Two serious, indictable gun-related charges against a businessman were dismissed yesterday morning due to delays on the part of the police.
Rey John (owner of Viper Nightclub and not the policemen Ray John whose fraud case comes up again today) was told he was free to leave the St. John’s Magistrates’ Court without any charges hanging over his head.
The ruling in John’s favour came after the prosecution asked for another adjournment, more than six months since the charges against the accused were filed.
John’s lawyer, Warren Cassell, confirmed that Chief Magistrate Joanne Walsh threw out the charges – shooting with intent to murder and discharging a firearm in a public place – when the prosecution failed to meet repeated deadlines to produce the evidence file.
After the Chief Magistrate set the matter aside for some time yesterday morning to allow lawmen to get the file, the prosecutors showed up with something but still had an excuse as to why another adjournment was needed.
John was charged in July last year after the shooting that month at the Viper Nightclub, which left tattoo artist Oszie Kelvin “Mongoose” Russell injured.
It is alleged that the businessman discharged the weapon while at the club – located at the corner of Corn Alley and St. Mary’s Street – endangering others in the area.
A bullet grazed the side of Russell’s head.