Faulty evidence frees baker of gun charges

Barbara Gayle, Staff Reporter

A prosecutor has been commended by Supreme Court judge Sarah Thompson-James for the decision he took in conceding to a no-case submission in the Gun Court.

The judge, in commending Crown Counsel Greg Walcolm, described him as being fair, honest and balanced.

Justice Thompson-James made the comments after she freed 37-year-old baker Desmond Anderson, of McGregor Gully, Kingston 3, who was represented by defence lawyer Vincent Wellesley.

Wellesley had submitted at the end of the Crown's case that Anderson should not be called upon to answer to the charges of illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition because of major discrepancies and inconsistencies in the Crown's case.

Wellesley pointed out that one policeman said the firearm was found behind a wardrobe, while the other said it was found behind a dresser in the room. He said one policeman said the paint pan with the ammunition was found at the foot of the bed, while the other said it was found behind the wardrobe.

Walcolm conceded that there was no case after hearing the submissions.

The Crown led evidence that in November 2009 the police went to Anderson's house and found a rifle and 172 rounds of ammunition in a paint pan. It was reported that the rounds of ammunition, which are used in M16 rifles, were valued at $500,000.