Two To Appeal NS Ganja Convictions

[Herb Fellow]

Two people found guilty in connection with 984 pounds of ganja that washed ashore in North Side last year will be appealing their conviction and sentence.
Jarrett Allen Daniels, 28, was sentenced to four years imprisonment on 2 April. Sheena–May Minzett, 32, received the same sentence in March.

Roberto Jackson, 27, was sentenced to two years imprisonment. Jamaican nationals Alburn Gauntlett and Geaton Al Kilborn received two–year sentences after admitting their roles in bringing the ganja from Jamaica in February 2007 (Caymanian Compass, 4 February 2008).

Dencle Vic Barnes, who also pleaded guilty, received a suspended sentence.

Jackson and Minzett were aboard the vessel Mount Zion on the night of 7–8 February 2007, when Cayman Helicopter occupants spotted the vessel less than a mile off Grand Cayman’s north coast.

The helicopter kept the boat illuminated and the Cayman Protector vessel caught up with it. When Jackson as captain refused to stop, the Protector swamped the smaller canoe–type vessel and it overturned.

The Cayman Protector crew rescued all five persons aboard: Jackson, Min– zett and the three men who pleaded guilty.

Daniels was not aboard the vessel, but Magistrate Grace Donalds found that he had made a voluntary statement admitting his presence at Morgan’s Harbour the night the Mount Zion departed from there.

Further, there was a record of telephone calls between Daniels’ number and the number of a co–accused who was aboard the vessel. Given no explanation fore the calls, the magistrate held that this was evidence Daniels was guilty of being concerned in the importation of ganja.

Howard Hamilton QC asked for Daniels to be granted bail pending his appeal. He was advised to make his application to the Grand Court.

Source: Caymanian Compass
Copyright: 2008, Caymanian Compass
Contact: Carol Winker, carol@cfp.ky
Website: Cayman Islands - Cay Compass News Online - Two to appeal NS ganja convictions