UTech student, taxi operator freed of gun charges

A University of Technology (UTech) student and a taxi operator implicated in the discovery of an M16 rifle in Papine, St Andrew have been freed of charges in the Gun Court.

Jevaughny Thomas, 24, and Dwayne Tate, 40, walked free on Friday, May 2, after the presiding judge upheld a no-case submission made by their attorneys.

The men were charged with illegal possession of a firearm, trafficking in firearms, and illegal possession of ammunition.

The charges stemmed from an incident on October 17, 2023, when members of the Counter-Terrorism and Organized Crime pp Branch (C-TOC) intercepted a vehicle with four men aboard.

A loaded M16 rifle containing 30 rounds was reportedly found concealed in a feed bag in the vehicle.

Both defendants denied knowledge of the weapon and ammunition.

The prosecution led evidence during the trial alleged that Tate and another man were transporting high-powered rifle from Linstead to Papine to deliver Thomas and a male associate.

However, during the trial, it emerged that there were no fingerprints, DNA, or eyewitness evidence linking either Thomas or Tate to the weapon.

Thomas, a student at the time of the incident, was represented by attorney-at-law Kemar Robinson and Terrisha Grant, while Tate, a taxi driver, was represented by attorney Abina Morris.

The defence attorneys argued that the Crown failed to establish a prima facie case, as there was no evidence showing their clients had knowledge of or control over the firearm.

In siding with the defence, the judge ruled that mere presence in the vehicle did not constitute possession or involvement in the alleged trafficking of the weapon.

The no-case submission was upheld and both accused were acquitted of the charges.

- Tanesha Mundle

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