– after complainant is no show
Office of the President (OP) press liaison Kwame McCoy was yesterday cleared of an assault charge that stemmed from him allegedly hitting a woman with his car.
Although one witness testified yesterday, Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry dismissed the case owing to a lack of evidence, after the virtual complainant, Natalia Ross, failed again to appear at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.
Ross was summoned last week to give testimony and to clarify a claim by McCoy’s lawyer that she no longer wanted to proceed with the matter. The magistrate noted Ross’s absence again yesterday in addition to several adjournments in the case and she dismissed the charge.
In the absence of McCoy’s lead lawyer, Senior Counsel Bernard De Santos, attorney Jaya Manickchand told the court that the case should be closed since the prosecution provided no evidence to suggest that McCoy was guilty of harming Ross. She added that it was the prosecution’s duty to explain why he was guilty of the said offence but there was no evidence to form a prima facie case.
It had been alleged that on October 25, last year, McCoy unlawfully and maliciously assaulted Ross, after they had an altercation over the placement of political posters. McCoy had allegedly jumped into his vehicle and struck down Ross, causing her actual bodily harm.
At yesterday’s hearing, Assistant Superintendent Delise Griffith-Jacobis, who was stationed at the Alberttown Police Station when the alleged assault occurred, did, however, testify before the case was dismissed.
She said mobile patrols along with other ranks under her command were required to report any incident that transpired during the election period.
According to Griffith-Jacobis, a “Corporal Jack” contacted her and informed her about a situation and she later proceeded to the female ward of the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPH), where she met Ross and took a statement from her. Ross’s mother and close friends were present when the statement was provided, she related.
Later, Griffith-Jacobis said, Ross and an aunt accompanied her to Robb Street, where the incident allegedly occurred. On arrival in Robb Street, she explained, Ross pointed out a number of empty shells on the ground.
On the northern half of Robb Street, she further noted, there were posters of President Donald Ramotar, who was at that time the presidential candidate, on lamp poles infested with termites.
The witness also said that people who witnessed the ordeal presented statements, and McCoy was later contacted by Divisional Commander George Vyphuis and told of the allegation.
