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UPDATE: ‘Letty's' lawyer asks court to return travel documents

-Trial set for September, 2013
A request was made for the return of Violet 'Letty' Hodge's travel documents when she appeared before the Magistrate's Court on June 28, 2013. Photo: VINO/File
Co-accused, Lucien Smith at a previous court hearing. Photo: VINO/File
Co-accused, Lucien Smith at a previous court hearing. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – The trial for Violet ‘Letty’ Hodge in relation to drug conspiracy and illegal gun possession charges is now expected to begin in September after the accused changed legal representation recently.

Hodge is now being represented by a new attorney, Patrick Thompson of McW Todman and Co along with her co-accused, Lucien Smith after her previous attorney had departed the Territory.

Hodge is being tried in conjunction with Smith, and is accused of conspiracy to import drugs; acquisition, possession or use of proceeds of criminal conduct; keeping a prohibited firearm; and unlawful possession of explosives.

When the duo appeared in court yesterday, June 28, 2013 Thompson made a formal request that Hodge’s travel documents be returned to her and stated that this would be the only adjustment to her current bail conditions.

A joint operation between the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force and U.S. law enforcement authorities on September 29, 2010 led to the alleged seizure of eight bales of cocaine totaling over 260 kilos on the south side of Norman Island.

It is alleged that two of the boats used to pick up the cocaine were registered to Smith. The Romney Park resident was then slapped with charges for conspiracy to import cocaine, importation of cocaine and unlawful possession of cocaine with intent to supply.

Thompson argued that Hodge had received her travel documents on several occasions in the past and had always returned to the Territory afterwards for court hearings. Senior Crown Counsel Valston Graham said the prosecution had no objections to this.

Senior Magistrate Tamia Richards told the prosecutor that she had had no difficulty with granting the request once the defendant's surety agreed. She also noted that she had received consent forms for the defendant to travel from the Crown in the past even before receiving the defendant's requests for the travel documents and found this strange.

Both defendants remain on bail and will return to court on September 25, 2013.

See previous story posted June 13, 2013:

‘Letty’ Hodge changes law firm

ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – The Crown requested an adjournment in the Magistrate’s Court today June 13, 2013 after it was announced that Violet ‘Letty’ Hodge had expressed interest in a change of representation in her trial.

It was announced that the defendant will no longer be represented by Orion Law Firm in the matter and will instead be represented by MCW Todman & Co.

Hodge is being tried in conjunction with Lucien Smith, and is accused of conspiracy to import drugs; acquisition, possession or use of proceeds of criminal conduct; keeping a prohibited firearm; and unlawful possession of explosives.

Attorney at law Richard Rowe of Orion Law Firm asked to be removed as counsel after telling the court that Hodge had a preference for another lawyer who has since left the firm.

Hodge told the court she preferred the other attorney because he was the one that had started her case and also mentioned that she only received her documents from the firm on Wednesday. Hodge was previously represented by Herbert McKenzie.

A question was raised by the Magistrate about whether there would be a conflict in her new representation since both defendants would now be represented by the same law firm.

Senior Crown Counsel Valston Graham, who said there were four witnesses for the trial, said he did not see a conflict because the Crown’s intention is to try both defendants jointly.

Hodge was jointly charged with her husband Earl ‘Bob’ Hodge previously but local charges against Mr. Hodge were dropped by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) and he is now facing extradition requests from the US .

The matter was adjourned to June 28, 2013.

34 Responses to “UPDATE: ‘Letty's' lawyer asks court to return travel documents”

  • JACK BE STILL (13/06/2013, 13:59) Like (16) Dislike (24) Reply
    let the women go free she did nothing wrong!!!
  • Tyso (13/06/2013, 14:54) Like (7) Dislike (2) Reply
    So she want Herb mcKenzie represent her. Swell
    • @ Tyson (13/06/2013, 15:09) Like (7) Dislike (9) Reply
      i will want him too so he has left the "firm" and she want no one else to represent her that is telling!!! ...hahahahah lol
  • Fan (13/06/2013, 15:25) Like (8) Dislike (31) Reply
    without Letty horse race will be dead...the governemnt needs to think about the bigger picture deman
    • hard times (14/06/2013, 09:31) Like (7) Dislike (1) Reply
      When all the asset confiscation is done, the government will have a large stake in the horse track. What odds do I hear ?
    • True (30/06/2013, 09:28) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
      So if a murder and rapist of young children was in charge of horse racing you would be okay with them being free as the government should look to get the charges dropped as horse racing need these people to survive???????
  • JVD MAS (13/06/2013, 16:23) Like (8) Dislike (21) Reply
    HER MAJESTY IS FULL OF SH-----IT THAT COURT HOUSE IS MESSUP .THEY DROP ALLLLCHARGES ON THEM SAY THE BIG MASTER MINE. AND THEY DEH STILL FRIGGING UP THE POOR SWEET LADY THAT BBBIG GUNS COULDENT FIT HER LET THE DAM WOMAN ALONE DROP ALL CHARGES ONW NOW IN THE NAME OF THE QUEEN
  • Question for VINO (13/06/2013, 17:38) Like (21) Dislike (5) Reply
    Isn't it a conflict of interest that Orion Law is headed by the Minister of Education and Culture. In reference that the prison falls under that Ministry. Just wondering if you can respond.
  • Well (13/06/2013, 18:04) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    What hogwash!
  • Captain Kangaroo (14/06/2013, 01:51) Like (6) Dislike (4) Reply
    I can see why anyone might keep a firearm and explosives at all - the justice system in the BVI is so
    dangerous that one has to protect themselves. If it's against the law to even have a gun, just what does
    the government want people to do to protect themselves from real criminals anyway? Call a lawyer?
    Do a rain dance? Invite Monty Python over to do an exhorcism? Invite the Governor over for tea and
    crumpets? What in hell is going on there anyway?
  • ccc (14/06/2013, 07:30) Like (8) Dislike (37) Reply
    Free bob an chad
  • . (14/06/2013, 08:02) Like (11) Dislike (1) Reply
    smart move for that firm nah ready.
  • who know (14/06/2013, 11:58) Like (12) Dislike (0) Reply
    To @ what was it a parking ticket?
  • adelle (14/06/2013, 16:49) Like (7) Dislike (7) Reply
    So let all of the criminals go free. That is why the BVI is sinking.
  • yes (16/06/2013, 23:18) Like (2) Dislike (7) Reply
    She might have been set up.
  • bvi massive (29/06/2013, 08:40) Like (5) Dislike (2) Reply
    Letty Hodge best of luck.

  • . (29/06/2013, 08:50) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply

    Y m**** dont renew de man/s permit?

  • wilma (29/06/2013, 11:50) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    mackenzie is a good lawyer they could of give him atempory permit to finish his 15 cases for the people and then let him leave .because the people pay money already i wonder how that part going play out .them have to get back them money.
  • fat man (29/06/2013, 12:13) Like (6) Dislike (2) Reply
    why the hell they just do not free the dam women? she did nothing wrong and the crown and governor knows tis
  • wilma (29/06/2013, 12:14) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    adelle u want a candy i also take issue with your statement (.you hater )
  • wet well (29/06/2013, 17:21) Like (2) Dislike (3) Reply
    FREE BOB AND CHAD
  • yes we can (29/06/2013, 19:01) Like (8) Dislike (1) Reply
    Letty has contributed more to this country than many who trying to lock her up bam
  • facts (30/06/2013, 14:04) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    if they put this sweet lady letty away its like shutting down the racetrack
  • nanny cay (01/07/2013, 23:14) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Let the law be equal and let us stop saying we are a god fearing people only when it suits us.


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