News

'Commish' to testify

By FRANCINE BLACK, Staff Reporter

Commissioner Lucius Thomas - File

COMMISSIONER LUCIUS Thomas is expected to testify at yet another sitting of the extradition hearing for six men wanted by the United States on drug related charges next Wednesday.

In yesterday's court sitting, Reginald Grant, Assistant Commissioner of Police testified, while being cross-examined by Frank Phipps, defence attorney for Norris Nembhard, said that the Commissioner's office had received a letter from Nembhard and another from Phipps. Nembhard had testified at the last court sitting that he had written to the commissioner of police because he was consistently bothered by a policeman who threatened to have him extradited.

Grant also testified that the Commissioner has sent two response letters, one signed by commissioner Thomas who was then Deputy Commissioner in charge of crime, and the other signed by Deputy Commissioner Charles Scarlett who was then Assistant Commissioner and Staff Officer to the then Commissioner of Police Francis Forbes.

Phipps moved for the four letters to be submitted into evidence as part of his client's defence. However, Georgianna Fraser, prosecutor, objected to the evidence being admitted, noting that it was irrelevant to the extradition proceedings.

But Phipps argued that the letters were relevant to the proceedings because they made reference to what the Jamaican police had to say about his client during the period stated in the indictment.

Letters admissible

After listening to arguments from the defence and prosecution, presiding Resident Magistrate Martin Gayle ruled that the first two letters signed by Nembhard and Phipps were admissible as evidence, However, the letters signed by Thomas and Scarlett would not be accepted, and instead both men should come to court to testify on Wednesday.

The accused men ­ Norris 'Deedo' Nembhard, Vivian Dalley, 46; Corporal Herbert Henry, 46; Colombian barber, Luis Migel Arias; Robroy Williams and Glenford Williams ­ have all been in custody since April 21 and are wanted for conspiring to export cocaine to the United States between 1998-2004.

Patrick Bailey, who represents Herbert Henry, once again raised concerns about the food being provided at the Horizon Remand Centre. RM Gayle said he had communicated with some of the authorities, but he would try to get in contact with Major Richard Reese, Commissioner of Corrections, before Wednesday so he could have some information for him at the next court sitting.