Kacey Chapman, one of three men jointly charged with illegal possession of guns and ammunition, was yesterday told he would have to lead a defence to the charges, while his two co-accused were freed by a city court.
Chapman was charged alongside Sheldon Andrews, 24, and Adam McDonald, 30, with two counts of illegal possession of a firearm and two counts of illegal possession of ammunition.
It was alleged that on November 26th, 2018, at High and Princes streets, the three men had a .32 Taurus pistol in their possession while not being licensed firearm holders. It was also alleged that on the same date, they were in possession of a 9mm Glock pistol without being licensed firearm holders.
The two final charges stated that on November 26th, 2018, at High and Princes streets, the three defendants had in their possession 12 live 9mm rounds of ammunition and 7 live rounds of .32 ammunition, without being licensed firearm holders.
When the trial resumed before Magistrate Rondell Weaver yesterday in the Georgetown Magistrate’s Courts 8&9, Andrews and McDonald heard that there was insufficient evidence against them. The charges against them were subsequently dismissed. However, in relation to Chapman, the magistrate stated that enough evidence was found against him and told him to lead his defence on June 25th, 2019.
According to the prosecutor’s case, the firearms were found under the front seat of a car driven by Chapman. Andrews and McDonald were in the backseat at the time.
During the trial, all the witnesses, with the exception of one, told the court that Andrews and McDonald were seen outside of a car before ranks searched the vehicle and the firearm and ammunition were found. One of the witnesses stated that prior to the arrest of the trio, Andrews was walking along the street when he was stopped by a car and began engaging in a conversation with the driver of the car, who was later identified as Chapman.
It was also stated that McDonald was arrested after he was seen walking in the vicinity of the area after the firearm and ammunition were found.
During his arraignment, McDonald had stated that he left Linden to visit his aunt at East Ruimveldt and later received a call to meet his cousin on High Street. After leaving a bus, the accused stated that two policemen approached him and put him to lie on the ground. He said he was later shackled by his hands and feet and lifted by the two officers near a gas station where Chapman and Andrews were. There, McDonald stated, he was put to lie on the ground and when he asked what was going on he was slapped and kicked. The defendant added that he was asked if he knew Chapman and Andrews and he said no. McDonald had maintained that he was innocent of the charges.
