NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The trial for 55-year-old former Royal Bahamas Police Force Reserve Sergeant Dwayne DeCosta, who is accused of unlawful sexual intercourse with a 13-year-old girl back in July 2018, continued yesterday with court
Attorney Murrio Ducille, who represents Decosta, objected to the Crown using surveillance footage from the East Street South Police Station and the nearby gas station as evidence in the trial.
Ducille argued that the use of the footage was not in accordance with the Evidence Act of The Bahamas.
A witness, who is a police officer at the East Street South Police Station, gave evidence in court yesterday and asserted that the equipment used to facilitate surveillance footage was in fairly good working order.
The witness further added that the cameras were fully functioning on the date and time of the alleged incident and told the court that he has had two years of experience in assisting in the maintenance of the surveillance devices.
However, the witness noted that the footage obtained from the nearby gas station was 30 minutes ahead of time.
Under cross examination of the witness, Ducille argued that the witness was incapable of giving evidence.
The attorney argued that the witness was not an expert in DVD or DVR; did not know how technology was calibrated; and could not provide a certificate to establish the working conditions of the camera.
Ducille also took exception with the documentation of the surveillance footage, stating that although the witness’s signature was present on the compact disc, there was no record of date when the CD was produced.
The trial continues today before Justice Cheryl Grant-Thompson.
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