The Tribune

By LAMECH JOHNSON

Tribune Staff Reporter

ljohnson@tribunemedia.net

A MAN’S appeal against conviction for conspiring to rob a John Bull retail store has been delayed due to his lawyer’s current punishment for refusing to pay a $2,000 contempt fine.

David Collins appeared in the Court of Appeal yesterday, but notably absent from the proceedings was his lawyer, Geoffrey Farquharson, who was imprisoned last week for refusing to pay a fine ordered by Justice Bernard Turner, who had found him guilty of contempt of court.

Mr Farquharson was found in contempt of court on May 22 for his behaviour during last year’s Kofhe Goodman murder trial and the fine was imposed on June 5.

Before he was arrested last Thursday at the end of his 21-day deadline to pay, his request to the court to delay the commencement of his sentence was denied notwithstanding that he was representing a client in an ongoing Supreme Court trial. The contempt ruling is being contested.

Regarding his client’s appeal, however, which is a challenge against conviction and 20-year-sentence in connection with the May 2011 jewellery theft, the appellate court adjourned the matter to July 28 for a status hearing given the circumstances.

In October 2012, Collins and Jonathan Armbrister were convicted of conspiracy to commit armed robbery when jurors found Armbrister guilty by a count of 7-2 and were split, 6-3, on Collins.

Both men were found not guilty of armed robbery while Collins was also found guilty of causing damage and receiving.

Armbrister and Collins were sentenced to 25 and 20 years in prison respectively; however both have applied to challenge their conviction and sentence.

The appeals are being heard separately as Armbrister is represented by Jerome Roberts.