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DPP Paula Llewellyn
The murder case against Michael Coke, the son of Christopher "Dudus" Coke and his six co-accused has been suspended.
Justice Leighton Pusey on Thursday morning accepted a conditional nolle prosequi application made by the Director of Public Prosecutions to suspend the matter on the basis that witnesses cannot be located.
Based on the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions' application, if the witnesses are found, the case can be brought back in court.
On Wednesday, Justice Pusey had challenged the application stating that he wanted to ensure that any constitutional provisions exercised in court are used in a manner that is fair.
He insisted that he wanted to hear legal arguments from defence attorneys and the prosecution as to why he should accept the application.
However, when the matter was called up Thursday morning, things took an about-turn.
Prior to accepting the conditional nolle prosequi, Justice Pusey said the court was aware of the DPP's powers and there was no need to have defence attorneys and the prosecution make submissions.
Michael Coke, Andrew Coke, Lanchester Coke, David Biggs, Delmarco Cephas, Iesha Jones and Wayne Page are charged in connection with the murder of 31-year-old Patrick Davis.
They are also charged with participating in a criminal organization.
It was reported that in March 2018, Mr. Davis, the alleged leader of the Screamers Gang was abducted in Arnett Gardens, Kingston and killed.
His body was dumped in Rockfort, East Kingston.
DPP
On Thursday, Director of Public Prosecutions Paula Llewelyn said it is unfortunate that the state's main witnesses could not be found.
She said the police should have informed the prosecution earlier.
The court was told on Wednesday that one of the witnesses had been missing for almost four months.
Furthermore, she noted that the witnesses and accused are from the same location, which "from time to time may have disturbances...which may make the environment unstable."
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