Two weeks ago, Senior Magistrate Sharon Frazer dismissed charges of possession of prohibited material, a camouflage bulletproof vest, against University of Belize lecturer, Leon Leslie, 27, of Linda Vista Estate, Mile 2, Western Highway, Belize City, after the policeman who arrested him failed to appear in court for trial.
Now, however, the charges have been reinstated.
Leslie appeared in the #6 Magistrate’s Court today on the same charge and was offered and met bail of $2,000. Magistrate Dorothy Flowers took no plea because it was not clear how the matter would be tried – whether summarily or on indictment.
Leslie was charged in January after officers of the Gang Suppression Unit (GSU) found the vest in the trunk of his gold Nissan Pathfinder vehicle, which was parked on Periwinkle Street in Belize City. Neither Leslie nor anyone else was present at the time.
Arresting officer Constable Ivan Galvez did not make it to court on July 20 and so Senior Magistrate Sharon Frazer dismissed the charges. But Galvez told reporters today that he did not receive his summons to testify due to an apparent “mix-up.”
Leslie is represented by Senior Counsel Ellis Arnold. He will return to court on August 25, 2011.