Magistrate remands gun accused for four months

Jul 28, 2009 News

Despite relentless arguments by attorney at law Adrian Thompson, Magistrate Hazel Octive-Hamilton, remanded Garfield Batson 42, of 212 D’Andrade Street, Newtown, who was slapped with three charges ranging from possession of firearm to possession of ammunition.
Bail was refused and the accused is expected to make another court appearance on November 25.
Batson pleaded not guilty to a charge which states that on July 24, he had in his possession a 12-gauge shot gun, without being the holder of an enforced firearm licence. It was further alleged that on the same date Batson had in his possession a .9 MM pistol along with seven matching rounds of ammunition without being the holder of a firearm licence. He pleaded not guilty to all the charges.
Attorney-at-law Adrian Thompson who represented Batson asked that the court take note that if any amendment is to be done, it should not be done by the prosecutor.
Thompson made this comment after the prosecutor corrected an irregularity which was on the case docket. There were some irregularities about the charge and the amendment had to be made.
However, he was instructed by the magistrate that the amendment could be done by the prosecutor since she had not read the charge to the defendant, nor did he make his plea.
The lawyer moved on and explained that his client is married with four children who deeply depend on Batson. Thompson further added that his client is a technician who installs security cameras.
The lawyer argued that his client has no pending matters before the courts, nor is he known by the police.
Thompson said that Batson who had an open heart surgery 12 years ago still needs to be checked regularly.
“If my client is sent to the Camp Street jail it could cause him bodily injury and even death, mainly because he cannot be given any strenuous tasks” Thompson explained.
The magistrate interjected and told the lawyer that medical reasons are not special reasons for bail.
The lawyer said that Batson poses no flight risk and would even lodge his travel documents as a means of surety.
Police Prosecutor Steven Telford objected to bail. The prosecutor told the court that the section in which the defendant is charged only provides for special reasons. He added that the firearms were found in Batson’s bedroom.
The prosecutor further explained that Batson also gave the police a caution statement admitting that he has knowledge about the firearms and ammunition and which he said were given to him by a “friend” for safekeeping.
Thompson interjected and said that his client only had knowledge about the shotgun, since it was an antique which hangs in his bedroom. The lawyer said that Batson however has no knowledge of the .9MM pistol.

Latest News

Magistrate remands gun accused for four months

Related

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show|| April, 7th, 2025

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

Berbice ease past Demerara in low-scoring match

Upper Demerara suffer 8 wicket loss as Lakeram...

Joshi is the new National 2025 Women’s Chess...

Kares Engineering renews title sponsorship of One...

Harpy Eagles looking to put old rivals to bed,...

Windsor Estates reigns supreme at AmCham Golf...

Features/Columnists

The geography of pettiness

The U.S. “Joining” the Commonwealth: an unreasonable expectation

Police violence – life is cheap in Linden

Publisher’s Note

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]

Magistrate remands gun accused for four months

Share this:

Related

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show|| April, 7th, 2025

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

Features/Columnists

Publisher’s Note

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]