UPDATE: ‘Letty's' lawyer asks court to return travel documents
Hodge is now being represented by a new attorney, Patrick Thompson of McW Todman and Co along with her co-accused, Lucien Smith after her previous attorney had departed the Territory.
Hodge is being tried in conjunction with Smith, and is accused of conspiracy to import drugs; acquisition, possession or use of proceeds of criminal conduct; keeping a prohibited firearm; and unlawful possession of explosives.
When the duo appeared in court yesterday, June 28, 2013 Thompson made a formal request that Hodge’s travel documents be returned to her and stated that this would be the only adjustment to her current bail conditions.
A joint operation between the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force and U.S. law enforcement authorities on September 29, 2010 led to the alleged seizure of eight bales of cocaine totaling over 260 kilos on the south side of Norman Island.
It is alleged that two of the boats used to pick up the cocaine were registered to Smith. The Romney Park resident was then slapped with charges for conspiracy to import cocaine, importation of cocaine and unlawful possession of cocaine with intent to supply.
Thompson argued that Hodge had received her travel documents on several occasions in the past and had always returned to the Territory afterwards for court hearings. Senior Crown Counsel Valston Graham said the prosecution had no objections to this.
Senior Magistrate Tamia Richards told the prosecutor that she had had no difficulty with granting the request once the defendant's surety agreed. She also noted that she had received consent forms for the defendant to travel from the Crown in the past even before receiving the defendant's requests for the travel documents and found this strange.
Both defendants remain on bail and will return to court on September 25, 2013.
See previous story posted June 13, 2013:
‘Letty’ Hodge changes law firm
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – The Crown requested an adjournment in the Magistrate’s Court today June 13, 2013 after it was announced that Violet ‘Letty’ Hodge had expressed interest in a change of representation in her trial.
It was announced that the defendant will no longer be represented by Orion Law Firm in the matter and will instead be represented by MCW Todman & Co.
Hodge is being tried in conjunction with Lucien Smith, and is accused of conspiracy to import drugs; acquisition, possession or use of proceeds of criminal conduct; keeping a prohibited firearm; and unlawful possession of explosives.
Attorney at law Richard Rowe of Orion Law Firm asked to be removed as counsel after telling the court that Hodge had a preference for another lawyer who has since left the firm.
Hodge told the court she preferred the other attorney because he was the one that had started her case and also mentioned that she only received her documents from the firm on Wednesday. Hodge was previously represented by Herbert McKenzie.
A question was raised by the Magistrate about whether there would be a conflict in her new representation since both defendants would now be represented by the same law firm.
Senior Crown Counsel Valston Graham, who said there were four witnesses for the trial, said he did not see a conflict because the Crown’s intention is to try both defendants jointly.
Hodge was jointly charged with her husband Earl ‘Bob’ Hodge previously but local charges against Mr. Hodge were dropped by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) and he is now facing extradition requests from the US .
The matter was adjourned to June 28, 2013.
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34 Responses to “UPDATE: ‘Letty's' lawyer asks court to return travel documents”
dangerous that one has to protect themselves. If it's against the law to even have a gun, just what does
the government want people to do to protect themselves from real criminals anyway? Call a lawyer?
Do a rain dance? Invite Monty Python over to do an exhorcism? Invite the Governor over for tea and
crumpets? What in hell is going on there anyway?
Y m**** dont renew de man/s permit?