Drug accused walks free
of Magistrates' Court a free woman yesterday.
The Police prosecutor offered no evidence in the case because of conflicting testimony about where the drugs were found.
Kellie Marie Simmons, 23, arrived at the Civil Air Terminal on January 20, the court heard. During a search, Police found her in possession of a plastic twist which was later found to contain cannabis.
During her court appearance, Simmons said the drug was not found in her purse as Police said. Rather it was found in the pocket of her jeans.
She said that earlier that day some friends had held a birthday party for her.
"I had put the jeans on not knowing what was in the pocket,'' she said.
Senior Magistrate the Wor. Will Francis advised Simmons to change her plea to not guilty because she denied knowing the presence of the drug in the jeans.
Mr. Francis then set a trial date for June 14.
But given that Simmons was an American citizen, Mr. Francis asked whether such a late court date would be a problem.
Sgt. Kenrick James, prosecuting, said he was not prepared to offer any evidence on the point because of the conflict between the Police account of where the drugs were found and where she testified they were found.
"Since the prosecution is not prepared to offer evidence, you are free to go,'' Mr. Francis told Simmons.