The Tribune

By LAMECH JOHNSON

Tribune Staff Reporter

ljohnson@tribunemedia.net

POLITICAL activist Rodney Moncur, who will be defending himself against charges that he posted “grossly indecent” pictures on the internet, reiterated his request that case evidence be handed over to him.

Mr Moncur appeared before Magistrate Constance Delancy yesterday, expecting to receive the relevant documents from the police prosecution.

He did not receive them, and in response, reiterated his request in the form a letter to the magistrate, asking that the prosecutor comply with the judges order made on May 10.

A Preliminary Inquiry on August 15 and 16 will determine if there is enough evidence for the matter to be tried in Supreme Court.

Moncur faces a single charge of “committing a grossly indecent act”, alleged to have been committed between March 1 and March 29.

It is claimed that Moncur “intentionally and unlawfully” published a photograph of Jamie Smith, who was dead.

Last Friday, the 56-year-old Market Street resident and former DNA candidate for Bain and Grants Town, returned to Magistrates Court expecting his case to forwarded to the Supreme Court through a Voluntary Bill of Indictment.

However, during his return appearance before Deputy Chief Magistrate Carolita Bethell, he was told that the Attorney General’s Office decided to have a preliminary inquiry in the lower court.

Mr Moncur objected and said “justice is not being served”.

Magistrate Bethel told him it was the prosecutor’s right to decide where the case would be heard.

After a brief shouting match between the magistrate and Mr Moncur, and Moncur being threatened with ejection from court, Magistrate Bethell transferred the matter to Court 2.

Mr Moncur then appeared before Magistrate Delancy, who told him he did not have to enter a plea due to the nature of the charge.

He requested that his $7,500 bail be reduced because he was “being held prisoner by two nice women” who signed his bail.

He also requested that he be provided with the evidence that the prosecution has against him so he can “properly defend” himself.

Magistrate Delancy told Mr Moncur his bail would remain in place but she ordered the prosecution to release the evidence to Mr Moncur.