….as Lawyers for US fugitive accused of murder to appeal decision
Justice JoAnn Barlow on Friday ruled that the Magistrate’s Court has the authority to proceed in the extradition case of Troy Thomas which is to continue there (Providence Magistrate’s Courts) on June 26.
Thomas, of South Ozone Park, Queens, New York, who is accused of murdering Keith Frank on December 11, 2011, in the US, was earlier in this year arrested in Guyana by ranks of the Guyana Police Force.
At the High Court on Friday, attorney for Thomas, Nigel Hughes requested a three weeks stay in the matter at the High Court which would allow him time to appeal the judge’s decision.
This was objected to by Solicitor General, Kim Kyte Thomas who stated that their is no merit for the appeal.
The stay was denied by Judge Barlow who stated that the time leading up to the continuation date is sufficient enough for Hughes to make his appeal.
Thomas’ lawyers ( Nigel Hughes, Darren Wade and Bernard DaSilva) had moved to the High Court in a bid to block his extradition case on the grounds that the Magistrate’s Court had no jurisdiction to hear the case.
Attorney-at-Law Wade had disputed that the extradition treaty between the United States of America (USA) and Guyana was never introduced into local law, and therefore it would have no effect, alluding to several cases in the past.
Thomas was being hunted by the New York Police Department, and a wanted bulletin was issued for him in connection with the murder of Frank after an altercation outside of a South Richmond Hill party.
It was then disclosed by US law enforcement agents that Thomas had fled the country to Canada within hours of his alleged crime.
Shortly after, the man reportedly traveled to Guyana before the wanted bulletin which was issued by the US had reached Interpol.
