Lawyer Connell requests forensic exam of firearm

A lawyer who is representing the son of a senior police officer on a gun and ammunition charge, has requested forensic examination of the firearm.

Grant Connell appeared at the Serious Offences Court on Tuesday, November 14, the day after his client’s arraignment, and made an application for forensic examination on a gun, for which his client Ashano Benjamin has been jointly charged with illegal possession.

The day before, Connell had been granted an application for disclosure, which is to be submitted within one week.

Chief Magistrate Rechanne Browne told Connell that if a forensic report is not included in the disclosure, then he can return to court and make the application.

Benjamin, a 26-year-old tax officer and son of Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Christopher Benjamin was jointly charged with Kemani Gould, a 27-year-old labourer, that between October 7 and October 28, 2023 at Arnos Vale, they had in their possession one .40 S&W pistol without a license issued under the Firearm Act.

They were also charged that between the same

dates and in the same place, they had in their possession six rounds of .40 mm ammunition without a license issued under the Firearm Act.

Benjamin was accompanied to court on Monday by over a dozen of his co-workers and well-wishers, who SEARCHLIGHT understands held a prayer session outside the court room, and waited until Benjamin’s matter had been dealt with, before they left the court.

The men were granted bail in the sum of $15,000 each during their arraignment.

Upon their departure, his co-workers gathered around Benjamin while escorting him out of the court as he hid his face from photographers.

Gould is represented by Lawyer Israel Bruce.

The trial is set to begin on November 27, 2023.