The Tribune

By LAMECH JOHNSON

Tribune Staff Reporter

ljohnson@tribunemedia.net

A MAN, accused of robbing another man of his cellphone at gunpoint, was unanimously acquitted yesterday by a Supreme Court jury of the three charges he faced.

Dominic Stuart faced a charge each of armed robbery, receiving and possession of a firearm with intent to commit an offence when standing trial before Justice Carolita Bethell.

Thomas Saunders, the complainant in the November 16, 2012 case, testified that he was going home in the Cable Beach area around 10.15pm when he saw two men standing not far from his apartment. He noted that the taller of the two was on the phone while the other approached and pulled out a firearm before snatching his cellphone.

Saunders attempted to take the gun from the man, but was not able to and the men fled.

Police witnesses testified to arresting the three accused the following day at Potters Cay Dock around 2am, where they discovered an imitation firearm and BlackBerry cellphone in McKenzie’s pocket. Stuart was in a car at the time of the arrest, but officers said they found nothing on him.

In cross-examination, it was revealed that the phone was never identified as belonging to the complainant and it was submitted that the imitation firearm could not be linked to any firearm.

On Monday, his co-accused, Akado Gibson and Stephen McKenzie were acquitted of their involvement in the incident at the direction of the court after legal discussions were held in the jury’s absence.

Gibson and McKenzie were defended by Murrio Ducille while Stuart was represented by Terrel Butler. Uel Johnson and Raquel Whyms prosecuted for the Crown.