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UPDATE: Simeon Pope cross-examines witnesses!

- Accused before court on seven counts of Pecuniary (financial) Advantage by Deception
Simeon Pope following his appearance in the High Court on March 12, 2013. Photo: VINO
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI - Two persons who are witnesses for the prosecution in the case against alleged fraudster Mr Simeon Pope have given their testimonies in the High Court. Mr Pope even cross-examined the witnesses, and alleged that he gave one of them two options during their alleged transaction.

At the time Mr Pope was cross-examining Mr Alvin James who was the first witness on the stand yesterday March 12, 2013, when the trial commenced before Justice Albert Redhead. “I am putting it to you that I told you that you had two choices; to wait until I get the vehicle fixed, sell it and get back my money or two; I’ll let you wait and see if government has any other vehicle selling and you could come and look at it,” said Mr Pope to the witness.

Mr James told the court that he had entered into an arrangement with Mr Pope for the purchase of a vehicle from the Public Works Department of the Government of the Virgin Islands, through a bidding system. Mr James had reportedly paid $600.00 to Mr. Pope.

Mr Pope sought to establish that he had given Mr James a vehicle after the money was paid but according to James, “You did not give me no vehicle. He told me he has vehicle for me at the Government Office and he needed to fix it. He never told me to come and pick up the vehicle.”

During the cross examination, Mr Pope referred to Mr James as “a politician” as he claimed that Mr James was constantly changing his testimony. Following a question put forward by Mr Pope, Mr James stated emphatically that he did not tell the accused that he no longer wanted the vehicle. He also stated that he had decided to file a report at the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (FVIPF) having heard of a complaint against Mr Pope during a local radio programme.

In the case of Mr Peter Robinson, a Jamaican national residing in the Virgin Islands for over six years, he said that he and Mr Pope were acquaintances as they often times "played ball" together and Mr Pope called him by the nickname “Jamdown” . Mr Robinson told the court he had trusted Mr Pope and had never expected him to be dishonest to him. However, Mr Pope had questioned his level of trust after he, Mr Robinson, had reportedly insisted that he needed a receipt for “my cash money”.

He said that Pope had driven him to Banko Popular to get the money to pay for the vehicle as he was going to get the vehicle the following day. The witness told the court that he took a sum of money from the bank on a loan and Mr Pope was calling him every minute while he was conducting the transaction in the bank. By the time he was out of the bank, the accused had left but returned within minutes after he received a phone call from the alleged victim.

The trial continues today March 13, 2013.

See previous article posted on March 12, 2013

UPDATE: Pope went to extreme to transport alleged victims to bank- Court

As reported earlier today, March 12, 2013 the trial in the case against Mr Simeon Pope, who is before the court on seven counts of Pecuniary (financial) Advantage by Deception, started this morning before High Court judge Albert Redhead. 

Senior Crown Council Ms Christlyn Benjamin took time to present the Prosecution's case as it was the lone opportunity that the Crown would have had to address the jury directly. This is as a consequence of Mr Pope being self represented.

Ms Benjamin told the court that there were 7 counts of the offence against Pope allegedly committed against Mr. Peter Robertson, Mr Alvin James and Mr Harold John.

Pope has pleaded not guilty but has not denied that he did take the monies from the three men. Senior Crown Council Benjamin went through the paces of what allegedly transpired between Mr Pope and the three men. In all of the cases Mr Pope had reportedly convinced the men that he would have been able to acquire the vehicles which were on sale by the Public Works Department.

It was noted that Mr Pope went to the extreme of transporting some of his victims to their banks to get monies, which to their understanding were to be part payments for their vehicles.

As the prosecution presented the facts of the case, it was revealed that on two occasions, Pope allegedly took two of his victims to see the vehicles that he was proposing to acquire for them through a bidding process. This never materialized and both Mr James and Mr Robertson failed to contact Mr. Pope via his mobile phones. This resulted in them making reports to the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF).

In the case of Mr John, it was alleged that Mr Pope had told him that he heard that he wanted a vehicle to purchase. Pope allegedly demanded advanced payments and after Mr James realised that something was amiss because of the royal run-around he was experiencing, he made a report to the RVIPF. However, according to the prosecution, after the report, Mr John did make person to person contact with the accused and following a discussion Pope apologised and returned the full sum of $2,800.00 to Mr John. Pope was accused of verbally abusing Mr John via his mobile phone as he kept calling regularly about the arrangements.

Seated in the accused box in the High Court today, Mr Pope had to be subjected to compose himself as he frequently made loud utterances as the Crown was presenting its case.

Mr Alvin James was the first witness called by the prosecution to the stand. During this time Pope was observed behaving in a manner deemed inappropriate in court.

When Mr James was asked to show the court where Mr Pope was and to identify him, Mr Pope stood up with chest raised, hands in his pockets, and stern face as to model for the court. It took several instructions of the court orderly to convince him to sit and contain his behaviour.

According to the Crown, it is anticipated that the trial will conclude no later than Friday March 15, 2013.

See previous story posted on March 12, 2013

Accused fraudster Simeon Pope for trial in High Court today

ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI - Simeon Pope is set to appear in the High Court today March 12, 2013 when his trial is expected to commence before Justice Albert Redhead.

Virgin Islands News Online was reliably informed that a jury body will be sworn in this morning to preside over the case. Pope is likely to continue his usual trend of not having a lawyer as he is likely to defend his case himself.

Pope is charged with seven counts of obtaining property allegedly by deception in March 2010. Allegations were that he obtained money under false pretense as he collected monies from a number of persons for the purchase of used Government-owned vehicles

It is alleged that each complainant gave cash down payments as he requested, but were never given the vehicles which resulted in reports being made to the Police when they did not receive the vehicles neither any sort of reimbursements.

The start of the trial for Pope might be a relief to him, however, as he has often complained bitterly about his case being brought to trial. He had even complained at length to Justice Redhead sometime last year when he had accused the DPP of deliberately delaying his trial.

47 Responses to “UPDATE: Simeon Pope cross-examines witnesses!”

  • weed (12/03/2013, 09:39) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    you mean NDP could not hire a laywer to help one of dem supporters?
    • SHAME (12/03/2013, 11:11) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
      NDP nah send he to tek the people money and he know he can't sell no vehicle
    • Chris (12/03/2013, 11:25) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      for real....maybe all the $$$ went for him to call into talk shows
  • rat tail (12/03/2013, 10:01) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply

    He got no shame another NDP crony and ba....t

    • old man (13/03/2013, 01:57) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
      These scammers could not operate without help of an insider
    • UK (13/03/2013, 02:26) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
      Hint, hint BVI; crack down on the scammers before the world cracks down on you for a few bad apples.
    • Bird (14/03/2013, 15:40) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      Bird of a feather flock together, that the company them NDP keep wooow
  • ooooo (12/03/2013, 10:39) Like (7) Dislike (1) Reply
    how come myron aint defending one of his soldier boyz..come on myron...stop running...leh we do this thing
  • vip (12/03/2013, 10:41) Like (4) Dislike (2) Reply
    This thing look like it contageous>>>>He caught it from the NDP
  • passive justice (12/03/2013, 12:24) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    @vip lol no comment.
    • vvv (12/03/2013, 12:27) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Another NDP blogger hard at work to deflect from the failure of its party. Please give us solutions not negative propaganda

  • Hope (12/03/2013, 14:18) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    hope when he calls in on the next talk show he expain to the government his actions
  • bam see (12/03/2013, 14:24) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    Whats up with these ndp's?....Last week was black now this week its gold teeth in the headlines
    • CrucianDIVA (14/03/2013, 05:40) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Judge Redhead must be thinking, what kind of bush lawyer I have here this morning...
  • . (12/03/2013, 14:47) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    You are known by the company you keep
  • OK Then (12/03/2013, 15:28) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Is this really the man that calls in on every talk show? Well that's a shame.......
  • POPE (12/03/2013, 16:44) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    BVI CONCLAVE started today.
    • USA student (13/03/2013, 02:19) Like (3) Dislike (22) Reply
      Why is this Island man here in the first place and had a government job? our borders so open to all and sundry??
  • willy wonka (12/03/2013, 16:59) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Really he brave. Go get a lawyer boy. Stop playing Lawyer, maybe myron give him tip$ ha!
  • ooooo (12/03/2013, 17:14) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    look like he forget to walk with his ndp flag
  • lol lol (12/03/2013, 20:59) Like (0) Dislike (3) Reply
    wait wa he doing wid note pad this man can read
  • wise-up (12/03/2013, 21:45) Like (1) Dislike (4) Reply
    if was as stupid as this guys; i will personally shoot myself !!!!!!!
  • chad (12/03/2013, 22:20) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    You see the amount of buttons on that jacket? Fool, if he cut back on them buttons he might be could afford a lawyer.
  • fllor mat (13/03/2013, 01:45) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Oh gosh is that pope in shirt and tie??? Look ting for me tis day
  • self (13/03/2013, 08:32) Like (0) Dislike (6) Reply
    I heard this idiot on the radio this morning…wonders never stop in this place….
  • -------------- (13/03/2013, 09:04) Like (1) Dislike (3) Reply
    Not even a high school education but playing lawyer
    • Queen Mary (13/03/2013, 09:41) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Don't worry he will come across that obstacle soon....
    • Ironic (13/03/2013, 09:46) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      What does that tell you about Lawyers? lol Anyone can Lie......
      • Hmm (13/03/2013, 21:22) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        depending on the outcome of this case..... hold tight..... it might turn out that they dumb and waste of money go study. let POPE represent. haha
  • ***&/// (13/03/2013, 09:39) Like (3) Dislike (3) Reply
    Some of you all comments make this site seems like a ghetto site...no sense at all. Like un-educated people.
    • ... (14/03/2013, 07:48) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      I couldn't agree with you more. I'm reading through and there is literally NOT ONE sensible comment (besides yours).
  • my two cents (13/03/2013, 09:59) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I want to know, if there are many on this Planet that would believe ANYTHING that comes from the mouth of the mouth piece of the NDP propaganda machine Pope???
  • Video (13/03/2013, 10:33) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    There is more to this story. Who else in PWD was involved in this? I'm not buying it.
  • big bird (13/03/2013, 11:37) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    This man has no clue about his responsibilities as a defendant!!
  • Pope Large (13/03/2013, 12:32) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Pope say "I am putting it to you" sounds like he's been coaxed lol
  • whatathing (13/03/2013, 13:04) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Lol any Bristol in the house!!!!!!!!!!!!! 1802 court house back in session but in the BVI lol help us lord what a thing aryo say common sense will help him lol
  • cuff (13/03/2013, 20:21) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Oh no!!! deman no one told us this guy was the new POPE!!! What is his name POPE fraud II?
  • con man (13/03/2013, 20:44) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    The Port Authority needs a new head. Pope seems perfectly qualified.
  • rose (14/03/2013, 15:37) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Pope this is not a game, why are you smilling for? you could go to jail you know
  • Hell no (14/03/2013, 15:45) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply

    When a certain Min.....had theif St.thomas food stamp the NDP government had run from her so why Myron have help this Island Man, all his NDP family needs to buy him a one way ticket and tell LIAT leave on time to St. Vincent

  • Swagg!!! (14/03/2013, 18:34) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Pope yo sharp my boy, don't mind the noise, that suit cuttin!! #top a da line
  • mother hen (14/03/2013, 23:57) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    I think scammers should feel the full force of the law and be made to pay for their crimes


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