Defense Attorney Christopher Townsend chided a Detective Corporal for failing to follow best practices, as he testified against Portland businessman, Everton ‘Beachy Stout’ McDonald in the Home Circuit Court on Tuesday.
‘Beachy Stout’ and another man, Oscar Barnes are on trial for the July 2020 murder of his second wife, Tonia Hamilton McDonald.
During cross examination on Tuesday at the Supreme Court, it was revealed that the detective gave a statement concerning the matter on September 20, 2023.
That’s two days after the trial started on September 18, 2023.
Robian Williams reports.
The policeman told the court he was instructed to write the statement by his superior.
But attorney Christopher Townsend submitted that the statement was long overdue and that he only gave the statement because he was told to.
The detective answered, saying he wrote the statement as the need arose.
Mr. Townsend pointed out that the statement made no specific reference to the case.
The detective’s response was, “maybe not”.
Mr. Townsend asked the detective if the information contained in the statement came from his notebook where he made jottings throughout the investigation.
The detective said no.
He went on to say that he didn’t consult with his notebook though it was available.
When pressed further, the detective told the court that he didn’t have the notebook on the particular day.
Mr. Townsend asked, “So, you don’t follow best practices?
The witness responded, “you are correct in part Counsel, I didn’t use my notebook as reference sir. But I don’t put inaccurate information in statements.”
In his statement he spoke about collecting a digital forensic report from the police’s Communication Forensic and Cyber Crime Division, CFCD.
But he admits there were no reference number for the items recorded in the statement.
In response, Mr. Townsend suggested that the detective’s statement can apply to any case.
Mr. Townsend asked the detective if he came to court with his superior, suggesting that he discussed the evidence with him prior to testifying.
The detective responded, “We were assisted here. He was in my company. But I don’t do those things. There’s no collusion here.”
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