In December 7News told you that 30 year-old Special Constable Joslyn Gill, 42 year-old Police Corporal Reymundo Requena, and 30 year-old Police Constable Edgar Teul who were charged with theft for the brazen police shakedown of Thyrell Hyde at the Atlantic Bank ATM on Freetown which was all famously caught on camera. Well, that case went back to court today.
As we told you, Requena is charged with harm and theft for allegedly taking $70 from Thyrel Hyde, and he is jointly charged with Gill and Teul for allegedly stealing an additional $260. Viewers may remember that Hyde provided video surveillance from the ATM, which shows what unfolded. He is accusing of all three men of taking him there, using his ATM and withdrawing the $260 from his account.
That case came up today before Magistrate Dale Cayetano, where it was adjourned to April 17 as the next court date. Today after the brief hearing, Thyrel Hyde told 7News that he is hoping that the case won't be on perpetual adjournment because it would be a giant inconvenience:
Thyrell Hyde
"I was given a letter that I should be here at court today and I came this morning and I just found out that it has been adjourned."
Daniel Ortiz
"We were made to understand that coming back and forth for these adjournments may be difficult for you as the complainant. Can you explain that to us?"
Thyrell Hyde
"Well this is the first adjournment, I just hope its not going to be a common practice that every time I show up its going to be adjourned and adjourned, but definitely if this becomes a trend of course it would be at my inconvenience."
Daniel Ortiz
"But sir, there are many factors which play into a trial in which the prosecution isn't ready, evidence aren't lined up, whatever the case may be and the magistrate in his or her best judgment will have to grant an adjournment, but how serious are you in pressing this case no matter how inconvenient it becomes to you?"
Thyrell Hyde
"I am definitely going to be here every time I am demanded to show up because I have to get this resolved."
Daniel Ortiz
"What sort of impact has this been on you and your family that this case is such a high profile case and you have to press it in order to get justice and without your input the case basically goes to the wayside?"
Thyrell Hyde
"Well of course any family would be concerned, but nonetheless they are very supportive of me."
Interestingly enough, after the case, Requena started challenging the court photographers and photojournalists trying to take his picture threatening that he will win his case and he intends to sue all the media houses carrying the case. And in relation to Joslyn Gill, he was more tolerant of photographers today. As we told you, at the time of his initial arraignment at court Gill slapped the camera out of our photojournalists hands while his trying to take Gill's Picture. The journalist has been following up with the investigating officer in charge of case after he made his report, but so far, no action has been taken against Gill. That officer keeps providing the excuse that he cannot locate Gill. We're not so sure about that excuse since police are known to pick up defendants at court when their adjournments take place. This is one of most-used ways for officers to detain them. Today would have been a good opportunity, but it didn't happen. As for Edgar Teul, he didn't show up at all for his adjournment today.
