Nearly 10 months since he was first arrested and charged for supposedly having in his possession one unlicensed uzi pistol, young Vincentian entrepreneur Lequan Robinson is finally freed of all charges.
The 21 year old resident of Arnos Vale was originally held on three charges, 2 of which stemmed from the alleged illegal gun ownership.
“He was originally charged for having in his possession one Uzi pistol without a license issued under the firearm act. He was also charged with having in his possession one Uzi pistol; serial number unknown – a prohibited weapon, without the authorization of the Minister. And he was also charged with assaulting Dominic Fredrick of Kingstown Park with the intent to commit an offence.
“The charges for assault against Dominic Fredrick and for possession of a pistol under the act without a license were withdrawn but the case continued against him on the prohibited weapon charge.
“That case was heard on Monday [April 26]; a no case to answer submission was made and the judgment was adjourned to Wednesday [April 29],” Robinson’s defense attorney Grant Connel told Asbert News Network.
When Chief Magistrate Rechanne Browne weighed in on the case last Wednesday she noted, “the no case submission was based on that, that there was not a case to answer based on the section for which he was charged.
“So there isn’t a case to answer for his being charged under that section. The evidence, however, is quite profound and appears as to if there might have been a case or something but there was no charge being brought before us for that so there is no case to answer. I have to be guided by the rules.”
Robinson’s bail was initially set at $20, 000 with one surety required. He was made to surrender all travel documents and to satisfy reporting conditions as imposed by the Serious Offences Court in Kingstown.
When we caught up with him post-judgment he thanked everyone who supported him throughout what he described as an almost year long ordeal. A traumatizing experience, he agreed, that caused him to be disinclined to rehash details of what led up to his arrest and subsequent charges.
However, he did say, “I was set up. Who set me up know who they are but time will tell…. It’s my first time getting into anything like this…. I’m still overwhelmed by the entire situation. When I leave here I’m going to sleep because I wasn’t sleeping too well eh and I need to sleep, so I going sleep.”
Diane Joseph, his mother, was also on hand and told us, “I’m just happy that it’s all sorted out. I’ve been here every day with him and thanks to Mr. Grant, I’m just glad it’s over.”
The young car wash operator could have been incarcerated for at least 8 years was he to have been found guilty under the particular section he was prosecuted.
We were reliably informed that other names were mentioned in the course of the trial yet apparently no investigative actions were taken.
“Amazing, it’s just one of those cases where the small fish gets hooked and the big fish gets tagged. They were not even interviewed or their house searched while this young man’s life was turned upside down.
“Fortunately the case fell – poetic justice if you ask me. I hope he is now able to refocus and build his small business in these challenging times,” Connel told ANN.