The Tribune

By LAMECH JOHNSON

Tribune Staff Reporter

ljohnson@tribunemedia.net

THE appeals of two men contesting their conviction for conspiring to rob a John Bull retail store will be heard separately in the Court of Appeal.

Justices Anita Allen, Abdulai Conteh and Neville Adderley suggested that the appeals be heard separately because of matters relating to transcripts. This was not opposed by appellants Jonathan Armbrister and David Collins.

The judges were of the view, based on the documents filed with the court, that defence attorneys did not need to go through six months of transcripts with pages numbering in the thousands, to argue the core of the appeals.

Armbrister’s attorney, Jerone Roberts, informed the court that he was prepared to argue the appeal on behalf of his client with only the rough transcripts and summation transcripts.

This was not the case for Geoffrey Farquharson, who represents Collins.

As a result, Armbrister’s substantive hearing will be held first, on April 7, and Collins’ will be held on April 24.

On October 31, 2012, a nine-member jury delivered verdicts on charges of conspiracy to commit armed robbery, armed robbery, and other charges related to the May 2011 jewellery theft.

Both Armbrister and Collins were found guilty of conspiracy to commit armed robbery.

Jurors found Armbrister guilty by a count of 7-2, while they were split 6-3 on Collins.

Both men were found not guilty of armed robbery while Collins was also found guilty of causing damage and receiving.

Armbrister and Collins were sentenced to 25 and 20 years in prison respectively, however both have applied to challenge their conviction and sentence.

Next month, the two are scheduled to be retried with Collins facing a charge of armed robbery and receiving and Armbrister a charge of receiving.