Top judge throws out gun case against teenager

(CNS):  A young man who was arrested when he was only 17 years old for possession of a firearm walked free from the court on Friday almost two years later after the chief justice threw out the case. Following the prosecution’s presentation of their case against 19 year old Jason Hatch, his defence counsel, Ben Tonner, submitted to the judge that there was no evidence against his client. The judge agreed and stated there was no case to answer as it would be manifestly unsafe for a jury to decide on the case.

The Crown had alleged that a firearm and ammunition, found in Hatch’s bedroom during a search of his apartment was his, despite the fact that the evening proceedings the search Hatch had been in police custody in relation to another investigation. It was also revealed during the court hearing that two other men had been staying in Hatch’s apartment that night, neither of whom were charged in connection with the case.