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'My mother aint going jail'- Cordell O’Neal allegedly told cops

- Witness #1 spent over four hours on the stand as trial commenced
Former Legislator Mrs Irene Penn-O'Neal & daughter Zubidah O’Neal. Photo: VINO
Shameek Grant. Photo: VINO
Shameek Grant. Photo: VINO
Cordell O'Neal pleaded guilty to three counts of unlawful possession of explosives/ammunition charges and has since been sentenced. Photo: VINO
Cordell O'Neal pleaded guilty to three counts of unlawful possession of explosives/ammunition charges and has since been sentenced. Photo: VINO
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – It was a long day of needle point grilling of the first witness called by the Crown, Constable Kelleon London, yesterday, March 4, 2015 in the guns and ammunition case being heard in the Magistrate’s Court against some members of the O’Neal’s family; Mrs Irene Penn-O’Neal and Zubidah O’Neal. Shameek Grant was also jointly tried with the duo.

In laying the foundation of his testimony yesterday, the police constable told the court that it was as a result of him receiving certain information that one of his colleagues proceeded to obtaining a search warrant of the O’Neal’s family home. 

He related to the court that after uplifting a warrant himself and other assigned officers went to the home of the O’Neals where their knocks on the door of the upper flat of the building was responded to by Mrs Irene Penn-O’Neal, who he alleged invited the team into the house after the warrant was read to her. 

He said that upon entry all the occupants who were in the home at the time were summoned to the living room area and Mrs Penn-O’Neal led the police team to her bedroom where they commenced their search. He noted that nothing illegal was found in her bedroom. 

The search then moved to the bedroom that was occupied by the 2nd and 3rd defendants in the trial, Zubidah O’Neal and Shameek Grant. It was in that room that the witness alleged that they found a black gun box casing and when cautioned the two made no reply but Mrs Penn-O’Neal allegedly told the police officers that it was a tool box. 

Further searches, he testified, continued in the same room where a box was found containing "banana shaped" magazine belonging to an AK 47 rifle, a zip lock bag containing 37 rounds of ammunition, which he said the accused denied having any knowledge of.

The search party then took their digging to the study room, which was allegedly situated between Zubidah’s room and the living room area and it was there he alleged that they found a grey backpack under a table. Upon opening same, the offers allegedly found a springfield armory pistol with 11 rounds of 9mm ammunition and a tech 9 sub machine gun with 13 rounds.

The witness said that at this time another occupant of the home, Cordell O’Neal, had join them and he was shown the items and in response said, “My mother aint going jail. I come up for the morning, whatever you find I put it there,” the cop alleged.

Before the search was brought to an end the officer told the court that they had also found a firearm safe in another part of the house.

The occupants of the home were all taken to the Road Town Police Station but during cross examination by the Attorney representing Mrs Penn-O’Neal, Mrs Valarie Stephens-Gordon questioned the officer as to why Mr Otto O’Neal was not charged even though arrested in relation to the matter as it was established that the property was jointly owned by both parties- Mr Otto O'Neal and Mrs Irene Penn-O'Neal.

Via the witness, it was established that the said officer did a recorded interview with Mr Otto O’Neal and when questioned he told the court that he did not turn over that recording to the investigating body because they did not request it. “It was not asked of me your honour,” said the witness.

There were several other questions put to the witness by Mrs Stephens-Gordon and he constantly replied, “I cannot recall.” This led to the seasoned attorney suggesting to him that he had a selective pattern of memory but he responded, “I am under oath your honour, I do not want to lie.”

At least six other witnesses spent the day out in the courtyard hoping to be called to take the witness box but it was sometime after noon that they were all summoned to the courtroom to be told that the extensive time spent with the first witness would not allow the court to call any other witness for the remainder of the day.

It was agreed that the next hearing of the case will be on May 20-21, 2015 at which time the Crown was advised by Senior Magistrate Tamia Richards that they should decide on the witnesses to take the stand to avoid having them all appear at the court.

25 Responses to “'My mother aint going jail'- Cordell O’Neal allegedly told cops”

  • 123 (05/03/2015, 09:16) Like (19) Dislike (26) Reply
    this is a set up but we still voting for IPO all the way
  • DON Q (05/03/2015, 09:17) Like (21) Dislike (14) Reply
    We got your back mrs oneal
  • ABC (05/03/2015, 09:40) Like (6) Dislike (4) Reply
    Hmmm, I don't like where this is heading.
  • .... (05/03/2015, 09:53) Like (29) Dislike (3) Reply
    Maybe the O'neals had heard that E.P was getting ready to declare war and started stockpiling weapons... IOP said it was a toolbox? It certainly was my dear...Real Tool....lol
  • Just saying.... (05/03/2015, 11:06) Like (3) Dislike (28) Reply
    did not know shekeem waz a bad bouy
    • SB (05/03/2015, 12:49) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
      If being found with that vibes then bout 90% of the entire VI males are bad boys.
    • Plaster (06/03/2015, 15:09) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
      And treat it that you still don't know, because guess what? HE ISN'T. Just saying my a*s. You people are too damn malicious1!!!
  • chad (05/03/2015, 11:23) Like (6) Dislike (13) Reply
    The NDP trying hard.......
  • smokin gun (05/03/2015, 11:55) Like (19) Dislike (0) Reply
    sub machine gun, an AK 47, where there is smoke there is fire.
  • Serious Business (05/03/2015, 12:41) Like (9) Dislike (37) Reply
    Lock all of them up!
  • high hope (05/03/2015, 13:25) Like (12) Dislike (5) Reply
    We still have faith in Irene and voting for she all the way...in fact I met her some days again and always thought she was still in the Council...She is good people decent women of passion and courage
  • TRAAAAPPPPPPPPP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (05/03/2015, 13:32) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply

    all in all yall "£$%^ need go sit down on a d***

  • Jus saying (05/03/2015, 14:49) Like (1) Dislike (15) Reply
    WRONG IS WRONG RIGHT IS RIGHT , WHAT GOOD FOR PAUL IS GOOD JANE , WATS NOT GOOD FOR PETER CANN'T BE GOOD POPE ,
    • tom (05/03/2015, 16:35) Like (36) Dislike (3) Reply
      This is just a waste of time, money and resources but the system has to comply with the law. The prosecution could have dropped the charges when the son pled guilty but I'm not sure why that wasn't done in this case. If Dr. Smith , you and I was in the house on the on the day of the raid we would also be charged for the weapons but that does not mean that we are guilty of any crime.
  • SOS (05/03/2015, 16:51) Like (6) Dislike (4) Reply

    WE STILL VOTING FOR MS. ONEAL AND VIP ALL THE F....... WAY BECAUSE SHE IS A NICE AND HONEST PERSON. THIS $h1t AINT RIGHT!!!!!!!!!

  • yummy (05/03/2015, 18:28) Like (7) Dislike (8) Reply
    Her daughter fine as hell though!
  • Teacher (05/03/2015, 21:21) Like (0) Dislike (2) Reply
    The daughter is teaching those same lawyers, judge and crown witnesses right now as we speak.
  • Pundit (05/03/2015, 21:50) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
    IPO looks like a real Mob Boss in that pic messon...
  • Sue (06/03/2015, 10:41) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    Do not worry cousin GOD never sleep we are praying for you from your relatives in Florida.
  • joe (06/03/2015, 15:56) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    zubida lips hotter an more dangerous than an ak47.


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