The 2016 Calypso Monarch has her car back.
But Aziza Kebret Tsgaye Clarke will have to put it on a wrecker to move it from Oistins Police Station, Christ Church, to her home in Bonnetts, Brittons Hill, St Michael.
Clarke, 23, was back in the Oistins Magistrates’ Court yesterday where she is facing the charge that knowing or believing Hakeem Stuart had committed an offence of murder, she assisted him by transporting him in a car – an act intended to impede Stuart’s apprehension – on March 21.
She was also not required to plead to assaultingConstable Patrick Forde in the execution of his
duty with intent to prevent lawful apprehension on the same date.
Clarke pleaded not guilty to resisting Forde in the execution of his duty; damaging a pair of sunglasses belonging to him; failing to draw her vehicle MC92 to the left and stop at the sound of a siren; driving without insurance, and failing to register the vehicle with the Licensing Authority, all on March 21.
Yesterday, Queen’s Counsel Michael Lashley reiterated his submission for the release of the car.
Video
“I believe that given the fact that police already have their photographic evidence and we have disclosurefrom the point of view of video, I believe that
in the circumstances, we are asking that the said vehicle should be returned to the accused,” he told the court, as he stressed the return of the vehicle did not offer any prejudice to the prosecution’s case or his.
Lashley, however, admitted that Clarke could not “get in the car and drive it out”.
“It would have to be properly registered,” he said, adding it would have to be moved by a wrecker.
Prosecutor Station Sergeant Randolph Burnett said he had spoken to the investigator, who informed him that “the vehicle can be returned to her”.
“It can be collected by the accused,” the prosecutor said. He, however, asked that restrictions be placed
on Clarke to prevent her disposing of the vehicle “because of another matter”. Magistrate Elwood Watts ordered that the car be returned to the accused and adjourned the matter until August 13.(HLE)
