Witness charged with contempt of court, sentenced to eight days in jailBy Monique Washington
A witness in the armed robbery trialof Lawton Forbes has refused to give evidence and stalled the prosecution’s case. During the initial stages of the trial, held in Justice Lorraine Williams courtroom, Kieona Daniel, the first witness for the prosecution was sentenced to eight days in Her Majesty’s Prison in St. Kitts for contempt of court.
In 2014, Forbes, a Hamilton resident,was charged with armed robbery. It is alleged that he robbed the X-Petrol gas station in Camps Village,Nevis, at gun point. The matter was traversed from the November high court assizes. Forbes was granted bail, but subsequently arrested and charged for attempted murder, possession of an illegal firearm, possession of ammunition and smuggling of an illegal firearm into the Federation.
On March 4, a shooting incident occurred near the Octagon Barin Charlestown. Forbes was seen throwing a weapon into the bushes, stopped by the police in the Ramsbury area and charged.
On Monday, Forbes sat in the accused box prepared for his trail in the courtroom of Justice Williams. Kieona Daniel, a former X-Petrol employee,was the first witness called by the prosecution. Daniel refused to answer simple questions like, “Is your name Kieona Daniel?” and “Where do you live?”
Justice Williams asked Daniel if she was scared or had been threatened. She answered, “No.”
In 2014, Daniel gave a statement to the police and later testified at Forbes’ Preliminary Inquiry.
Justice Williams called a recess in the trial while she spoke with the attorneys in her chambers. The prosecution, led by Dane Hamilton, asked the court to treat Daniel as a hostile witness.
The trial resumed a few minutes later and Justice Williams warned Daniel what the consequences would be if she was treated as a hostile witness. Daniel replied to the justice in a hostile way.
In accordance with provisions set forth in Section 51 of the Criminal Procedures Act Chap. 4.06.,Justice Williams chargedDaniel with contempt of court.
The case will resume May 3 in High Court in Charlestown after Daniels’ incarceration ends.
.
