Police making mockery of judicial system – Berbice Magistrate

Berbice Magistrate Rhondell Weaver has accused Police ranks in Berbice of making a mockery of the judicial system.
As the Magistrate dismissed a trafficking narcotics case involving taxi driver Devansh Reshiram following the evidence given by Police witnesses at the Fort Wellington Magistrate’s Court, she ruled that the Police had attempted to deceive the court on what had transpired by withholding evidence.
The Police had claimed that the 20-year-old Reshiram, of 38 Palmyra Village, East Canje Berbice, had in his possession 22 pounds of cannabis for the purpose of trafficking; but based on the evidence presented in court, Magistrate Weaver said, she is of the view that the Police were out to provide false information to the court.
During the trial, the prosecution had contended that Reshiram was standing next to his car when a Police patrol, acting on information, approached him and found the marijuana in his car.
It was also revealed that, acting on information, two other men, Delroy Christophe and Dean Grenville, had been intercepted at a Police road block at Fort Wellington and had given information on the whereabouts of Reshiram.
During the trial, Reshiram claimed that two men had given him the bags to drop at Abary, and he had seen the Police and stopped.
Constable Latchmansingh, who had been the chief prosecution witness, told the court he was in company of two other Police officers when Reshiram was arrested. However, under cross-examination by Defence Attorney Joel Edmond, he admitted that two other men had been arrested in connection with the illegal substance, but they had later been sent away by a senior Police officer.
Constable Latchmansingh also admitted under cross examination that Senior Superintendent Edmond Cooper was the person who had arrested Reshiram. However, in his evidence in chief, he made no mention that it was the Senior Superintendent who had arrested Reshiram.
According to Magistrate Weaver, the Police had attempted to deceive the court on what had transpired, and to make a mockery of the judicial system.
“He told the court he was given the bag to take to Abary by two men who jumped into another car and went ahead. At Plantation Hope he received a phone call from one of the men, and (was) told to wait where he was.” It was shortly after that (call) that Senior Superintendent Edmond Cooper came to him and identified himself.
“Reshiram also said in his evidence he saw the Police coming from about five lantern posts away.
In dismissing the charge against Reshiram, Magistrate Weaver said that if Reshiram had had anything to hide, he could have fled when he saw the Police approaching.
She also noted that evidence during the trial revealed that the other defendants were sent away, and not charged.
The magistrate added that the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) had sent the case file back to the Police with instructions that they conduct a further investigation before sending it back to the chambers for further advice. However, Police did not do that, but rather went ahead and charged Reshiram.
“The Police must come to court with clean hands,” she said.
Meanwhile, the Police are expected to prepare and send it to the DPP a file in relation to the Police officers whom the Magistrate believes had tried to deceive the court.