The Tribune

By LAMECH JOHNSON

Tribune Staff Reporter

ljohnson@tribunemedia.net

THE trial of a woman accused of harbouring escaped murder convict Ormand Leon opened in Magistrate’s Court yesterday.

Leon, who is currently serving 41 years in prison for murder, pleaded guilty to the escape charge.

Sharlene Stubbs pleaded not guilty to the charge of harbouring a criminal during their arraignment in February.

Leon was sentenced to two years at the Department of Correctional Services for escaping police custody on February 2. At the time, Chief Magistrate Joyann Ferguson-Pratt said that if she had the power she would have imposed a harsher sentence.

Stubbs, meanwhile, was remanded into custody until trial despite no objection to bail by police prosecutor ASP Clifford Daxon.

ASP Daxon called the prosecution’s first witness yesterday, Supt Prince Charlton of the Drug Enforcement Unit told of his arrest of Stubbs on Wednesday, February 17, around 11.58pm.

“Acting on information, I, along with a team of officers went to a residence located at Firetrail Road west where we forced open a front door and met a male and female,” Supt Charlton said.

“The male named Ormand Leon was wanted by police for escape and in his company was a female whom I later found out to be Sharlene Stubbs. I asked her if she knew Ormand was a wanted person. She said yes,” the officer continued.

“Was this asked under caution?” the chief magistrate asked.

“Not at that time but as a result of her response, I arrested and cautioned her,” the DEU officer said.

Supt Charlton claimed that Stubbs further said that Leon “is my boyfriend.”

He said his involvement in the matter ended with Stubbs’ arrest.

ASP Daxon asked the officer about the set up of the property. The officer said it was a single story building some 30 feet from the road with a wall at the front and a surrounding chain-link fence.

“Did anything transpire before forcing the door open?” the prosecutor asked.

The officer said he had heard rumbling after knocking on the door.

Upon gaining entry, the officer said he observed Leon in boxer shorts and said Stubbs may have been wearing a nightgown.

“How’d they appear to you?” the chief magistrate asked.

“Both appeared shocked and afraid,” Supt Charlton said.

The judge asked: “Why did you inform that impression?”

“Just human reaction. Someone kick in the front door with flashing lights I’d be shocked too,” the officer said.

Stubbs, who is not represented at trial, suggested to the officer that she did not have on a nightgown.

“I had on a long black pants and a top,” the accused said.

“To me, it looked like pyjamas but you did have on some clothing,” the officer said.

Stubbs asked no further questions.

The case continues.