2 days ago, we told you about John "Jay" Krichelich. He's the 67-year-old American expatriate who was criminally charged after police found 2 unlicensed firearms at his home on the Placencia Peninsula on Easter Monday.
The cops found an unlicensed 38 special revolver with 10 live rounds of ammunition and a stolen 9-millimeter pistol with 12 live rounds of ammunition. That second weapon has since been connected to a licensed holder from Dangriga who was the victim of a burglary last year.
He was promptly arraigned on firearm and ammunition charges, and very surprisingly, he was granted bail by the sitting magistrate in Dangriga. That's because it is an offense for which remand to the prison is mandatory, especially since one of the weapons was reported stolen. But, bail was granted to "Jay" Krichelich, and it didn't only catch our eye; it also triggered a red flag for law enforcement and judicial authorities.
Reliable sources tell us that the sitting Magistrate had no jurisdiction to grant this defendant bail for these firearm offenses. But, since the decision was made at the level of the bench, it is somewhat irreversible. We are informed that there is an intention to bring it to the attention of the Financial Intelligence Unit and the Attorney General's Ministry. Magistrates are answerable to the Acting Chief Justice, and we are told that the Acting CJ has already been informed of the situation.
Information to 7News is that Krichelich was also found with a significant amount of cash - which police committed to mention to the press.
We'll keep following this case.
