The Tribune

By LAMECH JOHNSON

Tribune Staff Reporter

ljohnson@tribunemedia.net

A SUPREME Court jury heard yesterday that a police report on the pistol used in a failed robbery was not prepared until the day before.

This was revealed when a policeman was cross-examined by attorney Murrio Ducille, who is defending 25-year-old Jeremy Kemp.

Kemp is charged with attempted armed robbery. It is claimed that on December 13, 2010, he tried to rob a restaurant while armed with a handgun. Kemp denies the charge.

During yesterday’s hearing, while being questioned by prosecutor Ambrose Armbrister, Inspector Earl Thompson, a firearm examinations officer on the Royal Bahamas Police Force, told the court that on July 27, 2011, he received a sealed box from a colleague containing a Smith and Wesson .40 Calibre pistol, its magazine] and five unused cartridges.

The officer, while showing the court the black and silver handgun, said he found the gun in workable condition and the cartridges were intact. “Two out of five [cartridges] were tested using the pistol and they functioned normally,” he said. When shown the crime scene photos, which contained images of a silver and black gun on the ground in the area where the incident took place, Insp Thompson said the gun he examined and the one in the photos were a match based on the serial numbers.

During cross-examination, Mr Ducille asked the policeman when he had received the items for examination.

“July 27, 2011,” the witness answered. “And your report was not prepared until 17 July this year?” Mr Ducille asked.

Mr Thompson answered: “That was the report. The exam was completed from last year.”

The trial resumes today.