Trial delayed as defence fails to disclose evidence

Belize City Magistrate’s Court was under heavy security this morning following reports of a planned attack against one of today’s defendants. That accused, identified as thirty-two year old Arthur Young, was in court to answer to charges of possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition. The prosecution was ready to start trial today but Young’s attorney, Ellis Arnold, strongly objected on the grounds that there had been no disclosure of the evidence against his client. As a result, Chief Magistrate Herbert Lord has adjourned the case until January tenth and ordered that all evidence be disclosed at least fourteen days prior that date. On October fifth, police say they searched a car in which Young was travelling and found a nine millimetre Ruger pistol and eleven bullets. During today’s proceedings, Young was granted bail of eight thousand dollars.

But his legal troubles weren’t over yet as the accused also appeared today with his alleged accomplice, Kenneth “Big Tom” Flowers, before Magistrate Margaret Gabb to answer to other charges, namely drug trafficking, keeping an unlicensed firearm and unlicensed ammunition. Gabb granted the duo bail of eight thousand dollars plus one surety for each defendant. In that matter, Young and Flowers were arrested after police say they found fifty-seven point two grams of crack cocaine, a nine millimetre Ruger handgun, and fifteen rounds of live ammo in a car on Sittee Street on November eleventh. That case has been adjourned until December twelfth.