The highly anticipated trial of former junior energy minister Kern Spencer and two co-accused on money laundering and corruption charges, was Monday postponed in the Half-Way-Tree Resident Magistrate's Court.
SPENCER... disappointed that the trial was unable to get off the ground
The matter was postponed because of a change of lawyer on the part of defendant Rodney Chin and the unavailability of his lead attorney, Richard Small.
A Thursday mention date was set by which time a new trial date is expected to be agreed.
The third defendant in the matter is Coleen Wright, Kern's former executive assistant and supervisor at the Petroleum Corporation of Jamaica.
Following Monday's adjournment, Spencer - who appeared in court with a group of supporters from his North East St Elizabeth constituency - told reporters that he was disappointed that the trial was unable to get off the ground.
All three defendants were arrested and charged in February as a result of a criminal probe into the handling of a gift of four million Cuban light bulbs, which reportedly cost taxpayers
well over $100 million to be distributed.
Spencer is facing a charge of corruption under Section 14(1) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, and three counts of
money laundering.
Chin - the managing director of Universal Management Company and Caribbean Communications and Media Network Ltd - is facing one count of corruption under Section 14(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, and one count of money laundering, while Wright faces one count of corruption under Section 14(1) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, and four counts of money laundering.
If found guilty, all three could face up to five years behind bars.
Meanwhile, the defendants will not immediately face the more serious charge of conspiracy to defraud, which was separated from the current charges by the prosecution on July 31. The conspiracy to defraud charge will be revisited following the disposal of the current case against the three.
I just want the family of this precious little boy to know that i feel your pain and my heart goes out to you all. I currently live in London, England but use to live in the area. So many other people in London, England want to send you theit love also, these people include Warrel or better known to you as Goose from Sandside and his girlfriend Shirley from Baileys Vail. We all send our love. God bless you all richly, our prayers are with you all.
ReplyDeleteYour neighbour,
Annette Forrester
(I am the daughter of Forro who sells Kerosene oil at trinity).