The Tribune

By PAVEL BAILEY

Tribune Court Reporter

pbailey@tribunemedia.net

A MAN was discharged yesterday in connection with a decades-old firearm and ammunition charge due to conflicting reports from police on the exact firearm model found.

Lamont Burrows stood before Senior Magistrate Carolyn Vogt-Evans for the closure of his possession of an unlicenced firearm and possession of ammunition trial.

Back in 2008, officers reportedly arrested Burrows at his residence on Carmichael Road after they said they had uncovered a Ruger pistol and a total of 17 rounds of unfired ammunition.

However, during the defendant’s subsequent trial, officers gave conflicting reports as to the model of the firearm that was recovered at Burrows’ home.

Although officers all corroborated the same serial number for the weapon, they failed to confirm whether the Ruger pistol was a 9mm or .45, a discrepancy which the defendant directly pointed out during the final day of his trial.

For this reason, Magistrate Vogt-Evans moved to dismiss Burrows’ case due to insufficient evidence from the prosecution. In her official discharge of Burrows, she cited the conflicting evidence in the type of weapon and the chain of command being in doubt as reasons for her decision.

Magistrate Vogt-Evans then informed the prosecution of their right to appeal her sentencing.

The weapon and ammunition seized are to remain confiscated.