The court hearing began on Monday after the men were arrested following an issue of a warrant of apprehension by the Chief Magistrate, Herbert Lord, on the request of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Both men were given a diplomatic letter the following day, Saturday, and told that they were wanted by the United States Government.

(For more information on this article, see page 1 of issue #1973, dated Wednesday July 20, under the title, ?GOB grabs Pawpa for Uncle Sam?.)

The defense counsel – Dean Barrow (Leader of the Opposition), Ellis Arnold and Dickie Bradley (Leader of Government Business in the Senate), decided to deal with the extradition forms one at a time, noting that they came in two separate bundles. They began with Andrew.

At the end of the hearing on Monday, Barrow, the lead attorney, requested bail for Joswant, telling the court at the beginning of the hearing that there was no one by the name of Joswant in the courtroom.

Solicitor General Elson Kaseke, representing the United States, argued that the black-and-white photograph included in the extradition form, was that of Floyd, who was in the courtroom.

Chief Magistrate Lord then heard a submission from Barrow, who asked him to consider and entertain an ?inter partes? hearing for the person considered as Joswant Brown. Barrow explained that they would have documents and testimonies to prove that Floyd Brown?s particulars are completely different from those of Joswant, and that Floyd was never known as ?Joswant.?

Kaseke, representing the United States, stated, however, that the photo included in the extradition papers is a ?spitting image? of Floyd. He also said that when Manuel Luis Rena, who was busted for cocaine and who is now cooperating with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), made telephone calls to the person Joswant Brown, the caller I.D. showed the name ?Floyd.?

Barrow further added that the court had no jurisdiction over Floyd, as the papers clearly stated that the U.S government wanted a person named Joswant Brown.

Chief Magistrate Lord on Tuesday received case files from both the defense and prosecution on similar cases from high courts in the U.S. Lord set the next court date for next week Thursday, July 28, when he will be listening to the substantive case and then making a ruling on the Joswant/Floyd matter after listening to the prima facie case.

Kaseke made a plea for an adjournment, so that he could have time enough to proceed with the case and go into the full extradition forms. He also disagreed with bail, adding that unless the case is heard, the men could not apply for bail.

Kaseke produced a colour photo of Joswant, but he did not present it in court.

(A prima-facie hearing is a means for both the defense and prosecution to acquire evidence and try to prove beyond a reasonable doubt to the learned judge why the accused should or should not be prosecuted.)