Log In

Reset Password
BERMUDA | RSS PODCAST

Drugs trial hears closing arguments

prosecution had failed to provide experts to back up their evidence.In his closing statements Mr. Frank Phipps stated:

prosecution had failed to provide experts to back up their evidence.

In his closing statements Mr. Frank Phipps stated: "I will give the prosecution full marks for pulling the rabbit out of the hat with the letters that they say were found in Webb's house but where is the handwriting specialist to identify the writing.

"The administrator of St. Brendan's, Mr. George Simons, was not competent to judge the writing. It is a scrappy presentation of a case.'' Webb, 27, is accused of using US Base personnel and their Base post offices boxes to import cannabis and cocaine into Bermuda. She denies conspiring with Oswald Farrel to import cocaine and cannabis, importing the drugs, and possessing them with the intention of supply.

Mr. Phipps also said that one of the charges against Webb was that between February 20, 1992, and October 13, 1993, she conspired to import drugs with Farrel but "Farrel was not even here at that time. He even said in his evidence that he met Webb in August, 1993, so he could not have been conspiring with her. It is physically and legally impossible.

"You can throw muck around hoping it will stick but that is not right.'' In his closing statements Crown Counsel Mr. Khamisi Tokumbo said that each count of the indictment had been proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

"There is an abundance of evidence in this case. There is the evidence of Farrel and Storey who both told of an agreement and their relationship with the defendant and even if there were inconsistencies in their statements it does not mean they are lying.

"The defence's case is that everyone set this poor person up. They would have the Police, Farrel, Storey and special Base agent Bratton in the dock. You must keep in the forefront of your mind who is on trial here.'' Mr. Tokumbo added that the defence raising suspicions that Bratton planted the drugs was "all a smoke screen trying to divert you from the issues.

"Another smoke screen was the fact that Farrel did not know Charlene Webb's surname. But does it matter that he didn't know her name until a later date.

"The evidence of conspiracy is supported by the letters that the Police found and the fax message. It is damning stuff because it associates Webb with a man she says she doesn't know.

"Webb had to distance herself from them by saying that she did not write them and never saw then.'' Mr. Tokumbo also said that Webb said on the stand that during her statement to Police she was talking "foolishness'' because of the threats she was receiving from the Police. And she said she would have told them anything.

"But the evidence in her Police statement supports the evidence given by Farrel. She admitted in her statement that she wrote the letters that the Police found, and the letters were signed by Sarah which is her middle name.

If there was ever a strong case this was it.

"The prosecution has spent their time talking about smoke screens and attacking the defence. The structure and foundation of the prosecution's case is Oswald Farrel and if that fails their case is at an end'' The trial continues on Monday before Puisne Judge the Hon. Mr. Justice Ground.