One Don Gang trial paused to study phone reports

The prosecution in the Clansman-One Don Gang trial yesterday revealed that it is now in possession of a report from the Communication Forensic Cybercrimes Department, which is expected to shed light on alleged telephone conversation between the men on trial and at least one key state witness.

The report is believed to contain call data record of some of the persons included in the trial. Prosecutors said that the report was received on Tuesday evening, and requested an adjournment to examine the contents.

The prosecutor, who indicated that the documents will be disclosed electronically to the defence lawyers, said additional time is needed to determine which witnesses are to be called.

A former member of the gang, who is one of the prosecution's main witnesses, had testified that the alleged gangsters used several different phone numbers to communicate with each other. Some of the numbers were stored under their respective names in three phones that were used to secretly record conversations between the ex-gangster and some of his former cronies.

The self-confessed gangster also testified that alleged members of the gang communicated with its reputed leader, Andre 'Blackman' Bryan, and his alleged deputy, Jason 'City Puss' Brown, while they were both in custody. Voices, said to be that of Bryan and Brown, were heard in several of the secret recordings that were played in court.

Reacting to the development, the defence lawyers said that the court was being too accommodating to the prosecution.

"As I said before, we think this is grossly unfair to the defence that after so many months we still don't know what is the case they are bringing," said attorney-at-law Lloyd McFarlane, Bryan's lead counsel, who spoke on behalf of the defence.

He further told the judge that he is not sure whether the time will be sufficient for the defence to peruse the documents.

The trial, which began last September, was adjourned until March 23 at which time Chief Justice Bryan Sykes said that he will determine whether they are in a position to proceed.

Blackman and 32 other alleged members of the One Don Gang are on trial in the Home Circuit Court for being part of a criminal organisation, facilitating murder, conspiracy to murder, arson and illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition.