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Bob Hodge, Carlton Beazer change lawyers!

- Extradition hearing pushed back to Feb. 3 & 6
Bob Hodge is the alleged mastermind in the drug ring that spanned for over 13 years in the VI.
From left to right Harrigan, Skelton and Beazer. Photo: VINO
From left to right Harrigan, Skelton and Beazer. Photo: VINO
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – The extradition hearing for the five alleged cocaine traffickers, who are wanted by the Southern District of Florida, United States for conspiracy to import cocaine, has been pushed back until February after two of the defendants have changed counsel.

The hearing was expected to start this morning, January 19, 2012 in the Magistrate's Court.

Crown Counsel Valston Graham told the court this morning that Earl ‘Bob’Hodge and Carlton Beazer have now secured the service of Orion Law Firm to represent them.

The Crown received a letter on January 5, 2012 from Hodge, Graham added, indicating his decision to change his counsel - Dr. J S Archibald. Hodge’s new lawyer will be Julian Knowles.

In relation to Beazer, his previous lawyer was Duane Jean Baptiste, who has left the jurisdiction. He will now be represented by Herbert Mc. Kenzie.

Meanwhile, legal representations for the other co-defendants Chad Skelton, Juan Valdez and Roberto Harrigan remain the same.

Therefore, as a result of the switch, McKenzie asked the court for an adjournment, which will allow for Knowles and himself to wade through the voluminous documents to become au fait with the case. Crown Counsel Graham was in support of the adjournment, and quickly added that he and the former Director of Public Prosecutions Terrance Williams were ready.

To this end, February 3 and 6, 2012 were agreed for the extradition hearing.

Since their arrest on August 24, 2011 at their respective homes, Hodge, Skelton, Beazer and Harrigan have captivated the Territory with their alleged shenanigans in evading the law in their drug operation that first caught the attention of law enforcement officers in 1998.

Apart from the conspiracy offence, the quartet is charged with conspiracy to import a controlled drug, while Hodge is also charged with the unlawful possession of a prohibited firearm, unlawful possession of explosives, one count of acquisition and possession of used proceeds of criminal conduct. In addition to that, he is facing four counts of being in possession of cocaine with the intent to supply and four counts of importation of cocaine.

Harrigan, a Customs Officer, is facing two counts of abuse of authority in facilitating the entry of persons for illegal purposes into the Territory, one count of acquisition and possession of used proceeds of criminal conduct and one count of criminal proceeds, and bribery by a public officer.

Additionally, Skelton and Beazer are both charged with one count of acquisition and possession of used proceeds of criminal conduct, four counts of being in possession of cocaine with the intent to supply and four counts of importation of the controlled drug respectively.

However, these charges are pending in the Magistrate’s Court.

During a court hearing on August 27, 2011, Crown Counsel Valston Graham told the court that throughout the years Hodge and his alleged accomplices picked up some 4,518 kilogrammes of cocaine from airdrops in VI waters, with Beazer and Skelton allegedly assisting in the recovery of the illegal substance.

15 Responses to “Bob Hodge, Carlton Beazer change lawyers!”

  • freedom (18/01/2012, 14:39) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    mehson ayo let the people go dem aint kill nobody this is harrasment of locals
    • Sprinkles (18/01/2012, 17:54) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      You wont be saying that if you lost someone in your family because of drugs. Simple-minded twit
    • Jack johnson (19/01/2012, 13:14) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Freedom you must be a drug dealer why you asking these men to be freed. They did their crimes so let them pay. To much drug dealers here in the BVI who been profiting for years. Time is surely longer than twine. More left to be locked up
    • Freewoman (20/01/2012, 14:36) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      I agree. I know I will get a lot of flack about this but I'm going to say it anyway. Anyone who has lost their life to drugs (including my very own family members) did it by their own will {barring accidents of wrong place wrong time} on both sides of the coin. Trying to put these low level dealers in jail to stave off the drug trade (and if you're not making it and in charge of the MILLIONS, you are low level) is like putting a band aid on a 12 inch gash, it's not even going to begin to address the issue! Here comes more flack ---> Legalize drugs and the crime will go away and every junkie that wants to get high can do it under government scrutiny. Oh, but wait! Then the DEA, lawyers, task force and all of those who profit off of the drug trade will be out of a job! Alcohol is legal and is the leading cause of death, followed by cigarettes... but NO ONE is dying over them and if you have an alcoholic in your family you know it's just as bad as being a junkie but it's excepted. Yes, I said it and I mean it. LEGALIZE DRUGS and thugs won't kill you and fiends won't bash out your brains for a fix because they can't take stolen goods to the pharmacy for payment!!!
  • qq (18/01/2012, 16:38) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    yeap tis is a travesty of justice
  • dead man walking (18/01/2012, 22:00) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    let's see if the weak NDP can stand up to the USA and demand that our people be tried at home, as our system is as good as goal!
    • JTV (19/01/2012, 08:02) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      This has nothing to do wid NDP it’s the justice system which is its own branch of government…stop chat fart!
    • Jack johnson (19/01/2012, 13:17) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Hogwash!!!! In the US they are guranteed jail time. The judicial system in the BVI is a joke. The chances of the jury here being paid off here is to high. To much at stake here. These guys are all guilty as sin.
  • Mmm (19/01/2012, 12:44) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    whats the reason for the change
    • Jay (19/01/2012, 13:54) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Mmm, why don't you write Hodge and Beazer a letter asking them the reason for the change in counsel.
  • Real Talk (19/01/2012, 13:26) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    No political party will have a say in this! The UK and by extension BVI has treaties with the USA! This is in the hands of the LAW and to an extent, the Governor! There's nothing the Government can do at this stage!
  • weed man (19/01/2012, 15:06) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    i wonder why they change????
    • CURIOUS (19/01/2012, 19:28) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Y is this so important to u. Do u want to represent them or pay their legal fees? When u see them again u can ask them instead on posting here.
  • Don't worry (19/01/2012, 18:06) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Not to worry. The Bubba's in the federal prisons can wait for the newbies to arrive.
  • Set ah ignorance (20/01/2012, 19:30) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Tola is full of small-minded and ignorant people. It is the God given right of those men to change there legal representation if need be. Instead of worrying aout trivial things like this. What happen to the rapists who are being set free and granted bail for 50k. People already have their minds made up about these men so whether they are guilty or not they have already been judged. As old people the say "WHEN YOU DIGGING DITCH DIG TWO BUT DIG YOURS DEEPER"


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