Attorney for Antigua-Barbuda's DPP to seek dismissal of fraud case

 

Attorney Hugh Wildman, who is representing Antigua and Barbuda's Director of Public Prosecutions, Anthony Armstrong, says he is willing to do all he can to have his client vindicated of criminal charges.

 

Mr. Wildman made the remarks on Tuesday afternoon in the Kingston and St. Andrew Parish Court after Judge Venice Blackstock Murray denied the application to stay proceedings against his client.

 

Mr. Armstrong is charged with three counts of forgery, three counts of uttering a forged document, conspiracy, and three counts of fraudulent conversion in relation to the sale of properties.

 

Prior to denying Mr. Wildman's application, the judge concluded that there are issues that must be ventilated in a trial where the facts can be determined.

 

The judge also ruled that Mr. Armstrong is not a flight risk and that his passport should be returned.

 

But Mr. Wildman is to make submissions on January 5 to have the fraud charges against Mr. Armstrong discharged. 

 

Speaking after the court proceedings, the attorney said while the judge "is of the view that the application for an abuse of process would not be accommodated", she is prepared to "entertain application for dismissal of the case".  

 

"We have no difficulty with that because... going this route of having the case dismissed may turn out to be even more advantageous for us because once we are able to have the charge dismissed based on insufficient evidence or lack of evidence, then there are other consequences that will fall in our favour, which I will not speak about now," Mr. Wildman declared.