Jury Acquits Dameko Dean of Gun & Ammo Charges; Judge tosses forgery

By Wilkie Arthur

Freelance Court Reporter

#TurksandCaicos, August 5, 2023 – Well-known business man, DAMEKO DEAN, was on Monday July 31 acquitted by Providenciales jury of the charges of keeping firearm and over 40 plus rounds of ammunition.

The six woman, one man jury, for the past two week, heard evidence from a string of witnesses including:  Former Over 30 Years TCI Government Treasury Officer Mrs. Odette Pearl Malcolm Bernadine; another Retired Former TCI Government Treasury Officer Ms. Rosita Elaine Smith; Deputy Director of Public Prosecution Mrs. Angela Terry Brooks; Police Former Tactical Unit Officer Mr. Bradley Reece (now attached in another area in the police department); Police Inspector Mr.  Michael Francois and Police Detective Mr. Myron Cruickshank.

The defendant was represented by senior defense attorney, Finbar Grant and the office of the Director of Public Prosecution (ODPP) hired a private attorney Latisha Williams-Bruce to prosecute the matter on its behalf.

The jury was tasked with considering evidence from the Crown that a license firearm holder of 11 years, did not pay for his gun license in 2020.

Up until the final day of the two weeks trial, the jury also had to consider evidence pertaining to uttering a forged document namely a purported treasury receipt for payment of firearm license for 2020.  However, this charge was withdrawn by the judge.

The Crown was unable to satisfactorily prove that count to enable the jury a fair and just consideration.