Colin Jones, who allegedly escaped from custody after his arrest in connection with the Health Ministry arson, had the charge against him dismissed for want of prosecution by Magistrate Leslie Sobers at the Providence Magistrates’ Court.
The matter, which had been repeatedly called, never saw the commencement of the trial as prosecution witnesses were continually absent from court to give evidence.
Jones’ attorney, George Thomas, later made an application for the matter to be dismissed.
Magistrate Sobers, who presided over the matter, had previously warned the prosecution that the court would be inclined to dismiss the matter if it failed to produce its witnesses for the commencement of the trial. It was against this backdrop that the lawyer’s request was granted.
The allegation against Jones was that on July 27, 2009, at the Providence Police Station, he, being a prisoner on a criminal charge of setting fire to the Ministry of Health building, escaped from lawful custody.
Jones was not required to enter a plea to the indictable charge.
Jones, however, remains a prisoner on a number of other indictable charges.
On December 2, 2010, Jones was arraigned on a barrage of charges and was sentenced to a total of eight years imprisonment over unlicensed firearm and ammunition offences as well as cannabis cultivation. The man was sentenced after pleading guilty to the offences.
Additionally, Jones was charged with discharging firearms, setting fire to a building, murder, and attempted murder. He continues to be a prisoner on these charges, for which he has not been required to enter a plea.
The defendant was jointly charged for these offences along with Randy Mars and Jafar Simpson.
Jones is accused of murdering Woodette Roberts, Adriana Tracey and Kurt Thierens, as well as setting fire to the Georgetown Supreme Court.
