Headlines:
| Lawyers demand more details on charges against Kern Spencer and co-accused |
|
|
| Wednesday, 26 March 2008 | |
 Defence
attorneys representing Former Junior Energy Minister Kern Spencer, Coleen
Wright and Rodney Chin, on Wednesday raised strong objections to not being
provided with documents outlining the charges against their client. This is on the first day back in court for the three accused in the Cuban Light Bulb case. Lead attorney Patrick Atkinson fired the first salvo in Court Wednesday. "No statements were given to us and they get an additional six to seven weeks and God knows what will happen between now and then," said Mr. Atkinson. "I don't accept that this case is being treated like any other case because I have represented many people, many times and I don't find that after a month the DPP is just walking in and asking for six more weeks at this stage. Why was this case referred to the DPP in the first instance?" "I think it [six weeks] is too long because there are a lot of rumours flying around, a lot of comments being made through the media about this case and no one has seen one statement...they need to give us what statements they have so we can know what the allegations are," he continued. Earlier Director of Public Prosecutions Paula Llewelyn had requested a six week break before the next mention date. According to Miss Llewelyn lead investigator Senior Superintendent Fitz Bailey requested additional time to copy and catalogue the reams of paperwork associated with the fraud and corruption case. Miss Llewelyn told Resident Magistrate Glen Brown that her office had no intention of withholding any paperwork and was committed to full disclosure in all aspects of the case. At the same time the Magistrate said he needed to give the Prosecution the time requested and then take it from there. Resident Magistrate Brown then ordered that the accused return to Court on May 16. The former Junior Minister along with his former executive assistant Coleen Wright and businessman Rodney Chin were arrested and charged on February 26 in connection with the Cuban Light Bulb project. They are accused of conspiracy to defraud as well as breaches of the Money Laundering and Corruption Prevention Acts All three had their multi-million dollar bonds extended Wednesday. Meanwhile, Rodney Chin is now free to travel overseas before his next court date. In her submission, attorney representing Mr. Chin, Valerie Neita-Robertson argued that her client had to travel frequently overseas to conduct business. Mrs. Neita-Robertson said prior to his arrest last month, Mr. Chin was in the United States. The attorney said on his return Mr. Chin handed over all travel documents including his American passport to the investigators. Mrs. Neita-Robertson argued that her client was not a flight risk, had co-operated fully with the police and should be allowed to travel. In granting the request, Resident Magistrate Brown said Mr. Chin should write to the Clerk of Court. Mr. Chin has been ordered to surrender the travel documents once he returns to Jamaica. |