After almost five years

After almost five years
…man still awaiting trial for larceny of motor vehicle, receiving stolen property
A man, who appeared for the ninth trial date on a charge of larceny of motor vehicle and receiving stolen property, will have to continue his wait. This after it was not ascertained whether the complainants in the matter would fund their own trip to Jamaica to give evidence in the case.
Melbourne Taylor is the man charged in relation to larceny of motor vehicle and receiving stolen property from 2011.
The case against Taylor is over five years old.
When the matter appeared before presiding resident magistrate Vaughn Facey, the clerk of courts revealed that the matter was for trial and there had been eight previous trial dates.
Attorney Ayana Royes, who represented Taylor, explained that she was asking the court to make an order for the case to be dismissed.
However, RM Facey wanted to hear what the challenges were with the case.
The clerk of court indicated that the witnesses in the case, who are husband and wife, have since migrated overseas. The accused man, Taylor has never missed a court date in the matter and the investigating officer was present on some days in the matter.
Another issue that has also resulted in the case being delayed was the fact that the main witnesses are residing overseas. It was revealed in court that the couple had written to the Ministry of National Security in Jamaica asking for assistance to return home to participate in the trial. However, no response was ever returned.
In light of these new developments, RM Facey posited that while many persons have often sought the assistance of the state in getting compensation to travel back to Jamaica for trials, the reality was that the Government was facing tight fiscal control.
RM Facey continued by saying that it was now a question of whether the complainants would be willing to pay their own expenses.
The clerk of court also indicated that he emailed the complainants last Tuesday to inform them of the situation and to enquire if they are still interested in giving evidence.
RM Facey commended the prosecutor and noted that this was smart on his part as it was a better method of communication.
The clerk later indicated that he would take a particular route, but he was waiting on the email response from the complainants.
The matter will again be mentioned on May 24.
Taylor had his bail extended as his case continues to linger in the courts.