Man cleared after 30-year delay in forgery case

Man cleared after 30-year delay in forgery case

KINGSTON, Jamaica — A man whose case had been before the court for more than 30 years due to a lack of attendance by witnesses was admonished and discharged on Tuesday when he appeared before the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court.

Morris Powell, who is charged with obtaining money by means of forged documents and forgery, made an application to the court on Tuesday to have the matter dismissed.

According to a statement read by the clerk, the matter was last adjourned on October 1, 1992, due to a lack of attendance by witnesses. He also noted that there had been no action on the accused man’s file since the date of adjournment.

“The applicant is experiencing some hardship in obtaining a clean police record and securing employment. He is therefore asking the court to make an order in this matter so that it may be brought to an end, if the court is so minded,” the clerk told Parish Judge Alicia McIntosh.

Powell is charged with three counts of forgery in 1991 and two counts of obtaining money by means of forged documents in 1991.

He pleaded not guilty when he appeared before Judge McIntosh.

“Based on the passage of time and the inaction on the file since that time, Your Honour, the Crown offers no evidence against Mr Morris Powell,” said the clerk.

He was formally admonished and discharged.

— Vanassa McKenzie