A city magistrate yesterday handed down a 48-month sentence to Seion Odinga Brammer, who was on trial for possession of marijuana for the purpose of trafficking.
The charge against Brammer stated that on May 13, at Eighth Avenue, Diamond Housing Scheme, he had in his possession 464 grammes of cannabis for trafficking. During the court proceedings before Magistrate Judy Latchman, Police Prosecutor Shawn Gonsalves cross-examined Linda Brammer, the mother of the defendant.
Subsequent to the prosecutor’s cross-examination, Magistrate Latchman presented the basis for her ruling. The magistrate said she disbelieved that the defendant resided in the back house, as claimed by Brammer and his mother in their testimonies. She further stated that Linda Brammer was a witness of convenience and she would not act on her evidence.
It was on these grounds, she stated, that the court was satisfied that the defendant had control, knowledge and possession of the narcotic for the purpose of trafficking and was guilty of the offence. When Brammer was asked if he would like to say anything, he responded that he had nothing to say because she still wasn’t going to believe him.
Prior to sentencing the defendant, Magistrate Latchman said she took into consideration the mitigating factors, the fact that the drugs were concealed, the prevalence of the offence and the need to prohibit others from committing the offence.
Brammer was then sentenced to 48 months imprisonment and fined $30,000.
