The Tribune

By LAMECH JOHNSON

Tribune Staff Reporter

ljohnson@tribunemedia.net

TESTIMONY in yesterday’s session of the Marco Archer murder trial was preceded by the defending lawyer’s claim that the investigator in the case was threatening him.

Geoffrey Farquharson claimed that ASP Bernard K Bonaby, while looking for alternative parking on Bank Lane, had made “certain threats toward me with his cane and threatened to have my car towed.”

“It is a criminal offence to interfere with an attorney on his way to court. It is contempt of court!” the lawyer exclaimed.

“If it does happen again I’m going to have to seek recourse,” Mr Farquharson added.

Justice Bernard Turner noted that he was informed that there was an issue with Farquharson’s car.

Mr Farquharson replied that the threats occurred during that instance. However, he added, there was “further interference” with him during a 10-minute break by the court.

The judge made a note of the allegations before Mr Farquharson went onto say that his client, Kofhe Goodman, was experiencing a headache but would try to “soldier on.”

Kofhe Goodman, 37, of Yorkshire Drive, faces a murder charge, which he denies. It is claimed that between September 23 and 28 of 2011, he caused the death of Marco Archer, 11, who disappeared from Brougham Street and was found dead days later.

The case opened on April 19.

Sgt Kervin Jones was called to the witness stand to give evidence.

Jones said on September 29, 2011, he went to the Accident and Emergency section of the Princess Margaret Hospital where he saw and spoke with Dr Leo Ignacio and a fellow officer.

He collected a tube of blood that was taken from Tryphemia Ferguson-Meadows before packaging the items and delivering to the police forensic lab for analysis on the following day.

In cross-examination, Mr Farquharson suggested to the officer that a request for an analysis form must be accompanied with a cover letter noting certain details.

Jones, however, said it was not so, as his general report was accepted as a cover letter and the sample handed over to the lab.

The defending attorney asked the officer again if a cover letter was required and Jones agreed that it was required, but he maintained he did not need one as his report sufficed.

The trial resumes today.

Garvin Gaskin, Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions, with Neil Braithwaite and Darell Taylor, are prosecuting the case.