Firearm Possession Charges Dropped

March 31, 2011

This morning [Mar.31] Jahcai Morris appeared in Magistrates Court, and had the firearm possession charge against him dismissed after the Magistrate found there wasn’t enough evidence.

On March 15, 2011, 31-year-old Jahcai Daniel Morris was charged, and following a Short Form Preliminary Inquiry, the charges were dismissed this morning.

Magistrate Archie Warner, having heard submissions and seen preliminary evidence from both the Crown and lawyer Victoria Pearman acting on behalf of Jahcai Morris, ruled that Ms Pearman’s application that Mr Morris had no case to answer would be upheld.

The Crown’s primary evidence came from statements from DNA expert Candy Zuleger which alleged that Mr Morris’s DNA had been found on the pistol grip and trigger of a 9mm gun that on 9th November 2010, had been found in a public place, and confiscated by Police.

Magistrate Warner, in his ruling, said that the matter, if put to a jury, would lead to inferences that would be weak. In making this point, the Magistrate referred to and cited case law.

He said that the DNA suggested that the defendant may have had possession at some time but that a Jury could not conclude that amounted to substantive possession.

Magistrate Warner said that this not an acquittal and that the Crown was free to press other charges. Mr Morris had his bail on other charges extended.

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Category: All, Crime, News

Comments (5)

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  1. Confused says:

    Help me out here…
    He was “charged with handling a firearm”

    According to the Magistrate
    “the DNA suggested that the defendant may have had possession at some time ”

    What is the difference between “handling” and “possession”
    He must of handled the gun when it was in his possession, how else do the DNA get there…

    • bernews says:

      Sorry, thats was us, its amended….they used that terminology at one point in the initial Court appearance on the 14th, but upon checking – they did not this time. The charges dropped were “possession.”

  2. SO says:

    Free up!I like dem loopholes. Might have 2 beat a charge like dat one da
    y.

    • SOMERSET OG says:

      SO IGNORANT! Why don’t you have to read a book and improve your life one day instead? Why don’t you take trip to another part of the world and experience something other than your local wall and liquor store? Why don’t you sit back by yourself one day and imagine all of the people and things that will be affected if you were to lose your life. Do you have kids? Want kids? Does somebody depend on your paycheck to keep a roof over their head? That’s if you even have a job. Does your mother need you to run errands for her because she’s too old and sickly? You gun punks never think of the big picture. A whole lot more people feel the pain than just one dead or dying black man.

  3. open your eyes says:

    Sad day in Bermuda when you can walk out of court and smile and say to your self i have beat then again. CHANGE THE LAW UP DATE THE LAW. When this happeneds they would not be smiling any more.