Dudus strengthens legal team

Former Tivoli don to return to court Nov 16

BY HAROLD BAILEY Observer writer

Wednesday, September 08, 2010

NEW YORK, USA — US Federal Judge Robert P Patterson yesterday set November 16 for Christopher 'Dudus' Coke's next court appearance when the former Tivoli Gardens don appeared in a Manhattan court.

But the most significant development at yesterday's appearance was the bolstering of Coke's defence team with high-profile attorneys Frank Doddato and Steve Rosen.

They now join two other prominent attorneys — Steve Zissou and Elizabeth Macedonio, who were hired last month.

Coke appeared in good spirits, although one of his attorneys described as "uncivilised", the conditions under which Coke has been held for over two months.

The accused drug lord has been in custody here since June after he waived his right to an extradition hearing in Kingston on drugs and weapons charges.

Meanwhile, reports of new documents emerging under seal in respect of the charges against Coke seem to relate to a request which was made for a private investigator to be retained on his behalf.

A source close to the case told the Observer that problems arose over the issue, as money to hire the investigator would have to be borne by the US Government, since Coke's assets have been frozen by the Jamaican Government.

With the addition of the two new attorneys, this matter seems to have been settled.

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COMMENTS (9)

Stanley Palmer
9/8/2010

In my opinion, Dudus will not 'sing' no matter what. Unless it is on some small fry. By the seriousness of the charges, he does not have much to gain by flipping.

PL BOGLE
9/8/2010

Anyone who supports & defends the poor gets my vote. However, Dudus & the government of Jamaica's actions Lead to the death of 73 poor & misguided youths when it could have been avoided. Afterwards Dudus then turned himself over to the Americans. For me its crystal clear that he only wanted to save his own skin. @Elli Deedo if you had lived in Brooklyn from the late 80's to 2006 then your comments would be different. PEACE.

Hope Alive
9/8/2010

In the 18 years of PNP rule, there was a counsellor by the name of Desmond McKenzie who is now the Mayor of Kingston.

george watson
9/8/2010

I think with this high profile defense team Dudus is only killing his own hand. Doesn't he think that however the judge might tell the jury to disregard it, they will wonder how he came up with so much money to hire these top lawyers.
He might help his case more if he struck a deal with the district attorneys and tell everything he knows that they might snare some of the big fish.
In the meantime people "in runnings"had better beware how they travel to the U.S. less they held up there.

Ramon Castro
9/8/2010

@David Armstrong -- Most of Dudus wealth were obtained during the 18 years of PNP government. During those 18 years, how much connection had he with the JLP in order to secure those government contracts. My sense is -- Dudus will take a plea deal once the evidence are presented -- so there won't be a need for him to testify. Don't for any beans to be spilled.

Elli Deedo
9/8/2010

I wish him all the best of success, and prosperity. Our Government in Jamaica have no evidence to support the allegations against him, according to what we wer made to understand..The Americans have a theory evidence to support their claim..so let's see how it goe's. I'am now back on Coke's side!! Strange?" not at all: There is not much justice for the Blacks in America, according to a Top White Barrister there, and a former Governor. I'am hoping he will be freed..And I'am against Criminality.

Sun Child
9/8/2010

I sense a silence over the land.
Maybe people are waiting until election to speak.
And in all this silence it would also be good if the Head one did some serious reflection and made a correspondingly appropriate decision. That would make it so easy.

David Armstrong
9/8/2010

It seems like some entity has a vested interest in making sure that Dudus is not convicted. Could this entity be the Jamaican government? If Dudus is convicted then he could beome a bigger liability for the government as he starts to spill the beans on them. His conviction could also initiate the kind of mayhem we saw before he was captured. By the way is the Jamaican govt. or the JLP footing the bill for his high-profile attorneys? Indirectly they are because they help established his wealtth.

Words from afar
9/8/2010

Dudus had to prove that the funds to pay his lawyers were obtained legally. Where did this 'legal’ money come from. The only place I can think of is from Ja Government contracts that he got in the pass, and how ‘legal’ were these contracts anyway? Would the OCG approve of them? Is Jamaica still paying for his defense as we were in the Mannat affair? I would hate to know that his defense is from the tax from my last pay cheque. I don’t think he has a truly ‘legal’ penny to his name.

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Police threat level at extreme

Dudus strengthens legal team