The Tribune

By LAMECH JOHNSON

Tribune Staff Reporter

ljohnson@tribunemedia.net

A LAWYER told The Tribune yesterday that there was no evidence to substantiate death threat claims made against a prosecutor or a murder charge against his client.

Murrio Ducille made the claim in response to prosecutors producing a written directive from the Attorney General’s Office to discontinue the prosecution against Tony Smith in connection with a 2012 murder.

“Our position is that there was no foundation for the (death threat) claims,” Mr Ducille said. “And it was highly prejudicial to a potential trial if there was one and from day one, our position was that there was no evidence at all against him to substantiate the charge of conspiracy to commit murder.

“I must say I commend the Attorney General for taking the right position and enter a nolle prosequi in the circumstances where it is warranted,” the lawyer added.

Smith, aka Jamal Penn, was scheduled to stand trial with Leroy Smith and Leslie Bowe in connection with the murder of Eugene Stuart on March 2, 2012.

The outcome had been foreshadowed last Wednesday during a bail hearing at which the Crown, notwithstanding claims that Smith threatened prosecutor Ms Darnelle Dorsett, backtracked on their initial objection to bail and implied the possibility that charges would be withdrawn against Smith.

Though the Crown can still bring back the charge if they wish, Mr Ducille told The Tribune it was unlikely. The lawyer also sought to dispel claims that his client is a gang leader.

“There’s absolutely no evidence to support that,” he emphasised, dismissing it as “noise in the market.”

“Right now, he just wants to get on with his life, notwithstanding the negative publicity that he has endured. And he doesn’t really entertain any bitterness. There’s no bitterness on his part, just accepting that it’s a part of life. And he has moved on.

“And I’ve advised him to forget about the past and just look at the future in a very positive way. He’s still a young man with a future ahead of him and he should approach it in a very positive and productive way and see what he can do to enhance the development of the society.”