Bob Hodge, Carlton Beazer change lawyers!
The hearing was expected to start this morning, January 19, 2012 in the Magistrate's Court.
Crown Counsel Valston Graham told the court this morning that Earl ‘Bob’Hodge and Carlton Beazer have now secured the service of Orion Law Firm to represent them.
The Crown received a letter on January 5, 2012 from Hodge, Graham added, indicating his decision to change his counsel - Dr. J S Archibald. Hodge’s new lawyer will be Julian Knowles.
In relation to Beazer, his previous lawyer was Duane Jean Baptiste, who has left the jurisdiction. He will now be represented by Herbert Mc. Kenzie.
Meanwhile, legal representations for the other co-defendants Chad Skelton, Juan Valdez and Roberto Harrigan remain the same.
Therefore, as a result of the switch, McKenzie asked the court for an adjournment, which will allow for Knowles and himself to wade through the voluminous documents to become au fait with the case. Crown Counsel Graham was in support of the adjournment, and quickly added that he and the former Director of Public Prosecutions Terrance Williams were ready.
To this end, February 3 and 6, 2012 were agreed for the extradition hearing.
Since their arrest on August 24, 2011 at their respective homes, Hodge, Skelton, Beazer and Harrigan have captivated the Territory with their alleged shenanigans in evading the law in their drug operation that first caught the attention of law enforcement officers in 1998.
Apart from the conspiracy offence, the quartet is charged with conspiracy to import a controlled drug, while Hodge is also charged with the unlawful possession of a prohibited firearm, unlawful possession of explosives, one count of acquisition and possession of used proceeds of criminal conduct. In addition to that, he is facing four counts of being in possession of cocaine with the intent to supply and four counts of importation of cocaine.
Harrigan, a Customs Officer, is facing two counts of abuse of authority in facilitating the entry of persons for illegal purposes into the Territory, one count of acquisition and possession of used proceeds of criminal conduct and one count of criminal proceeds, and bribery by a public officer.
Additionally, Skelton and Beazer are both charged with one count of acquisition and possession of used proceeds of criminal conduct, four counts of being in possession of cocaine with the intent to supply and four counts of importation of the controlled drug respectively.However, these charges are pending in the Magistrate’s Court.
During a court hearing on August 27, 2011, Crown Counsel Valston Graham told the court that throughout the years Hodge and his alleged accomplices picked up some 4,518 kilogrammes of cocaine from airdrops in VI waters, with Beazer and Skelton allegedly assisting in the recovery of the illegal substance.
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