Kern gets new trial date

A new trial date has been set for June 22 in the corruption case involving former junior minister Kern Spencer and his associate Colleen Wright.



Spencer is facing money laundering and corruption charges in the distribution of Cuban light bulbs.



During this morning’s hearing in the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate’s Court the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) formally dropped the charges against businessman Rodney Chin, who was also implicated in the case.



Members of the defence team raised objections about the new trial date.



Defence attorney Patrick Atkinson explained that the team had only just received material critical to the case:



Mr. Atkinson also raised further issues with the decision by the DPP to drop the charges against Rodney Chin



The DPP, Paula Lewellyn had earlier signalled her intention to drop the charges against Mr. Chin who was charged with breaches of the Corruption Prevention Act, conspiracy to defraud and money laundering.



Llewellyn had earlier told the Court that attorney-at-law Richard Small who represents Chin had approached the DPP on behalf of his client.



The trial is expected to last over two weeks.