The 12-member mixed jury has started deliberations in the trial of former Barbados Cabinet minister Donville Inniss who is facing three counts of money laundering in a New York court.
Deliberations started at 2 p.m. (3 p.m. Barbados time) following an hour-long summation by David Norwich Gopstein of the US Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of New York.
Equal time was given to Anthony L. Ricco, one of Inniss’ attorneys for his summation, and presiding Federal District Judge Kiyo Matsumoto then spent another 90 minutes providing legal direction to the panel.
Gopstein said the prosecution presented overwhelming evidence and had proven its case beyond a reasonable doubt. He advised the jury to find Inniss guilty on all counts. He said the former Minister of Commerce and Industry knew exactly what he was doing in his transactions.
Meanwhile, Ricco said he and government were diametrically opposed to the same facts presented. He said the facts were not in dispute, but respectfully asked the jury to find Inniss not guilty because government had failed to prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt.
Ricco said there was no proof of money laundering and no bribery took place.
Innis is charged with attempting to launder US$36 000 using the United States financial system.
The case is being heard in the United States Eastern District of New York in Manhattan. (MB)
