11/27/2017
START DATE
END DATE
1/23/2018
Tafari Wilson v Fiona Miller (Police Sergeant)
COURT:
LAW:
JUDGE(S):
CLAIMANT'S LAWYER:
DEFENDANT'S LAWYER:
The Supreme Court of Bermuda (Appellate Jurisdiction)
Criminal Law, Drug Trafficking, Appellate Review
Hon. Justice Delroy B. Duncan
Mr. Marc Daniels (Marc Geoffrey)
Mrs. Christal Hanna (Director of Public Prosecutions)
FACTS OF THE CASE:
Tafari Wilson was convicted in the Magistrates' Court for conspiracy to import cannabis into Bermuda. The charge stemmed from a package containing 427.5 grams of cannabis, which Wilson collected at L.F. Wade International Airport. The prosecution argued that Wilson knew the package contained drugs, relying on circumstantial evidence, including shipping details and his actions when receiving the package. Wilson denied knowledge of the contents and claimed he was merely collecting the package for his mother. On appeal, Wilson argued that the Magistrate failed to properly direct himself on circumstantial evidence and the legal implications of "lies" in testimony.
SUMMARY:
(1) Did the Magistrate fail to provide adequate reasoning for the conviction? (2) Should Magistrates provide detailed legal directions equivalent to those given to juries? (3) Was the circumstantial evidence direction legally sufficient? (4) Was there a miscarriage of justice due to the Magistrate's treatment of Wilson's testimony?
OUTCOMES:
Appeal dismissed; conviction upheld.
RULED IN FAVOUR OF:
Fiona Miller (Police Sergeant).
PLAINTIFF/CLAIMANT
DEFENDANT:
DURATION (DAYS):
ISSUES:
RELEVANCE:
RULING:
RULING TYPE:
CASES CITED:
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Tafari Wilson v Fiona Miller (Police Sergeant)
Tafari Wilson was convicted in the Magistrates' Court for conspiracy to import cannabis into Bermuda. The charge stemmed from a package containing 427.5 grams of cannabis, which Wilson collected at L.F. Wade International Airport. The prosecution argued that Wilson knew the package contained drugs, relying on circumstantial evidence, including shipping details and his actions when receiving the package. Wilson denied knowledge of the contents and claimed he was merely collecting the package for his mother. On appeal, Wilson argued that the Magistrate failed to properly direct himself on circumstantial evidence and the legal implications of "lies" in testimony.