A police corporal from St. Mary is to return to court on March 5, when his trial, in case of corruption, is to continue in the Port Maria Resident Magistrates court. The court started hearing evidence into the case against Corporal Delroy Bishop last Thursday, January 22, even in the absence of an attorney to represent him. The trial started before RM Andrea Collins who told Corporal Bishop that she would not delay the trial any longer and that he was repeatedly spoken to about his legal representation. The remark by the magistrate followed information from Cpl Bishop, when his case was called up, that his lawyer was gravely ill and would not be attending court. The policeman is charged for breaching the Anti-Corruption Act. The alleged corrupt act, which resulted in the policeman being charged, took place in 2006 and his case has been before the court since. The policeman is accused of accepting a total of $100,000 from a civilian, on September 8 and 12, 2006 reportedly to assist in the bail of Movinco Vinkesvic who was charged under the Dangerous Drug Act and placed before the court in Port Maria.The policeman was arrested during a sting operation on September 12, 2006 after he allegedly collected $60,000 from Kendrick Roberts. Roberts had earlier paid over $40,000 to the cop but reported the matter to the corruption arm of the JCF and a sting operation set up. In court on Thursday, January 22, Roberts, who reportedly paid over the money to Cpl Bishop, testified that he was approached by the policeman on September 8 while he was in the precinct of the Port Maria courthouse, trying to obtain bail for Vinkesvic. Roberts said he had travelled from his home in Kingston earlier that day to bail the accused and that the bond was set at $1M.
CASH COULD WORK
He testified that he was on his phone trying to secure documents to facilitate the bail when he was approached by the policeman who told him that a cash bond could work. He said the policeman later took Vinkesvic in a room at the courthouse and that arrangements were made to go to the bank to get the money.
GIBE THEM ‘A THING’
Roberts said the policeman drove the accused in an unmarked government car and he followed in his private car. They went to NCB Port Maria, however, he said the bank was unable to get the money from Vinkesvic’s card. Roberts testified that he telephoned his branch in Kingston and asked that the money be wired to Port Maria. He said after that was done, a cheque was received, and that that all three of them returned to the courthouse. He testified further that he was told by the policeman, Bishop that he had asked the court staff to stay back to facilitate the bail process and that he would have to give them ‘ a thing’. Roberts told the court that he understood ‘a thing’ to mean money. Roberts said he told the policeman that he knew it was a lot of them (workers) so he (Bishop) was to give him a figure to be paid. He claimed the policeman said $100,000. Roberts said he told the policeman that he only had $40,000 with him which he eventually gave to Cpl Bishop and arrangements were made for the remaining $60,000 to be paid, the following Monday. He said after the policeman told him he “could work with that” he placed the cash in an envelope and gave the corporal. He said after the bail process was completed and they left for the police station, the policeman explained the conditions of Vinkesvic bail and that the policeman gave him two numbers to contact him. Roberts said on September 11 he went to “internal affairs” (Anti-Corruption Branch) in Kingston and he made a report against the policeman. He said he received certain instructions from the police in Kingston and that he arranged a delivery time for the remainder of the money with Bishop.
SHIFT OF SCENE
On September 12, the witness said he and a team of officers from Kingston travelled to Reggae Beach in Ocho Rios where he had agreed to meet Bishop to hand over the money. He said when he telephoned Bishop, the policeman changed the location and that they later met in Galina. He said the cops in Kingston had marked the $1,000 notes and they were placed in an envelope. Roberts testified that when he met with Cpl Bishop in Galina, the new meeting spot, he handed him the envelope containing the cash. He said he drove off, but not before making a signal to the police team from Kingston. Roberts said he didn’t know what happened next because he drove off and waited for the police at Reggae Beach where he gave a further statement. The case will continue on March 5 when Roberts is expected to be cross examined by Cpl Bishop or his attorney.
