Good Hope arms trio to be tried summarily
Stabroek News
February 6, 2003
Magistrate Jerrick Stephney yesterday ruled that the case against three men popularly known as the `Good Hope trio’ should be tried summarily starting on February 19.
The trio Shaheed Khan, policeman Sean Belfield and Haroon Yahya were initially charged indictably for illegal possession of firearms and ammunition.
But defence attorney Glen Hanoman had put forward arguments on the last occasion for the matter to be tried summarily. The prosecution had objected stating that their instruction was for it to be done indictably. At the Sparendaam court yesterday Hanoman continued his argument and Magistrate Stephney granted his request. He also urged the prosecution to make available the statements for the case for the commencement of the trial on February 19 along with a list of the items found in the vehicle.
Apart from several high-powered weapons and ammunition which were seized, the army had also found in the blue Ford open-back pick-up a police identification card, a laptop computer capable of intercepting cellular calls and a plan of the city.
According to the prosecutor’s case on December 4, 2002 at Good Hope East Coast Demerara the men had in their possession a quantity of unlawful high-powered firearms and ammunition.
Besides, Belfield has been charged with two additional summary charges of unlawful possession of firearm and ammunition. The prosecutor’s case is that on the same day Belfield had in his possession one Glock pistol and six 9mm rounds.
