Court to summon minister in bird-shooting case

Peter Knight, the chief executive officer of National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA), as well as the entity's chairman Danville Walker are expected to appear before the St Elizabeth Parish Court to respond to claims that they failed to ensure that signs were posted at a game reserve in St Elizabeth.

The minister with responsibility for the environment is also expected to the summoned.

Attorney at law K.D. Knight, in making submissions on behalf of six men charged with hunting in a game reserve, argued that subpoenas be served on the NEPA representatives and the minister. He requested that the men be served with documents to attended court no later October 31.

Tyrone Moo-Pen, Troy Moo-Pen, Winston Moo-Pen, Gregory Micheal Lee, Emmanuel Larmond and Kyle Ramsay were charged after they were allegedly caught hunting in a game reserve. The court was told that members of the St Elizabeth police and representatives from NEPA were on routine inspection of game birds hunters on August 18 in the Braes River/Elim area, when the six were seen hunting in a game reserve sanctuary. The six were taken into custody and taken to the Santa Cruz Police Station and charged with hunting in a reserve sanctuary.

In court on Monday, Knight said that Tyrone Moo-Pen, when cautioned by the police, said he has been hunting in the same area for more than 10 years and this is the first time that he was ever informed that the area is a reserve.

The matter will again be mentioned on June 11, next year.