bahamiangoddess
04-25-08, - 03:47 PM
April 25th, 2008
Alleged Election Fraudster A No-Show In Court
By Tosheena Robinson-Blair
For a second time a 50-year-old McCullough Corner man failed to appear in court for his election fraud case.
Magistrate Susan Sylvester has given Wilfred Swain one more chance to appear.
If he is not in court next week Tuesday, the judge said she would revoke his $3,500 bail and remand the Prince George Wharf Welcome Centre musician to Her Majesty’s Prison for the duration of the trial.
Swain stands accused of committing election fraud during the May 2, 2007 general election.
Magistrate Sylvester noted that the warrant for Swain’s arrest remains outstanding dating back to when he last failed to appear before the court on October 1, 2007.
On that occasion, Swain’s attorney Ian Cargill contacted the law office of attorney Fayne Thompson, who is also representing the defendant, and learnt that Swain was supposedly ill and in the hospital.
If he had appeared in court Thursday, Swain was expected to bring medical evidence to prove that he had, in fact, been ill.
The October 1, 2007 adjournment represented the third time that the case was delayed.
It had been held up twice before when the prosecution announced a revision of the charges filed against Swain, and then again when Magistrate Sylvester was out of town.
Parliamentary Commissioner Errol Bethel, Cynthia Wilson, returning officer for the Farm Road Constituency, and a police officer have all testified so far.
There are two remaining witnesses expected to give evidence in the matter – FNM poll workers Jonecca Rolle and Mark Neely.
Prosecuting the matter is Calvin Seymour assisted by Shavon Bethel, both of the Attorney General’s Office.
Swain has pleaded not guilty to fraudulently taking ballot paper #146672 out of polling division #12 in the Farm Road and Centerville Constituency, having possessed a counterfeit ballot paper known not to be genuine and uttering a counterfeit document.
If convicted of the offences, he faces a $1,000 fine and/or a three-month jail term.
Swain was originally charged within a week of the May 2 elections, which were fraught with allegations of voting irregularities.
So far, however, only Swain’s and one other election fraud case have been brought to the courts.
Alleged Election Fraudster A No-Show In Court
By Tosheena Robinson-Blair
For a second time a 50-year-old McCullough Corner man failed to appear in court for his election fraud case.
Magistrate Susan Sylvester has given Wilfred Swain one more chance to appear.
If he is not in court next week Tuesday, the judge said she would revoke his $3,500 bail and remand the Prince George Wharf Welcome Centre musician to Her Majesty’s Prison for the duration of the trial.
Swain stands accused of committing election fraud during the May 2, 2007 general election.
Magistrate Sylvester noted that the warrant for Swain’s arrest remains outstanding dating back to when he last failed to appear before the court on October 1, 2007.
On that occasion, Swain’s attorney Ian Cargill contacted the law office of attorney Fayne Thompson, who is also representing the defendant, and learnt that Swain was supposedly ill and in the hospital.
If he had appeared in court Thursday, Swain was expected to bring medical evidence to prove that he had, in fact, been ill.
The October 1, 2007 adjournment represented the third time that the case was delayed.
It had been held up twice before when the prosecution announced a revision of the charges filed against Swain, and then again when Magistrate Sylvester was out of town.
Parliamentary Commissioner Errol Bethel, Cynthia Wilson, returning officer for the Farm Road Constituency, and a police officer have all testified so far.
There are two remaining witnesses expected to give evidence in the matter – FNM poll workers Jonecca Rolle and Mark Neely.
Prosecuting the matter is Calvin Seymour assisted by Shavon Bethel, both of the Attorney General’s Office.
Swain has pleaded not guilty to fraudulently taking ballot paper #146672 out of polling division #12 in the Farm Road and Centerville Constituency, having possessed a counterfeit ballot paper known not to be genuine and uttering a counterfeit document.
If convicted of the offences, he faces a $1,000 fine and/or a three-month jail term.
Swain was originally charged within a week of the May 2 elections, which were fraught with allegations of voting irregularities.
So far, however, only Swain’s and one other election fraud case have been brought to the courts.