NASSAU, BAHAMAS – Lead defense attorney for Frank Smith, Keith Knight, on Friday contended that there is no evidence to support the claim that Smith met with Barbara Hanna before she was awarded the contract for the cleaning services at the Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH).
Wrapping up his submissions, Knight said when Smith and Hanna met is of paramount importance because it is the basis of their entire case.
Knight said if Smith met Hanna after the contract was signed, there is no way he could have extorted her for a contract she already had.
In her testimony Hanna said she meet Smith in 2016, however, the Crown submitted that she was mistaken and the meeting took place in 2015, despite Hanna saying 2016.
Knight said if it really was the case that Hanna and Smith met in 2015, as the crown is now claiming, telephone log evidence that was submitted would have been from 2015 and not 2016.
Knight contended it was the court’s duty to stop the trial as the prosecution has not proven their case and the virtual complaint is unreliable and untruthful.
However, in his closing submission, Lead attorney for the Crown, Edward Jenkins, QC, said despite what the defense may claim, Hanna never once strayed from the fact that she was extorted and that part of her testimony never changed and Smith does have a case to answer to
Magistrate Ferguson-Pratt will make her decision on February 1.
If Ferguson-Pratt rules against the no case submission, the trial will continue and the defense will decide if they will call witnesses and if Smith will take the stand. If she rules in favour of the no case submission Frank Smith will be acquitted of all charges.
