Man on murder rap seeks release
Published:Sunday | February 20, 2011 | 12:00 AM
A Jamaican man who has been in custody for more than 60 days since he waived his right to an extradition hearing has brought an application in the Supreme Court seeking his immediate release from custody.
Tony Vincent Ashman, who is being represented by attorney-at-law Diane Jobson, is contending that under Section 13 of the Extradition Act he was entitled to be set free.
The minister of justice and attorney general has the authority to sign the relevant documents for a fugitive to be extradited after the court proceedings have been completed.
Ashman's application for a writ of habeas corpus (immediate release from prison) came before Supreme Court Judge Martin Gayle in chambers yesterday.
He has been in custody since November 26.
The matter has been set for hearing before the Full Court comprising three judges on April 14.Ashman is wanted by the British Government to face a murder charge in England.
Section 13 of the Extradition Act states, in part, that if any person committed to wait his extradition is in custody in Jamaica under this Act after the expiration of two months, he may apply to the Supreme Court for his discharge.