Lead Stories

Arthur Hall, Senior Staff Reporter

THE HOTSHOT attorneys retained to represent alleged drug lord Christopher 'Dudus' Coke are upbeat as they start preparing for a trial that will be of interest around the world.

Coke was named by United States prosecutors as one of the world's drug kingpins and is now in custody in a New York jail awaiting trial.

The story of the attempts to capture him and the subsequent bloody gun battle in his west Kingston enclave of Tivoli Gardens captured the attention of media around the world and two of the most high-profile lawyers in Queens, New York, are now down to represent him.

After spending the past month with a state-appointed attorney, Coke finally settled private representation and, on Wednesday, prominent defence lawyers Elizabeth Macedonio and Steve Zissou were registered in the United States Southern District of New York Court to represent him.

Very confident

Yesterday, Zissou told The Gleaner the attorneys are convinced Coke will be cleared of charges of conspiracy to distribute drugs and firearms trafficking.

"We are very confident," said Zissou, despite claims by US prosecutors that they have at least nine former cronies of Coke, plus recorded telephone conversations, to make the case against him.

"I think we are going to trial," Zissou added in response to reports that Coke will seek to strike a plea deal with the prosecutors.

Coke in good spirits

Zissou said the source of the money that Coke will use to pay his legal fees is not an issue, even though other legal sources in the US yesterday said that would not be finally determined until the alleged drug lord returns to court in September.

According to Zissou, Coke is in good spirits despite being in custody for the past six weeks.

"He is in great condition, even though he could be better if he was not in jail and back in Jamaica," the attorney said.

"He is very strong-willed, bright and engaging," Zissou said after talks with the former west Kingston strongman.

The attorney said Coke's legal team has received some documentation from American prosecutors, but are awaiting more on the extradition request and documentation from Coke's attorneys in Jamaica.

arthur.hall@gleanerjm.com