West End drug & gun trial stutters to a start
This was not without a few hiccups though, as Magistrate Dr Velon John, not for the first time, dismissed a charge of possession of explosives against the three remaining accused men.
Mustafa Claxton of Free Bottom; Jose Miguel Christopher of Long Look; and Shaun Williams of Purcell Estate all appeared before the court today charged with a number of offences including unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition, unlawful importation of a firearm and ammunition, conspiracy to import, importation and unlawful possession of cannabis with intent to supply. They have all pleaded not guilty.
The fourth accused, Chaim A. Todman of Johnson Ghut, died following a boat accident last year. The quartet was allegedly found with the illegal items on April 15, 2012 during a stop and search carried out on a blue Mitsubishi motor vehicle in the West End area.
A search of the vehicle uncovered a Glock 40 handgun containing 14 rounds of ammunition and three packages containing a total 260 grams of marijuana. Christopher was allegedly found in possession of 10 grams of marijuana.
After Magistrate John dismissed the explosives charge against the men, Crown Counsel Leslie Ann Faulkner requested an adjournment date, pending the outcome of an appeal of a previous decision by Dr John to dismiss a similar charge in another matter on the basis that it was not filed under the relevant Act.
Faulkner said the Crown preferred to deal with all the charges against the men at one time.
However, attorney at law Patrick Thompson argued that it flies in the face of logic to delay the trial for three months, given the substantial charges against the men. The Appeals Court would not be meeting until May, and Thompson said he saw no wisdom in delaying the trial for that length of time for one charge to be decided on.
He further argued that the Crown should proceed with the matter and lay the charge of possession of explosives (9mm ammunition) on file pending the outcome of the appeal.
Magistrate John said Thompson’s argument was compelling and ruled that the matter would proceed before the court today as police witnesses offered their testimony.
The trial continues on March 5, 2014.
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