Complainants absent, Chen case thrown out
April 26, 2007
The frequent absence of the complainants in the criminal case against Jeremy Chen, general manager of Super Plus Food Stores, and four supervisors, resulted yesterday in the Director of Public Prosecutions entering a nolle prosequi (no proceedings) in the case.
When the case was mentioned in the Gun Court, Crown Counsel Tanya Burke told Justice Martin Gayle (acting) that the police said they went to the addresses where the two complainants were living and were unable to find them.
Case terminated
The case against the accused men was then terminated. If the witnesses turn up then the trial will proceed.
Attorneys-at-law Wentworth Charles, Kathryn Phipps and Norman Godfrey, who represent the men, had asked for a decision to be taken in the matter after trial dates were set and the complainants failed to attend court.
The men were charged in April last year in connection with the alleged beating of two employees. They were charged with illegal possession of firearm, robbery, wounding and assault at common law.
The other accused are Ryan Lindo, Garth Fagan, Fabian Foster, and Ainsley Henry.
Author: Gleaner Repoter
Source: Jamaica Gleaner
