Trial of convicted drug trafficker…Magistrate rules Police handwriting analyst competent

Oct 06, 2017 Court Stories, Features / Columnists

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Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan yesterday ruled that Police Corporal Ameer Mohamed, a handwriting analyst, is deem competent and that she is satisfy beyond reasonable doubt that he is experienced in the field of handwriting analyst and for that reason the court will allow his evidence into the trial.

Corporal Mohamed is the last witness in the trial of Denis Jones, who is accused of attempting to smuggle 22 pounds of cocaine to Canada through the Guyana Post Office Corporation (GPOC).
The defendant is being represented by Attorney-at-Law Eusi Anderson, who on the last occasion told the court that the police witness does not possess the minimum qualifications to be deemed competent.
The lawyer is of the view that Corporal Mohamed needs a lot more qualifications and experience to develop his competence in handwriting analysis.
Corporal Mohamed, when called by Customs Anti Narcotics Unit (CANU) Prosecutor, Konyo Sandiford, to give his evidence, yesterday, said that he is stationed at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Headquarters, Eve Leary, Georgetown. He said that he has been attached to the Handwriting Section for the past three years.
Mohamed said that on January 31, last, he received a sealed yellow envelope from a police officer marked J12017CA which contained two statements which had the defendant’s signatures.
Mohamed said that after he received the statements he carried out a side by side examination and comparison on the statements using magnification and light.
He said that based on his examination and comparison he found a number of both general and personal identifiable handwriting features, which include letters formation, strokes, connecting of letters and writing speed.
The court heard that where the signatures of Denis Jones appear on the statements, when compared to what was on the form in his opinion all was written by the same author.
Mohamed said that after he had finished examining and comparing the documents he made a large photocopy of the identifiable handwriting features.
Under cross examination by defence counsel, Corporal Mohamed was asked a series of questions by the defendant attorney, Anderson.
When asked by the attorney how many specimens of handwriting he received from his client the Corporal said less than five.
He was then asked how many specimens are normally collected from an accused and he said ten.
The lawyer then added that the fewer the specimen, the more likely his professional opinion would be less accurate.
When asked why he was the only person to analyze his client’s handwriting when normally he should have consulted with other police officers, the witness said that he did not need help because the handwriting was very simple and straight forward.
Denis Jones, 63, of Lot 239 Caneview Avenue, South Ruimveldt, Georgetown is on trial again, this time, for allegedly attempting to smuggle 22 pounds of cocaine out of Guyana in Banko Wine and baking powder via the GPOC.
It is alleged that on January 20, at the GPOC, Jones had 10.618 kilograms of cocaine in his possession for the purpose of trafficking.
According to reports, Jones, who was convicted in 2012 for drug trafficking, was arrested shortly after he attempted to ship cocaine in baking powder and Banko Wine to Toronto, Canada.
Ranks from CANU intercepted a box containing the prohibited substance.
Jones is also facing forgery charges. It is alleged that between September 1 and September 30, 2016, with intent to defraud; he forged a Republic of Guyana identification card in the name of Josiah Jones, purporting to show that same was issued by the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM).
He is on trial before Senior Magistrate Fabayo Azore.
The police prosecutor is contending that the identification card was found in Jones’s home and that he confessed to forging the document.
It was also noted by the prosecutor that GECOM has no records of issuing that identification card.
Based on reports, Dennis Jones was deported from the USA for a drug trafficking offence.
In 2012, Jones was sentenced to four years in jail after pleading guilty to attempting to ship 300 kilograms of cocaine in a container of soap powder to Niger Republic in Africa.
Jones was arrested on November 29, 2012 after attempting to ship the narcotics from the John Fernandes Limited terminal at Mandela Avenue, Georgetown.
Back then, the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) had said that the drug had an estimated street value of US$10M.
During that arraignment, the court was told that Jones is an exporter and that he turned up at the terminal to ship a 20-foot container of Breeze brand soap powder.
But during an examination of the shipment, it was discovered that several packets which had the brand label were packed with cocaine concealed in a transparent plastic within.
The trial is scheduled to continue on October 17.

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