Defence lawyer accused of trying to stall trial proceedings
Extradition hearing
Attorney-at-Law Darren Wade, who is representing former Guyana Police Force (GDF) rank Shawn Neblett in his extradition hearings, was accused of using a series of tactics in order to put a standstill on the proceedings, even after US Government Prosecutor Stacy Gooding closed the case against the accused three months ago.
Former GDF rank Shawn Neblett
Neblett is wanted by the United States Government for his role in the trafficking of 4178 grams of cocaine, which was found at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), Timehri, East Bank Demerara (EBD), on January 24, 2017. The drug was found in four parcels hidden in a suitcase.
When the matter was called before Principal Magistrate Faith McGusty in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Monday, it was further adjourned to April 8 after the defence attorney presented to the court that he filed an application for the matter to be heard and determined by acting Chief Justice, Roxane George in the High Court.
It was then that Prosecutor Gooding directed to the Magistrate that the attorney is using delaying tactics.
Neblett, of Community Lane, South Ruimveldt, Georgetown, was nabbed by local law enforcement officials in 2019 as he was attempting to flee to neighbouring Suriname. He had told the court that he was travelling legally to Suriname and had no knowledge that he was blacklisted until he was nabbed by immigration authorities and denied trying to flee the country.
The recent successful extradition of US fugitive Troy Thomas has paved the way for similar procedures for criminals hiding in Guyana. The now convicted man had fled to Guyana after allegedly killing Keith Frank, 20, a Guyanese, on December 11, 2011, at Richmond Hill, New York. He has also been accused of inflicting injuries upon Dr Katherine Maloney.
After a year of legal proceedings, High Court Judge, Justice Navindra Singh ruled on April 4, 2019, that there was sufficient evidence against Thomas to warrant his extradition to the US.
After being taken back to the US, Thomas was charged with second-degree murder.
