Extradition hearing adjourned until Tuesday

The three Vincentian men facing possible extradition to the British Virgin Islands (BVI) will have to wait a little longer to find out if they will be set free or sent overseas, as their extradition hearing has been adjourned to Tuesday May 12th.{{more}}

On Tuesday, as the three, Dexter Chance, Gareth McDowall and Carlos Sutherland, were being escorted back to Her Majesty’s Prisons, where they are being held on remand, they were greeted by an emotional outburst by some members of the crowd.

Supporters of the men shouted obscenities at the police officers, while demanding the release of the men from captivity. One irate women got involved in a verbal confrontation with members of the Rapid Response Unit, who showed restraint as they left the area with the men.

Chance, also known as Dexter Michael, of Layou, McDowall, of Calliaqua and Sutherland of Lowmans Windward were arrested on Saturday April 25th 2009, during a series of sting operations executed by the police.

When the men appeared in court this week, the court learned that lawyer Joseph Delves is no longer a member of the defence team; he has been replaced by St. Lucian Alberton Richelieu with Kay Bacchus-Browne and Grant Connell rounding out the men’s representatives.

The prosecution is headed by Director of Public Prosecutions Colin Williams.

This week’s proceedings heard testimony from acting Director of the Financial Investigations Unit (FIU) Grenville Williams, Station Sergeant Coston Francis who is attached to the FIU and Sergeants Junior Simmons and Forster Scott.

One other prosecution witness was absent and is expected to give testimony when the case resumes next week.

BVI officials allege that Chance, McDowall and Sutherland imported 61.21 kilograms (135 pounds) of cocaine into Tortola between January 17th and 24th 2008, hence the reason for the execution request. (JJ)