Indecisiveness at Bounty's trial - Matter subsequently adjourned for later date

The trial for traffic offences brought against dancehall artiste, Rodney 'Bounty Killer' Price, suffered a setback in the Traffic Court in St Andrew yesterday as there was confusion as to what charges were withdrawn on his previous court visit and which charges actually remained.
The matter was eventually adjourned for continuation on July 13.
The trial was marred by several delays including a late start.


Subsequently, several attempts for the trial to proceed failed as the clerk of court and the investigating officer, who had been sworn to give evidence on the day, were indulged in a lengthy crosstalk as the officer told the court he had become bemused as to how the matter would proceed.

"As a result of what happened on the day, on the last occasion ... I am so confused ... I am so confused right now ...," Investigating Officer Sergeant Stanford Riley commented.
The clerk of court later pointed out to Riley that only two charges against Bounty Killer were retained by the crown, dangerous driving and obstructing traffic.
However, Riley later pointed out to the court that he had no knowledge prior to the second trial date that only those two charges remained and the others had been withdrawn.
cross-examined
Riley also explained that on the previous trial date his evidence was not recorded in full as the court refused to do so.
"On the last occasion, I felt an injustice was done to me as a crown witness," he emphasised as the crosstalk continued.

Additionally, Riley told the court he was instructed that he was to be cross-examined by Bounty Killer's attorney, Linda Wright, on the day but because of the confusion with the charges that was affected.
Riley then asked the court for another mention date to be granted as he was no longer in the frame of mind to give evidence on the day. The clerk of court agreed with Riley and suggested to the court that a new date be set for the trial to resume.

Allegations are that on December 29, 2008 at about 3:50 a.m., a police team was on mobile patrol along Eastwood Park Road in St Andrew when they observed a line of cars driving on the road.

A Range Rover which was been driven by Bounty Killer was later observed driving dangerously manoeuvring about in both traffic lanes recklessly and disobeying several traffic lights.
The police patrol car reportedly gave chase but the driver disobeyed signals to stop and continued driving.
The police vehicle later caught up with the Range Rover at another stop light and blocked its path.
Bounty Killer is alleged to have later exited the vehicle as police officers approached him. He was reportedly asked to accompany the policemen to a station as it was felt that he was driving under the influence.

However, it is claimed that Bounty Killer refused to accompany them or to do a breathalyser test.
It was said that members of Bounty Killer's entourage, who were travelling in other vehicles closely behind him, encouraged him not to cooperate with the police.
The police are said to have later sought the assistance of colleagues who responded in numbers as at least ten units were said to have offered assistance.

It is further alleged that Bounty locked up his vehicle that was parked in the middle of the road and then rode off as a passenger on a motor bike.
Later in the day, he was said to have been issued with seven tickets for disobeying traffic lights and one for failure to comply to a breathalyser test.
Two summons were later served on him for dangerous driving and obstructing traffic.
In total, Bounty Killer was initially charged with 10 offences.