Barbara Gayle, Staff Reporter

A trial date could not be set yesterday in the trafficking in person case against former church deacon, 46-year-old Donovan Jones, because the prosecution's file has not been completed.

Jones, along with 18-year-old James Rodgers, 18-year-old Shamar Morgan and a juvenile, is charged jointly with five counts of trafficking in person, involving a 14-year-old schoolgirl.

Justice Marva McIntosh extended their bail for them to return to the Home Circuit Court on November 3 when a trial date will be set.

The allegations are that the four sexually molested the girl in April and May and video-recorded the incidents. When the four accused appeared in court yesterday, Crown Counsel Joan Barnett said there were two outstanding statements. She said the statements would be ready by November 3.

Attorney-at-law Paul Beswick who is representing Jones and Rodgers made an application for the motor vehicle in which the incident is alleged to have taken place to be returned to the owner. He said it was in the custody of the police since July and it was the only motor vehicle which the owner had.

Vehicle to be tested

The prosecutor disclosed that the motor vehicle was sent to the Government's Forensic Laboratory for testing. The prosecutor said the vehicle was not yet tested but she would make contact with the laboratory to ascertain whether it was going to be an exhibit in the case.

The judge said that if a difficulty arose in relation to the motor vehicle, then the matter could be taken before the court.

Attorneys-at-law Tom Tavares-Finson and George Clue are representing the other two accused.