BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – VERNLYN ZAKERS was remanded to prison after she was unanimously convicted of four gun-related offences yesterday (July 22).
The young lady of Newton Ground was convicted by a 12-member-predominantly female-jury of the offences of “possession of ammunition”, “possession of firearms”, “importation of firearms” and “importation of ammunition”.
Evident by the jury’s verdict, the prosecution was successful in proving that on June 12, 2008 Zakers went to the Robert L. Bradshaw International Airport to clear three packages that contained two bicycles and an inflatable pool as well as six firearms and 400 rounds of assorted ammunition.
The jury heard evidence from 11 prosecution witnesses and also from Zakers, which was followed by closing statements by the prosecution and the defence. After they heard the summation of the evidence presented by the trial judge, His Lordship Justice Francis Belle, the jury retired for deliberations.
Just 10 minutes shy of two hours later, the jury returned and an impassive Zakers listened as her fate was read. The jury was unanimous in its verdict on all four counts. It wasn’t until court had adjourned that Zakers broke down and wept.
She was taken to Her Majesty’s Prison and is to return to the Basseterre High Court of Justice today where one of her lawyers, Dr. Henry Browne, will speak on her behalf before she is sentenced.
