“Confirm the identity of the pseudonym using an identification test” | News

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The judge presiding over the case of Lavaughn Cooke, accused of the March 17 murder of security guard Nastacia Smith, on Wednesday reprimanded the prosecution and the investigator, arguing that the accused, who was allegedly identified by a pseudonym, should have undergone a proper identification parade.

Judge Kaysha Grant-Pryce expressed her position pragmatically during Cooke's final appearance in St James Parish Court alongside her 57-year-old father and co-accused, Wilford Cooke, after being informed that the principal The prosecution's witness identified the two men by their supposed pseudonyms rather than their proper names.

The younger Cooke, 21, was denied bail during the duo's previous court appearance on May 9, while his father was offered bail in the amount of $600,000 with bail.

“Question for you: Has Lavaughn Cooke been identified by anyone in the file? » Grant-Pryce directly questioned the officer.

“Only by pseudonym,” the officer replied.

“The long-standing principle in court is that if the person is identified by a pseudonym, it is best to present them at an identification session. Was Lavaughn Cooke introduced in an identification parade? Was he identified during a parade? » asked Grant-Pryce.

“No,” the officer admitted.

Grant-Pryce also rejected the prosecution's argument that no lineup was held for Lavaughn Cooke because he allegedly left the Flower Hill community in St James, where the murder took place, shortly after. time after the incident.

“There is long-standing case law that when a person is identified by a pseudonym – “Lizard”, “Mouth” or “Oney” – you must confirm their identity using an identification test to test them . Right now the prosecution’s case is weak,” Grant-Pryce said.

“Release on bail is simple”

Meanwhile, the pair's lawyer, Henry McCurdy, argued that young Cooke was nowhere in the area at the time of the incident and had gone to police after learning that he was a person of interest.

“When he was told the police were looking for him, he went to the police; I took him to the police station. On the day of the shooting, Mr. Cooke, Jr., was in Westmoreland, and we have witnesses who can say he was in Westmoreland,” McCurdy told Grant-Pryce.

“At this stage, bail is straightforward because he is charged with a serious offense, but a serious offense alone cannot keep him behind bars. Is he a flight risk? Is he a risk to himself or to others? Does he have any other matters before the court? Is he a repeat offender? Did he commit this offense while on bail? » asked Grant-Pryce in rapid succession.

“No,” McCurdy said directly, repeating the answer to each question from the judge.

The court was also informed that the prosecution's case is currently incomplete as several documents including the autopsy report, ballistics report and first responder's report are all pending.

Grant-Pryce then offered Lavaughn Cooke bail in the amount of $500,000 with two sureties and ordered him to report to police five days a week.

As part of his bail conditions, he was ordered to surrender his travel documents and stay away from the Flower Hill community and any witnesses in the case. A shutdown order must also be placed in all relevant ports.

The case is expected to be heard on July 24, with Wilford Cooke's bail extended until that date.

The Cookes are charged with murder and wounding with intent stemming from the March 17 incident which is said to have taken place in Flower Hill, St James, and resulted in the death of Smith and the injury of a witness.

According to the allegations, on March 17 at 3:30 p.m., Smith and a female relative were inside their home with other family members when two armed men entered the yard and opened fire on them through the window of a bedroom before fleeing.

Police were summoned and when they arrived, Smith was seen with a gunshot wound to the chest. Both women were transported to the hospital where Smith was pronounced dead and the other woman was treated and released.

Following an investigation, Wilford and Lavaughn Cooke were arrested and charged.

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