Man to defend self in Lopez drugging trial

THE TRIAL of Steve McCalla, 29, who is charged with the drugging of Mrs. Beverly Lopez, president of the Jamaica Exporters' Association, took an unusual turn yesterday when he told the court he would defend himself as he did not want attorney, Lloyd McFarlane, to represent him.

Mrs. Lopez was half-way through her evidence at the in camera trial in the Home Circuit Court, when McCalla told the court he intended to defend himself.

Mr. McFarlane was representing McCalla on a legal aid assignment.

Mr. Justice Cooke put off the case until Monday to give McCalla time to prepare his case. The judge told the jury that McCalla had indicated his wish to represent himself and he was granting him that wish.

The practice is that when an accused person is representing himself, the judge gives the defence every assistance in presenting its case.

McCalla is accused of drugging and demanding money from Mrs. Lopez, at the Hilton Kingston Hotel, New Kingston, on November 1, last year.

McCalla is charged with five counts, one of which is that he administered a stupefying drug to Mrs. Lopez on November 1 last year with intent.

The Crown is alleging that Mrs. Lopez was lured to the hotel by a man with a British accent who claimed he was a journalist and wanted to interview her. When she went there, a man brandished a knife and with the help of a woman, overpowered Mrs. Lopez and forced her to drink a sedative. She was tied up and left in the hotel. She subsequently discovered that $3,000, her credit cards and cheque book were stolen.

Also, McCalla is charged with administering the stupefying drug with intent to enable him to extort money from Mrs. Lopez.

He is charged, too, with demanding money with menaces with intent to steal. The allegations are that McCalla, by menaces or by force, demanded $400,000 from Mrs Lopez with intent to steal. He is charged with forgery, in that with intent to defraud, he forged a cheque on her account for $50,000. The fifth count charges McCalla with simple larceny -- stealing nine credit cards and $3,000 from Mrs. Lopez.

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