'Dudus' prepares for trial

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Steve Zissou, one of two high-profile attorneys representing Coke, told the Observer in a weekend interview that prosecutors are still providing the defence with material, despite the expiration of a court-ordered date for this to be done.

 

He said, however, that "there is nothing unusual about this", and that the defence team will be ready for Coke's next scheduled court appearance on September 7, although more material evidence is to be turned over to the defence.

Without elaborating, Zissou said that "there is likely to be dispute over some of the material".

This seems to have bolstered the defence's belief that they will be able to clear Coke.

"We will prevail at trial," Zissou told the Observer.

Except for motions of a schedule and the possible setting of a trial date, Zissou said he does not expect a great deal to happen during Coke's next court appearance.

Coke has been in custody here since June after being extradited on allegations of drugs and illegal weapons charges. Prosecutors here have maintained that "the evidence against Coke is compelling and creditable".

The extradition proceedings, which spanned a nine-month period and caused a diplomatic stand-off between Jamaica and the United States, triggered civil unrest in a section of Kingston, the Jamaican capital, in May.

More than 70 persons, including a soldier, were killed when the security forces went into Coke's heavily barricaded Tivoli Gardens stronghold in order to arrest him and to restore order after gunmen loyal to Coke had launched unprovoked attacks on police and soldiers.

Coke escaped during the May 24 operation but was captured on June 23. He waived his right to an extradition hearing and was flown to the US on June 24.