Sherwin Evans, a 38-year-old vendor of River View, Ruimveldt, Georgetown, appeared yesterday before Acting Chief Magistrate Faith McGusty at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court charged with two counts of firearm and ammunition possession.
Evans pleaded not guilty to both charges.
It was alleged that on January 2 at River View, Ruimveldt, he had in possession one 9mm pistol and 3 live rounds of 9mm ammunition.
Attorney-at-law Stacy Goodings, who represented Evans, informed the court that her client has been in police custody in excess of the 72-hour holding period, no gun or ammunition was found in the possession of her client, and that her client has cooperated with the police from the beginning.
Goodings then enquired as to the reason why her client had to seek a medical before appearing in court, to which Evans replied that he was beaten and choked while in police custody, and then pointed to areas of his body where he had sustained injuries.
The attorney asked that these injuries be noted and that a copy of the medical be sent to her, remarking that in the past, the police have misplaced such documents pertaining to her cases.
The prosecution objected to bail citing the fact that the police had to pursue the defendant when they attempted to arrest him on the day of the offence, and that two officers were able to retrieve the firearm while in pursuit of the suspect and they positively identified Evans.
Goodings also inquired about the ballistics reports and if the police had tested for prints, to which the prosecution indicated that the investigation is still incomplete.
Given the extended period of time he was held in custody, coupled with his injuries, the magistrate granted bail the sum of $150,000 on each charge, totalling $300,000. He will also have to report to the Ruimveldt police station on the second and fourth Friday of each month.
The matter was adjourned to January 29.