Court frees man after prosecution fails to establish firearm link

A man who was on trial for illegal gun possession was freed in the Gun Court on Tuesday after the prosecution failed to establish that he was in possession of the illegal firearm.

Nembhard Fletcher was charged with possession of a prohibited weapon and unauthorised possession of ammunition. He maintained his innocence throughout the case.

During the trial, the prosecution called two witnesses, but their evidence was found insufficient to link Fletcher to the weapon.

Attorney-at-law Orville Morgan, during cross-examination, highlighted discrepancies in the witnesses’ accounts of the incident that led to Fletcher's arrest.

The presiding judge ruled that the Crown had failed to prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt and ordered that Fletcher be freed.

The court also heard that there was no DNA evidence linking Fletcher to the weapon.

Allegations are that on March 17, 2023, police were on patrol when Fletcher was observed on the grounds of Papine High School in St Andrew with what appeared to be a bulge in his waist.

It is further alleged that he ran to the back of the compound, out of sight of the police.

He later emerged and was searched, but no weapon was found on him.

However, while in police custody, a search was conducted outside the perimeter of the premises and officers said a gun was discovered.

Fletcher was arrested and subsequently charged.

- Rasbert Turner

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