LA Lewis freed over Portmore toll booth incident

The failure of the prosecution to mount a successful case today resulted in the acquittal of entertainer Horace 'LA' Lewis of breaches of the Toll Road Act in the St Catherine Parish Court.

It was highlighted in court that there were discrepancies in the matter and that the complainants were absent.

Parish judge Janelle Nelson-Gayle indicated that the Crown would not be successful to prove the matter in which Lewis was charged and discharged the case.

Lewis, who represented himself, thanked the judge after he was freed.

"I do believe that justice was serve here today. I am even more pleased as I defended myself in the matter, I truly feel like a leader now," Lewis said.

Allegations were that on April 30 last year Lewis drove through the toll plaza in Portmore, St Catherine twice without paying and damaged the barrier in the process.

He was arrested on a warrant at the Norman Manley International Airport and subsequently charged.

Lewis, who given $200,000 bail, had pleaded not guilty to one count of toll evasion and two counts of forcible damage to toll road property.

He previously pleaded guilty to one count of toll evasion and was fined $10,000.

- Rasbert Turner

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