Controversial Clergyman, the Reverend Merrick Al Miller this morning pleaded not guilty to perverting the course of justice.
Miller is on trial at the Half Way Tree Criminal Court after the country’s then most wanted man, Christopher Dudus Coke, was found in his company in 2010.
Today lawyers for outgoing Police Commissioner, Owen Ellington and retired Deputy Commissioner Jevene Bent, indicated that their clients are refusing to cooperate with defense attorneys who want them to submit a statement to assist the defence of Miller.
Retired DCP Bent appeared in court this morning with her attorney Charles Williams.
Mr. Ellington was absent but was represented by attorney Chris Honeywell.
Honeywell told the court that Mr. Ellington will not voluntarily give a statement to the defence, because it was he who initiated the prosecution of Reverend Miller.
He says Mr. Ellington will however be willing to serve the court as a resource person in the matter and would also make himself available to be cross examined.
Responding, Miller’s attorney, Queens Counsel Jacqueline Samuels Brown signaled that Mr. Ellington and Mrs. Bent will be subpoenaed by the defence and cross examined.
The trial got underway this morning with Prosecutor Lori Montague outlining the allegations against the clergyman.
The prosecution has called their first witness, Detective Sergeant Winston Radcliffe.
Resident Magistrate Simone Wolfe-Reeceis presiding over the trial.
Al Miller was charged in June 2010 after Coke was found in his Sports Utility Vehicle along the Mandela High Way.
The former Tivoli Gardens don was being sought by the police to face an extradition hearing.
This after the United States requested that he be sent there to answer criminal charges.
Coke had escaped a police dragnet and was on the run for a month.
He’s currently serving time in a US prison following his extradition to that country in mid-2010.
