On Monday the Bladen 12 trial commenced in a courtroom at the CB Hyde or Complex Building.
They are the 4 lawmen and 8 alleged narcos accused of conspiring to land a drug plane in November of 2021, and facilitating the transportation of more than 1500 pounds of cocaine into the country.
Today the trial within a trial continued where two witnesses were called to the stand. Jomarie Lanza reports:
The trial of the Bladen 12 continued today where the accused men were arraigned jointly for acting together to land an illegal aircraft, conspiracy to land an illegal plane, facilitating the movement of a controlled drug with intent to supply, and being in possession of 1,682 pounds of cocaine, and assorted weapons. George Ferguson was also charged an additional 8 other charges in relation to prohibited firearms and ammunition. As we reported yesterday the trial began with another trial within a trial, so The prosecutor Alifah Elrington called Corporal Richard Arnold to the stand testify. She further explains what occurred during this morning's session
Alifah Elrington, Prosecutor
"I don't know if I want to talk about what that witness did on the Stan but what I will say is this. There are a couple things that are happening with respect to this voider. One Juan Esparza Sanchez said certain things in the field so that is the process that we are going through. One of the other defendants gave a caution statement so the voider will address both those things. The admissions that were made in the field and then the caution statement made by another accused. When the witness was being cross examined as far as I am concerned the witness did very well In the cross examination I wouldn't speak to anything else as far as I can say he addressed each question that he needed to address and he answered each question properly."
According to Elirington the purpose of this trial within a trial is to ensure that the caution statements were given voluntarily and the two accused were not threatened to do so. She says that she has prepared up to 6 different witnesses to address particular things that the defense may require.
Alifah Elrington, Prosecutor
"There are two accused persons. One gave statements in the field so that's the first aspect of what we are dealing with in the voider, he did not give a caution statement he made utterance after being cautioned and we are trying to ensure that those statements that are made are tendered that's what the voider is addressing at this point in time. The second accused gave a caution statement and our position is that it was given voluntarily the crown has to ensure that any statement given by an accused that can incriminate them in any way is given voluntarily of their own free will that they were not promised anything they were not beaten in any way they were not any of those things so that is what we are addressing."
While Elrington cannot say whether the voider will roll into the trial itself she says it may take 2-3 days to address the void dire. We also sought comment from the defense Leroy Banner today who cross examined two witnesses that were called to the stand and here's what he told us
Leroy Banner
"Tomorrow because, the voider is still going on so I can't comment until tomorrow. Tomorrow."
The trial continues tomorrow at 9:00.
