More charges tumble in Uchence Gang trial

The alleged criminals in the Uchence Wilson Gang trial continue to have the weight of several charges against them lifted, as Chief Justice Bryan Sykes again freed another one of allegations on Monday.

As he has been doing for the past week, in his summation, Sykes highlighted major deficiencies in the prosecution’s case against the men on charges that have been brought against them.

On Monday, Sheldon Cripps was found not guilty of being part of a criminal organisation and facilitating a serious offence by a criminal organisation.

The chief justice said that the identification evidence provided by both Crown witnesses was insufficient to convict him on the charge.

The Crown’s witnesses had hiccups in positively identifying Cripps as participating in the criminal activities for which he was charged.

Cripps denied being part, or having knowledge, of the gang.

Six other accused gang members were acquitted of additional charges on Monday but could not walk free because they have other verdicts pending.

Sykes is expected to continue his summation of the case today.

With Cripps now freed, there are now 15 remaining accused waiting on verdicts from other charges.

Sykes is expected to complete the process by Wednesday.

The accused are on trial for breaches of the Criminal Justice (Suppression of Criminal Organisations) Act 2014, commonly known as the Anti-Gang Legislation, between 2015 and 2017.

The Crown alleges that the gang racked up $400 million in booty between 2015 and 2017.