Furniture maker found guilty of firearms charges

A self-professed furniture maker was found guilty of illegal possession of firearm and illegal possession of ammunition by Chief Justice Bryan Sykes on Wednesday, following his analysis of evidence presented in the Clansman-One Don Trial.

Roel Taylor is charged on counts 23 and 24 of the indictment of the longest running gang trial at the Home Circuit Court. The Crown contends that on June 25, 2019, police visited and searched a property occupied by Taylor, when keys, said to be for a furniture shop, were found. The shop, which Taylor claimed he operated, was searched. When a stack of lumber was searched, an AK-47 rifle containing 10 rounds of ammunition was found. Taylor indicated that he knew nothing about the items. The defence also contends that there were multiple points of entry into the building, which was supported by an unsworn testimony given by Taylor and his witness earlier in the trial.

But Skyes described the defence's argument as "total rubbish."

"I do not accept the testimony coming from Mr Taylor and his witness that the shop had multiple entrances because what would be the point? Why would you lock up a place and, in the end, it doesn't matter, because the back door is open? It makes no sense to me," Sykes argued.

He stated further that he is satisfied that the property "does not have multiple points of entry other than through the door that was unlocked by the police, by virtue of the key" that was taken from his room during the search. He reasoned that Taylor was in possession of the firearm by virtue of being in possession of the key that opened the lock to the door.

Sykes is expected to continue his summation tomorrow.

- T.T.