Christopher Dudus Coke new sentencing date to be set after May 22 evidentiary hearing

The highly-anticipated sentencing for reputed drug lord, Christopher "Dudus" Coke, did not take place Friday afternoon as was widely expected, in a Manhattan Federal Court in the United States.

The sentencing hearing was again put off, as there was disagreement over what allegations will be used in determining how long Coke spends behind bars.


Coke pleaded guilty last year August to racketeering and conspiracy charges stemming from his involvement in trafficking large quantities of  ganja and cocaine as well as approving the stabbing of a ganja dealer in New York.

He faces a maximum 23 years in prison.

In Friday’s hearing which lasted under an hour, Federal Judge, Robert P. Patterson determined that the prosecution's allegations of murder and torture in its sentencing memorandum were not supported by evidence.

He therefore ruled that federal prosecutors must prove that Coke's life of violence extended far beyond his admitted crimes.

Coke's defence lawyers have also denounced letters which were reportedly sent to the court by several Jamaicans who alleged gang rape, domestic slavery and torture of women.

An evidentiary hearing is scheduled for 8:30 Jamaican time on the morning of May 22 in New York, to decide what aspects of the evidence will be used in determining the sentence imposed on Coke.
May 22 is two days before the second anniversary of the Tivoli incursion by the security forces to execute a warrant for Coke's arrest.

It's expected that during the evidentiary hearing, the prosecution will provide further evidence to back up its allegations.

Following the May 22 hearing, a new date for sentencing should be set.
It's the fourth time that Coke's sentencing is being put off in seven months since his guilty plea.
It was previously postponed from December 8 last year to January 17.

However Coke's lawyers sought a further delay to February 28.
That date was again shifted to March 16 to allow the defence team to consider a submission by the prosecution.

Last September Coke penned a seven-page letter to Judge Patterson accepting responsibility for his actions and asking that he be sentenced below the guidelines.
But U.S. prosecutors responded in a 30 page memorandum that recommended the maximum sentence for him.

Coke has been in custody in the U.S. since June 2010, after waiving his rights to an extradition hearing.