ST JAMES, Jamaica — The St James Parish Court has resolved the uncertainty surrounding Mickey Miller’s 17-year-old drug case, confirming that the trial never commenced before it was adjourned sine die.

Sine die means the case ended without a date being set for another hearing.

Miller, hailing from Lilliput in St James, faces charges including possession of cocaine, dealing in, attempting to export, and conspiracy to export the drug. These allegations stem from his arrest in May 2007, involving three pounds and 1.91 ounces of the narcotic.
When the matter came before presiding judge Kaysha Grant-Pryce on Monday, the clerk of the court stated that she had checked court records to ascertain if the trial had begun, but found no evidence of one taking place.

She then gave details of the last four court dates when the matter was before the court before it was adjourned sine die in 2007.

READ: Court to clear up confusion in man’s 2007 drug case

On September 4, 2007, the case was added to the trial list and a trial date of September 26 was set.

Bail was extended for co-accused Ishell Mhlophe, who had by then reportedly absconded. Miller was remanded.

On September 26, a trial date was set for October 30, and a warrant was ordered for Mhlophe. Miller was offered bail in the amount of $500,000.

The clerk also stated that on October 30, a trial date was set for November 15 and Miller’s bail was extended. Additionally, it was noted that a warrant had already been ordered for Mhlophe.

On November 15, the case was adjourned sine die in respect of Miller.

“What does the Crown intend to do with this matter? Judge Grant-Pryce then asked the clerk.

“We intend to set a trial date,” the clerk said, adding that she doesn’t anticipate any problems that would prevent the Crown from trying the case.

Meanwhile, Miller’s attorney, Charles Sinclair, stated that based on what he has seen in the documents that have been disclosed, the Crown cannot establish any conspiracy without the other accused.

The matter was subsequently set for plea and case management hearing on April 18 and Miller’s bail was extended.

The allegations are that on May 18, 2007, Miller and Mhlophe were apprehended by authorities at the Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay, St James while checking in for their departure from the country.

Authorities said Mhlophe was preparing to board a flight to London, England when her suitcase was searched and two plastic bottles were discovered inside. The bottles reportedly contained a substance that tested positive for cocaine.

When questioned by the on-duty officer, Mhlophe reportedly pointed out Miller, who was also waiting in queue to board the London flight, as the person who provided her with the substance.

“Yes, Mickey, you gave it to me,” Mhlophe is reported to have said when asked if Miller was the man who had given her the substance.

When the officer asked Miller if he heard what Mhlophe said, he allegedly replied, “Yuh chat too much…. If you did keep yuh mouth shut, you and your pickney dem would be alright,” addressing Mhlophe.

The two were subsequently arrested and charged.