Knowles bases his claims of being able to beat the U.S. justice system on assurances from his lawyers that the next set of appeals will take two to three years.
Knowles’ lawyers, Roger Minnis, PLP MP Philip “Brave” Davis and London-based QC Edward Fitzgerald, will try to get the Supreme Court to rule on Monday April 5, that Knowles’ extradition is “unconstitutional”.
The drug lord’s lawyers will present their arguments before Justice Hugh Small – Former Finance Minister in Jamaica’s Government.
Knowles’ appeal is based on a constitutional motion claiming that he acnnot get a fair trial in the U.S. and therefore it would be unfair and inhumane to extradite Knowles to Miami.
Apparently, lawyers will claim that public statements made about the drug lord’s alleged crimes by President Bush and U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell will prejudice Knowles’ trial in the U.S.
Foreign Affairs Minister, Fred Mitchell has reportedly declined to sign the extradition order because it s now under “appeal”.
A source told The Punch: “Certain big-shots don’t want Knowles extradited in case he calls their names in a Miami court. So, they are playing for time. They are hoping Bush will lose the November election and the new Democratic government will be more sympathetic toward the Bahamas government – as the Democrats always are – and the Knowles case will fade away.”
Source: The Punch
