Kartel's defence cries foul

Defence lawyer Tom Tavares-Finson yesterday raised concerns at the murder trial of entertainer Vybz Kartel that a computer expert for the defence was detained by the police on Wednesday and items to assist the defence were seized by the police.

However, Director of Public Prosecutions Paula Llewellyn, assured the court that no items were seized.

She said when she heard Tavares Finson on the radio complaining about the arrest of their expert, she called the police officer in charge of the Organised Crime Investigation Divison about the matter. She said Senior Superintendent Clifford Chambers said he was not aware that the man - Philpott Martin - was associated with the defence team.

"I told him, out of an abundance of caution, to stand down that investigation," until the Kartel murder tiral was completed.

Nothing taken from Martin

Llewellyn said Chambers told her that Martin was simply asked to accompany the police and nothing was taken from him.

Tavares-Finson said Martin was detained on a warrant by Inspector Warren Williams, who had testified this month at the trial. He said that Martin's detention would "inevitably affect the defence".

He said the police took from Martin a statement and a DVD containing material relevant to the cross-examination of Detective Sergeant Patrick Linton, former head of the Cybercrimes Unit.

The disclosure was made in the presence of the jury, but Justice Lennox Campbell said he would to tell the jury that what was said about Martin did not concern them.

Meanwhile, during cross-examination, lead prosecutor Jeremy Taylor objected to the line of questioning, saying it appeared that Tavares-Finson was making an address to the jury.

Linton was questioned about his Facebook account as well as surfing on the internet.

"You are a very active computer surfer. You love to surf about people, especially Adijah Palmer (Kartel)? Are you obsessed with this man?

Linton responded "obsessed is a strong word counsel."