(Jamaica Observer) In imposing the maximum sentence on Christopher ‘Dudus’ Coke, Judge Robert Patterson said the testimonies of two prosecution witnesses was credible enough and had been corroborated. The judge slapped Coke with the heavy sentence of 23 years despite pleas from Coke’s attorney Stephen H Rosen and Coke himself.
In his plea Coke said he could not pretend he had done no wrong but said the testimonies presented by the prosecution witnesses, Anthony Brown and Jermaine Coward, were false.
Coward and Brown had testified that Coke committed murders, extortion, beatings, drug trafficking and was the mastermind behind a visa racket.
The magistrate said he took into consideration letters from Coke’s community of Tivoli Gardens which spoke of his benevolence and charitable work as well as letters which pointed to his criminal activities which caused fear and destruction to residents.
Coke, who was dressed in prison garb, appeared subdued in court and sat silently as his sentence was handed down. His supporters, led by his aunt Angela Jackson, expressed disappointment at the long sentence.
Coke was held in June 2010 on the Mandela Highway in the company of clergyman Al Miller, who claimed he was taking the most wanted fugitive to the American Embassy in Liguanea.
He fled Tivoli Gardens after cops armed with an extradition warrant were involved in a fiery standoff with gunmen loyal to him. More than 70 persons were killed during the conflict. Six members of the security forces were also killed and police stations and service vehicles torched.
