms Benjamin made a request from the court for the notes of evidence in the matter since they were missing from her file; magistrate Richards agreed to comply with the request and stated that same will be shared with the defence as well.

The matter will now be called again on January 24, 2013.

7 Responses to “Prosecution ready to proceed with Vanterpool drug possession case”



Create a comment


Create a comment

Disclaimer: Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) welcomes your thoughts, feedback, views, bloggs and opinions. However, by posting a blogg you are agreeing to post comments or bloggs that are relevant to the topic, and that are not defamatory, liable, obscene, racist, abusive, sexist, anti-Semitic, threatening, hateful or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be excluded permanently from making contributions. Please view our declaimer above this article. We thank you in advance for complying with VINO's policy.

Follow Us On

Disclaimer: All comments posted on Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) are the sole views and opinions of the commentators and or bloggers and do not in anyway represent the views and opinions of the Board of Directors, Management and Staff of Virgin Islands News Online and its parent company.