Crown closes corruption case against suspended cop

(CNS): Following more than two weeks of evidence the crown closed its case Monday lunchtime, against Elvis Ebanks who is accused of taking money from a Filipino work-permit holder to avoid prosecution over a stolen phone after it third attempt to prosecute the suspended cop. During the first two weeks of the trial the crown presented evidence from Len Ferares who claimed he found the phone at the Autospa in Red Bay when he was there cleaning andwas later asked for money by Ebanks who was the officer called to deal with the case when the owner of the phone came to claim it. The jury also heard from several police officers involved in a sting operation and Ebanks’ arrest.

Difficulties with translators had seen two previous trials collapse but despite the time it took to present the evidence of Ferares through the interpreter this time the crown managed to get through his testimony as well as that of the police involved in the case without any further problems.

Following the closure of the case by the prosecuting counsel Trevor Ward QC, the deputy director of public prosecutions, which has already run over the anticipated two weeks, the jury were dismissed until Tuesday morning in order to allow defence counsel, Laurence Aiolfi to make a number of specific legal submissions to the judge ahead of answering the charges.
The case continues Tuesday before presiding judge, Justice Charles Quin in Grand Court one