After two days of sufficiency hearings, High Court judge Madame Justice Margaret Ramsay-Hale ruled that attorneys Chal Misick and Melbourne Wilson and former Cabinet minister McAllister “Piper” Hanchell will have to stand trial in the Supreme Court.
The judge gave her decision with respect to two counts for Hanchell, two counts for Wilson and seven counts for Misick on Wednesday, but she returned to court on Thursday to rule on a particular indictment in relation to Misick who yesterday reported sick and was absent.
The three men must return to court on July 10, 2012.
Hanchell faces charges of conspiracy to defraud and conspiracy to receive bribes in relation to the Salt Cay development, while Wilson’s charges are for conspiracy to defraud and money laundering in connection with a condominium development at North West Point.
Misick’s indictments were for conspiracy to receive bribes, conspiracy to defraud and money laundering, all relating to the Dellis Cay project, the North West Point development, the Juniper Hole land sale in Middle Caicos, Joe Grant’s Cay and the purchase of a Gulfstream jet for his brother, former Turks and Caicos Islands Premier Michael Misick.
Judge Ramsay-Hale found that the evidence presented to her was sufficient for the accused to be tried before the Supreme Court on the allegations brought.
Misick was represented by UK-based barrister Colin Awlott, while Hanchell’s lawyers were Laura Maroof and Mark Fulford. Wilson’s lawyer was not present. The lead prosecutor was Andrew Mitchell, QC, who was assisted by Robert Rinder.
Source: Turks & Caicos Sun
