Brady's fate in the balance

DETECTIVES IN St. Ann will decide early next week what action, if any, will be taken against attorney-at-law Harold Brady whose licensed gun was found recently in his vehicle which was being driven by an ex-soldier.

St. Ann crime officer, Deputy Superintendent Wilford Gayle, said yesterday Mr. Brady was questioned last week, and that he and other senior detectives would be examining statements before they take any action.

Meanwhile, charged with illegal possession of firearm and ammunition are Franklyn Smith Shaw, 34, formerly of the Second Battalion Jamaica Regiment, Jamaica Defence Force (JDF). The ex-soldier was booted from the JDF last month.

Others charged with him are Marlon Nugent, 25, of Gilligan Avenue, Kingston 2, Albert Kelly, 24, and Lorraine Brown, 25, both of McIntyre Villa, Kingston 16.

According to the police, on Sunday, August 5, the four were travelling in a Mitsubishi Challenger motor vehicle along Moneague main road in St. Ann when the police stopped and searched the vehicle. A Heckler and Koch pistol, plus a magazine with four 9-mm cartridges were found.

Investigations later revealed that the vehicle was registered in Mr. Brady's name. The gun was also issued to the attorney in June last year at the Half-Way Tree Police Station. But the former Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) caretaker for South East St. Andrew said in a statement he was off the island at the time when his licensed firearm was found in possession of the four.

He also said he never gave Mr. Shaw the authority to use his vehicle or firearm.

Under the Firearm Act, in the event a licensed firearm holder is leaving the island, he is obliged either to leave his gun at a police station for safe-keeping or at his house where a vault should be in place.

If that firearm is found in the possession of another person, the licensed firearm holder can be charged with aiding and abetting the use and possession of an illegal gun.

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