‘No case’

Moments after the prosecution closed its case against Coast Guard Lieutenant David Harewood this morning, defense counsel Vincent Watson signalled his intention to make a no case submission.

That motion is expected to be made tomorrow, the fifth day of Harewood’s court martial hearing at the Barbados Defence Force’s St Ann’s headquarters.

Harewood, the most senior coast guard official to ever be court martialed, faces charges that between August 7 and 10, 2018, without lawful authority knowingly communicated with Akem Waithe, alias ‘Ellis’, while using a cellular phone belonging to the Barbados Defence Force (BDF) and that on an unknown date in January 2018, he communicated with a well known drug trafficker.

Harewood also faces a charge that on an unknown date in January 2018, being a commissioned officer in the BDF, having knowledge of a threat to the life of a junior member, neglected to inform his superiors of such a threat.

Additionally, he is charged with conducting unauthorised information gathering operations, conduct unbecoming of a commissioned officer in the BDF.

At the end of yesterday’s sitting Watson had asked that a transcript of the proceedings be made available to him. He then told the Tribunal he planned to make a submission once the prosecution closed its defence.

Once police constable Henderson Forde exited the witness stand this morning, Watson was asked by the tribunal what submission he intended to make.

It was then he revealed his intention to make a no-case submission, as the prosecution had failed to prove its case against his client.

The matter was then adjourned until tomorrow morning at 9 a.m., giving Watson enough time to peruse the transcript and prepare his submission.

Earlier, under examination from prosecutor Lieutenant Jamar Bourne, Forde testified that he was familiar with Akem Waithe – as he had previously charged Waithe with conspiracy to import firearms.

He also revealed that during police operations he had seen Waithe among other known drug dealers.

Forde explained that Waithe was known to be heavily involved in drug trafficking.

When cross examined by the defence counsel, Forde said he did not have sight of Waithe’s conviction card so he could not say whether he had any antecedents for drugs.

He however, admitted that he had never charged Waithe with any drug offences.
randybennett@barbadostoday.bb