By Lorraine Walker
A man, who previously pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving, is to be sentenced next month after the Supreme Court refused his application to change his plea.
Christopher Gordon was accused of causing death by dangerous driving in relation to a May 6, 2021 crash in which a woman was mowed down by the vehicle he was driving.
Verona Nelson died in the incident near Andrews Memorial Hospital on Hope Road, St. Andrew.
Christopher Gordon pleaded guilty on March 12 last year to causing death by dangerous driving.
But six months later, on September 25, he filed an application asking the court to use its discretion and allow him to change his plea from guilty to not guilty and that the matter be set for trial.
Mr Gordon argued, among other things that his guilty plea was equivocal and involuntary, as he did not appreciate the elements of the offence to which he pleaded guilty.
He also indicated that he was subject to such pressure that there was no genuinely free choice between guilty and not guilty.
His application also indicated that he was not properly advised on the implications of such a plea and its effects on his livelihood.
The applicant also argued that, if the guilty plea is accepted, he would be deprived of a good and reasonable defence with a high likelihood of success, which would breach his constitutional right to a fair trial.
In considering the application, Supreme Court Judge Justice Lisa Palmer Hamilton ruled that Mr Gordon's plea was unequivocal and voluntary, and there was nothing to suggest that he did not appreciate the elements of the offence to which he pleaded guilty.
Justice Hamilton also ruled that there would be no breach of his constitutional right to a fair trial as at the time of his guilty plea; that he was aware of the nature and particulars of the offence.
Mr Gordon is to be sentenced on May 30.
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