Patrick Powell has a case to answer, judge rules
KINGSTON, Jamaica — Parish judge Vaughn Smith this morning ruled that businessman Patrick Powell has a case to answer after his attorney made a no-case submission in the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court, where he is on trial for allegedly failing to hand over his licensed firearm to the police for inspection.
Powell’s attorney, Deborah Martin, argued that her client had a right to silence, and a right to not incriminate himself, however the judge upheld the crown’s argument.
The judge also ruled on an application by Martin for three witnesses to be called.
He upheld the request for the three witnesses — Assistant Commissioner of Police Elan Powell, Inspector Berthland Reynolds and Superintendent Frank Buchanan — who were previously scrapped by the prosecution, to give evidence.
Judge Smith agreed with Martin that it would be in the best interest of justice to hear their evidence.
Tanesha Mundle