Nassau- Former fugitive policeman Salathiel Thompson Jr. won’t be tried for armed robberies he allegedly committed in 1989.
Justice Gregory Hilton ruled that prosecutors had failed to try Thompson within a reasonable, making a fair trial impossible.
Thompson is the son of former Commissioner of Police Salathiel Thompson Sr.
He served 28 years in prison for bank robberies in Florida before his return to The Bahamas on January 9, 2018.
Upon his return, police took him to the Central Detective Unit and charged him with four armed robberies.
Constitutional challenge
Prosecutors intended to try Thompson this year. But his lawyer Alton McKenzie filed a constitutional motion, alleging he could not get a fair trial due to the delay.
Prosecutors alleged that Thompson robbed Carey’s Food Store of $750 on May 12, 1989.
Then, on July 14, 1989, prosecutors alleged that Thompson robbed five people at the Coral Harbour Club.
Thompson allegedly robbed Keith Lightbourne of $6,474.50 of cash, along with $300,000 worth of cheques belonging to Commonwealth Brewery Limited On August 4.
On August 17, 1989, William Estime of a 1985 1.6 SR Toyota Corolla worth $5,000. Estime died in 2010.
None of the robbery victims identified Thompson as the assailant. However, he allegedly confessed to the crimes when questioned by Bahamian police officer Rory Saunders.
At the time, Thompson was in the custody of FBI agents regarding the armed robberies of the Coral Gables Bank and the First Union Bank in Florida.
Attempts to face trial
Thompson lost his appeals in 1993. After losing his appeals, Thompson made numerous requests to serve his time here.
The U.S Department of Justice refused Thompson’s requests for transfer five times. However, the Justice Department also asked if Thompson had pending cases in The Bahamas.
In 2004, The Bahamas consulate replied that Thompson had no outstanding charges or warrants.
In his ruling, Hilton said since 1993 Thompson wanted to deal with his pending cases in The Bahamas.
Hilton said it was not known whether U.S. officials would have granted the transfer, if aware of the pending cases.
The judge said prosecuting authorities knew Thompson’s location at all times.
Despite this, they made no attempts to arraign via video-link or get his consent to conduct the trial in his absence, Hilton ruled.
Hilton said that the time to commence the trial began when police questioned Thompson in 1990. Prosecutors had argued that the clock started when police charged Thompson in 2018.
In justifying his calculation, Hilton said police did no more investigations in the case since 1990.
