Latest update April 4th, 2025 6:13 AM
Drug trafficker to know fate this week
City Magistrate Ann McLennan is set to make her ruling in a drug trafficking case on Wednesday next after the defence closed its case on Thursday last, at the conclusion of a three months trial in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.
Roger Gill
The case involves a miner- Roger Gill, of 103 Carmichael Street, North Cummingsburg, who was allegedly found with 426 grams of marijuana at his stall on Merriman’s Mall. It was found in a calabash on May 8, after the police received information and conducted a search. When the matter was called on Thursday, the Magistrate found that there was sufficient evidence against the defendant hence a prima facie case was made out.
Magistrate Mc Lennon then called on the accused to lead a defence. In doing so, the defendant, after seeking advice from his Attorney, Clive Forde, gave an unsworn testimony.
Gill told the court that he was innocent of the charge. He explained that on the day in question, the police searched his stall and found nothing but still arrested him, along with another person, who was subsequently released.
The defendant also called a witness to testify on his behalf. The witness swore to the court that he was telling the truth and came to testify because he was present when the police searched his friend’s stall.
The witness also testified that he had known the defendant for five years.
Attorney Forde submitted that the charge against his client should be dismissed because the prosecution had failed to prove their case.
He contended that the prosecution had failed to prove the elements of the offence and asked the court to consider that it represented doubt in the prosecution’s case against his client.
On the other hand, Police Prosecutor, Corporal Deniro Jones attested that he had proven his case beyond reasonable doubt, and as such the court should find the defendant guilty as charged.
Jones contested that every element of the offence was proven to indicate that Gill was indeed in control and had knowledge of the illicit substance. The Prosecutor also discredited the defence witness. Jones argued that the witness is a friend of the accused and could not be trusted.
The Magistrate documented the submissions in her book of minutes and informed the parties to return to court on August 12, for decision.
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