The family of murder accused Ian Knowles, who one week ago fought to vindicate their loved one, is now calling for justice after his unchallenged bail was revoked.
It took the 12-man jury three hours to come up with a 10 οΎ– 2 guilty verdict, forcing Justice Stephen Isaacs to declare a hung jury on Wednesday, June 26, 2006.
Justice Isaacs explained that the ruling meant that Knowles was not convicted of murder; however, the prosecution has the option of calling Knowles back for a second trial, which senior council for the Crown Vernal Collie said they intend to do.
Without objection by the prosecution, Knowles was granted $20,000 bail with two sureties.
Shortly after 3 p.m. yesterday, attorney Carlson Shurland called a press conference with Knowles’ family to express their displeasure with the recent development.
Shurland explained that both Ian’s brother and mother went in to a Freeport police station to sign the bail, but were informed that the prosecution made an application to have bail revoked.
Knowles was on trial in Freeport for the April 2004 murder of Jermaine “Bobo” Thompson in Abaco.
Thompson, 30, was stabbed 12 times, wrapped in duct tape, tied up and chained.
“Our understanding is that the prosecution made an application to have whatever bail that was granted by the court revoked,” Shurland explained.
Adding that it came as a total surprise, Shurland said that he was never informed of the intention to have bail revoked.
He also insinuated that the action was influenced by a personal vendetta by Kelli Albury and others.
According to the affidavit, the prosecution claims that the reason for the aforementioned application was because while on remand, the accused via cellphone threatened both Albury and Natisha Glinton.
The affidavit further said that while in custody, police offices confiscated a cellphone from Knowles.
It was also mentioned that during the trial, both Omar Johnson and Etienne Cartwright testified under oath that their lives were threatened by Knowles.
Johnson testified that Knowles not only threatened his life, but the lives of his wife and daughter.
“After that I get scared, I wasn’t trying to get kill,” he said. “I have a wife and a daughter.”
However, Knowles’ lawyer disagrees with the reason given for the application.
“This isn’t because Ian Knowles intends to kill anybody or stalk someone, it is about people in Abaco putting pressure on the system,” explained Shurland.
Both Knowles’ mother and brother are upset over the turn of events.
Noting that they have been through a lot physically, emotionally and financially over the past few weeks with the trial, both feel it is unfair to have to go through what they are going through right now.
By ANGELO ARMBRISTER, Freeport News Reporter
