Latest update April 25th, 2024 12:59 AM
Jun 06, 2009 News
Embattled promoter Colin Mack, was yesterday committed to stand trial at the next sitting of the Demerara Criminal Assizes in the High Court, for the indictable offence of rape.
The committal order was read to him by Acting Chief Magistrate Melissa Robertson, at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.
As the order was been read to the accused, Mack, he stood calmly looking directly at the magistrate.
Magistrate Robertson in her address to the court, said that the evidence presented by the prosecution shows that a “prima facie” was definitely made against the accused.
She further stated that an “oral statement” which was given by Mack was proven to be given freely, without any inducement.
The magistrate proceeded to tell the accused that there are three options open to him, these were stand in the dock and give an unsworn statement, take the witness box where he could be cross-examined by the prosecution, or he could refrain from saying anything.
Mack stayed from the docks on the advice of his lawyer Attorney at law Glen Hanoman and stated “My worship I’m innocent of this charge”.
The magistrate then asked if he would like to call any witnesses on his behalf, but Mack stated that he does not wish to at this point in time.
Attorney at law, Glen Hanoman, in his address to court, made yet another bail application.
The lawyer said that the next sitting of the Criminal Assizes is more than three months away. He said that his client must not be made to wait a long time for an offence which is bailable.
The lawyer added that he was not certain that his client would be on that list in October, and that it could be three years before his client goes to trial.
He said that since the allegation arose, his client has been financially drained. Mack has lost seven pertinent contracts because of this case.
Hanoman further explained, that whatever sum of money is lodged, it would be so for a long time. The lawyer then asked that bail be set at the sum of $50,000, further noting that he knows of other defendants who were given bail in that amount.
However, Police Prosecutor Denise Griffith objected to bail.
The prosecutor said that although the preliminary inquiry is over, if bail is considered, the accused may not stay for his trail in the High Court.
She said even though Mack’s travel documents are lodged, Guyana’s neighbouring countries Suriname, Brazil and Venezuela are all escape routes that fleeing criminals use.
The prosecutor further noted, that from the testimony given by the virtual complainant, the defendant is likely to make contact with a female who aided him in the process of raping the victim.
Attorney at law Glen Hanoman, interjected and told the court that it is the opinion of the prosecution, and nothing that Griffith stated could support such an allegation, because there is no evidence.
He said that the court must be more vigilant and bring more evidence and not gossip .The lawyer said that this is exactly what happened in this case. “My worship there was too much gossip about Mack”.
He further stated that he now finds it very strange that the prosecution is objecting to bail on the grounds that Mack is a flight risk, when the objection was always based on interference.
He said that it is even stranger that the person who was charged with interference, was granted bail in the sum of $75,000.
Hanoman said that it would be very unsympathetic for the magistrate not to grant Mack bail for this offence, further noting that he does not know of any rape accused that was not granted bail after being committed to stand trial in the High Court.
Bail was nevertheless refused.
Mack had made over ten court appearances during the preliminary inquiry.
The case took many turns during its two month duration, with a prime piece of evidence disappearing from a police package, only to reappear hours later at the East La Penitence Police Station.
Another twist in the case was when a man purporting to be an officer attached at the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit was charged with trying to pervert the witness and her mother.
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