KINGSTON, Jamaica — A routine drug case took an unexpected turn Tuesday after a senior citizen appeared in the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court and admitted to owning nine pounds of ganja — a claim the presiding judge suspects may be shielding others.
The accused, Van Edwards, is facing multiple charges, including illegal possession and distribution of ganja. However, his admission raised red flags when he told the court the drugs were found at a property occupied not only by himself, but also by his daughter and several others.
When asked why he needed a lawyer, Edwards candidly responded, “To beg for me.” That prompted Judge Sanchia Burrell to briefly halt proceedings, allowing Edwards to speak with an attorney before returning to request state-appointed counsel.
Judge Burrell questioned whether Edwards was pressured into accepting blame for the benefit of others, stating that the circumstances hinted at deeper issues beyond what was presented. The case is now set for a case management hearing on June 24.
