Jerome Roberts, one of the attorneys representing the Majors, indicated to Magistrate Linda Virgill that he made a request for the disclosure tapes for intercepted telephone calls.
He said the disclosure of the materials was crucial in the preparation of their case, adding that he was not sure the attorneys for the Requesting State accepted their duty of disclosure.
Francis Cumberbatch who represents the United States along with Garvin Gaskin said he was in receipt of a letter from Roberts asking that disclosure be made.
However, he said that he had just received the letter on October 15, highlighting that the court would appreciate the defendants were not involved in a domestic matter.
Mr. Cumberbatch said the letter requested that any materials which undermined the defence’s case be disclosed and for any statements made by former co-conspirators Beckett William Turnquest and Johnathan Cartwright that could be considered incriminating be handed over.
In addition, the defence also requested that any previous convictions that Turnquest and Cartwright might have had be noted.
It was also pointed out that both men had been indicted in the US along with the Majors, but they had opted to face the allegations and not go through with an extradition hearing.
Nonetheless, Cumberbatch said before he could respond on behalf of the US, he would have to contact them and get an official response. If the position of counsel is that we need to respond to the queries before the matter is proceeded with, then that is a matter for the magistrate to consider, Mr. Cumberbatch stated.
Mr. Roberts also indicated that he objected to the tendering of the bundle of documents on the basis that they had serious questions of the admissibility of the evidence.
Magistrate Virgill in her ruling questioned Mr. Roberts as to why he did not bombard the Attorney General’s office for the disclosure information, as he was fully aware of the date set for the start of the hearing.
The magistrate ruled that the bundles be tendered, as suggested by Mr. Cumberbatch.
As the defence was insistent for an adjournment for the abovementioned reasons, a January date was suggested for continuation.
However, Magistrate Virgill stated that she was displeased with the January date and reminded Mr. Roberts that his clients were in custody.
But Mr. Roberts also indicated that Queen’s Counsel, Keir Starmer, who had joined the legal team would not be available until January as he had a case set for November.
The magistrate stressed that the matter should be heard speedily, and warned “justice delayed is justice denied.”
A date of December 3 was set for the continuation of the hearing, because November was not convenient, as Mr. Major was schedule to undergo an operation and would need time to recover.
Magistrate Virgill indicated to the pair that they were before the court on a provisional warrant for extradition proceedings. Moreover she said that the proceeding was not a trial, but a hearing to determine whether there was sufficient evidence for the couple to be extradited. She advised the Majors that, at some point, they would be called upon to answer their case, as they are wanted to answer drug charges in the United States.
Also apart of the accused legal team are attorneys Langton Hilton and Willie Moss Jr.
By Jimenita Swain, The Nassau Guardian
