The defence yesterday closed its case in the trial of Office of the President (OP) Press Officer Kwame McCoy, who is charged with gun-butting a man last October.
Senior Counsel Bernard De Santos, in his address to the court, challenged the credibility of the prosecutions’ witness and pieces of evidence advanced during the trial.
De Santos argued that the investigation of the matter was unacceptable. He said that while the virtual complainant Clifton Stewart had alleged that McCoy had gun-butted him, the medical certificate presented to the court did not substantiate such an injury, since it spoke only of “mild swelling.”
Counsel argued too that at the time of the alleged incident, McCoy’s gun was lodged with the police, which was corroborated by a police witness who testified for the prosecution.
De Santos advanced that if his client were in possession of a gun at the alleged time, it would have been an illegal and unlicensed weapon. He added that if that were the case, McCoy would then have been accordingly charged. Ho noted, however, that no such charge was instituted.
The lawyer also reiterated his client’s claim that he is consistently being “targeted because of his political affiliations.”
The matter will be called again on July 24 for the prosecution to respond to the defence’s submission.
McCoy has been arraigned on two counts of causing actual bodily harm and one count of threatening language. The allegation against him is that on October 25, 2011, he unlawfully assaulted Stewart and Natalia Ross.
Meanwhile, on the same day, he is alleged to have made use of threatening language to Stewart; thereby resulting in a breach of the peace.
McCoy has since denied the charges and has been admitted to self bail.
Yesterday’s hearing dealt with the matter relating to Stewart.
According to reports, the altercation between McCoy and Stewart stemmed from an argument on D‘Urban Street, Lodge in relation to the removal of A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) campaign posters. It is alleged that during the argument, McCoy struck Stewart in the head with a gun and threatened him.
Meanwhile, on the same day, in the vicinity of Robb and Albert streets, McCoy and Ross, 22, had an altercation pertaining to the placement of political posters in the area. At some point during the altercation, McCoy allegedly jumped into his vehicle and struck down Ross, who was taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital, treated and sent away.
