The long-awaited file on the trio accused of kidnapping the daughter of Pike Street businessman Beharry ‘Natoo’ Dookie was on Thursday released from the Chambers of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) and presented before Acting Chief Magistrate Melissa Robertson at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court, some hours after the case had been called initially.
Prosecutor Edmon Cooper informed the court that based on the advice received from the DPP, a new charge of failing to provide information to police will be instituted shortly against Tyronne Solomon, one of the defendants in the matter. The trio was subsequently further remanded to prison and the PI is fixed to begin today.
Tensions heightened among the defendants and their attorney-at-law Mark Waldron as the prosecutor stood on the fifth occasion and informed the court that the file was still at the DPP’s Chambers awaiting advice.
Addressing the court, Waldron stated that, “after five independent opportunities being given the prosecution and still no file to present to the court shows clearly the prosecution’s lack of evidence in this matter.”
The attorney noted also that neither the virtual complainant (VC) in the matter nor a representative had ever considered it fitting to attend court.
He then made an application that the charge against the defendants especially Solomon be discharged since he knows nothing about the matter.
According to Waldron, “the only crime that he, [Solomon] is guilty of committing is being a resident of Stevedore [Housing Scheme Squatting Area].” In explaining what he meant by this, the lawyer said that the only reason Solomon had been taken into custody and charged by the police was because of the simple fact that he is an acquaintance of the other two accused. Stressing that Solomon had nothing to do with the incident, he said, “this is totally unfair My Worship.”
An apologetic Cooper then stood and expressed to the court how sorry and embarrassed he was that after five occasions he still was not in a position to present the file to the court.
“We are indeed embarrassed My Worship, but the DPP still has the file,” he said.
Cooper then asked the magistrate for one more chance and a final date to be able to have the file. This request by the prosecutor was however forcefully opposed by Waldron who said, “for the past five occasions, another chance has always been the prosecution’s request, but to no avail.”
The defence lawyer reiterated that for the prosecution to say time after time that they still don’t have the file is utter nonsense. He added that the main fact the defendants had been standing before a magistrate and instituted with a charge shows that initially advice was sought from the DPP. “It is not fair for my clients to be pining away in prison when all the prosecutor says is the file is still awaiting advice from the DPP,” Waldron said.
Waldron indicated that he would prefer the matter to be put down for two hours so that Cooper could go to the DPP’s Chambers to uplift the file.
After some three hours, Cooper returned and informed the court that he had collected the file from the DPP’s Chambers. He then informed the court of the additional charge to be brought against Solomon.
The allegation is that between August 28 and 29 at Stevedore Housing Scheme Squatting Area, East La Penitence, France Prince, a 23-year-old mechanic of Lot 3 East La Penitence; Sivon Warner, 27, of Tucville Government Ground and 22-year-old Tyronne Solomon of 3440 Jacksonville Street, North Ruimveldt, unlawfully confined Rorhema Dookie with intent to hold her for ransom of $40 million.
They were not required to plead to the indictable joint charge of unlawful confinement for ransom when it was read to them by the acting chief magistrate.
