Oshane Eugene Darrell admitted before a Supreme Court jury yesterday that he had twice lied to Police but said it was his duty to tell the jury the truth.

Darrell and his partner Jennifer Mederios, both of 23 Seawall Drive, deny possessing a large amount of cocaine with the intent to supply, as well as possessing drug paraphernalia on November 22, 2002.

Under an aggressive cross examination by Crown counsel Carrington Mahoney, Darrell admitted that he lied to Police ?once or twice?.

By the end of the day Mr. Mahoney got Darrell to concede he actually lied to Police seven or eight times.

Darrell defended his actions by saying, ?It was not my position to tell them (the truth). It is my position to tell the jury (the truth)?.

He also told the jury that he lied to Police to protect his partner who had a month old baby.

Mr. Mahoney also questioned Darrell on his prior involvement with the Police and Bermuda court system. Darrell told the court, ?I?ve had hard times with police all my life?.

Darrell was convicted, in September 1997, of aiding and abetting Kenith Clifton Bulford in supplying heroin in Sandys. He was sentenced to two-and-a-half years in prison. He was also fined $200 in 2003 for possessing cannabis.

Crown counsel was allowed question Darrell on his criminal history because the defence has questioned the credibility of a number of prosecution witnesses.

The trial will resume tomorrow morning at Supreme Court.