Case files in public march case disappear

The judge hearing the case brought against president of the United Independent Congress, Joseph Patterson, and his co-defendants, yesterday expressed surprise that the case files for two of the men have gone missing.

Patterson, Abbey Gayle Thompson, David Thompson and Kevaugh Harris are charged with taking part in a public march without a permit, not wearing a mask, organising a public march without permit, resisting arrest, disorderly conduct, failure to disperse march and being a part of a gathering of more than 10 persons.

When they appeared before the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court yesterday, the prosecution revealed that the case files for Harris and Thompson could not be found.

"That's a little strange. This matter has been here quite recently," Senior Parish Judge Lori-Ann Cole-Montague said after the prosecution informed the court about the missing files.

The matter was been adjourned until February 28, 2022, but not before Hugh Wildman, the lawyer for the defence, told the court that the men have filed a constitution motion challenging the constitutionally of the law under which they are being charged.