The Tribune

By LAMECH JOHNSON

Tribune Staff Reporter

ljohnson@tribunemedia.net

JUDGES were concerned over the late receipt of transcripts and rulings from the magistrates’ court in the case of a pilot appealing his conviction for a $250,000 cocaine possession case.

Justices Anita Allen, Stanley John and Neville Adderley commented after attorney Murrio Ducille told the court his client Patrick Pyfrom’s plea was stagnated by the absence of trial transcripts.

Pyfrom, 48, was convicted and sentenced on April 4 on four drugs charges - importation of dangerous drugs, conspiracy to import dangerous drugs, possession of dangerous drugs with intent to supply and conspiracy to possess dangerous with intent to supply.

In the bail-pending-appeal hearing, Mr Ducille raised concerns over the magistrate having possession of trial transcripts well after conviction.

Noting a magistrate may need, or want, to correct grammatical errors before sending in transcripts, appellate judges admitted that the law stipulated magistrates had no control over transcripts, as court stenographers were responsible for that job.

The court said they would expedite the appeal on the basis that the grounds for bail concerned the evidence of the case, which would be argued at the substantive hearing. Mr Ducille agreed with this approach. The conviction and sentence is being challenged on June 24.