The prosecution expressed that they were ready to proceed on charges of drug possession against Joel Vanterpool. Photo: VINO/File

Crown Counsel Sara Benjamin related that the case was ready to proceed as one of the two officers concerned with the matter was present to officer testimony. She explained that the substance had already been tested.

Ms Benjamin told the court that the substance could not be located at the time but the officer would still give testimony in spite of this and it would be presented at a later date as evidence before the court.

The matter was brought to an unfortunate halt as Vanterpool’s attorney, Stephen Daniels, made what he termed a rare request for an adjournment as he expressed a conflict in time had arisen with another matter.

Previously, Ms Benjamin made a request for an adjournment when the matter was called before Magistrate Tamia Richards on October 3, 2012 citing the absence of notes of evidence from the file as well as the recent transfer of the case to her as reasons for the request.

Ms Benjamin had explained to the court that she received the files for the matter earlier in the day and indicated that another prosecutor, Mr Valston Graham, had previously been the lead on the case.

She further told the court that there were two officers to be called as witnesses in the matter.

Ms Benjamin made a request from the court for the notes of evidence in the matter since they were missing from her file; magistrate Richards agreed to comply with the request and stated that same will be shared with the defence as well.

The matter will now be called again on January 24, 2013.