The prosecution yesterday submitted that a case has been made out against Kwame McCoy in the gun-butting charge levelled against him and as a result urged that the court find him guilty as charged.
Having heard submissions from both defence and prosecution, August 7 has been set as the date for the court’s ruling in the matter.
In submissions yesterday, Prosecutor Denise Griffith-Jacobis said that the case against the defendant has been made out beyond reasonable doubt.
She asserted that the virtual complainant, Clifton Stewart, in his testimony during the trial had led evidence of being assaulted by McCoy which was substantiated by a medical certificate.
The prosecution argued that while the defence had challenged this evidence, it was not substantially discredited.
The prosecution argued that while the defendant’s firearm had been lodged with the police at the time of the incident, it does not automatically mean that he could not have committed the assault with another firearm.
Additionally, the prosecution advanced that the defence had brought no one during the trial who negated that the VC was assaulted.
In the circumstances, the prosecution argued that McCoy be found guilty of the charge levelled against him.
Senior Counsel Bernard De Santos who is representing McCoy closed the defence’s case on July 20.
Meanwhile, the other matter against McCoy where he is accused of unlawfully assaulting Natalia Ross has been fixed for September 19 for trial. The prosecution was ordered by the court to summon its witnesses for that date.
McCoy is the Office of the President (OP) press officer.
The allegation against him is that on October 25, 2011, he unlawfully assaulted Clifton 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. This matter too will be heard on September 19.
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) posters. It is alleged that during the argument, McCoy struck Stewart in the head with a gun and threatened him.
Meanwhile, on the said day, in the vicinity of Robb and Albert streets, McCoy and Ross 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 GPH, treated and sent away.
