LATEST on Vybz Kartel Trial: Judge instructs jury on integrity of cell phone evidence....“The integrity of the phone was compromised between the 3rd and 22nd of October [2010],"Justice Campbell added.

Tuesday, March 11, 2014 | 1:36 PM    

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Justice Lennox Campbell Tuesday morning stepped on the accelerator and is breezing through his summation of the evidence presented in the murder trial of entertainer Vybz Kartel and four co-accused now under way at the Home Circuit Court in downtown Kingston.

Justice Campbell told the 11-member jury panel about the custody of a cell phone, which was taken from the accused, and asked them to consider whether or not the defence’s claim that there was a gap in the chain of custody was valid.

“Proof of chain of custody is not a legal requirement nor is it fatal to the Crown’s case, unless it compromises its integrity, this is an issue which goes to reliance,” Justice Campbell said.

“The integrity of the phone was compromised between the 3rd and 22nd of October [2010],"Justice Campbell added.

He told the jury that Sergeant Patrick Linton admitted that the phone was accessed on the ninth, 10th, 11th, 13th, 14th, and 15th of October.

“If there is a gap in continuity. If the jury is not satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that the phone was compromised it can still be admitted. But bear in mind, the longer the phone was compromised the lower the value as evidence.” more