Defense attorney Tamika Harris, who asked the court to grant bail to former Stocks & Securities Limited (SSL) account manager Jean-Ann Panton, argued today that police will not be able to meet her “sensitive” medical needs and care to adequately fulfill them remains in custody.
Wheelchair-bound Panton, who is involved in the alleged multibillion-dollar scam at the investment firm, was charged this morning with three counts of Larceny Act violations, five counts of forgery, five counts of uttering forged documents and three counts of counterfeiting of accounts, three counts of involvement in a criminal transaction and three counts of violating the Cybercrimes Act.
During a bail application in Home Circuit Court today, Harris asked the judge to consider offering Panton bail because of her complex medical issues and the fact that she poses no flight risk.
Panton’s health
Harris told the court that her client, who was born with a dislocated hip, has struggled with health issues since she was two years old and recently underwent her most recent surgery.
“She had a series of 25 surgeries,” the attorney told the court.
Harris further argued that based on the two medical reports she provided, it was obvious that her client was not mobile.
Harris further pointed out that police visited her client’s home and saw evidence of her immobility, including a medical worker placed in her bathroom because she cannot stand.
“She requires wheelchair assistance and the use of a walker as part of her rehabilitation, and she has also had side effects from the antibiotics prescribed, making balance difficult,” the attorney added.
However, she said the antibiotics were stopped last November and a tube removed, but she continues to have lasting effects.
Harris also told the judge that her client must self-inject insulin half an hour before meals and that these medications must be refrigerated.
“The last operation she had she contracted an infection, which made her recovery difficult.
“And it can hardly be said that the environment in a cell would be sterile,” Harris said, while also questioning whether the police station will be able to refrigerate her insulin for her needs.
“All this delicate due diligence, it is very unlikely that a police station will be able to do it,” argued the lawyer.
More information required
The judge, in reply to Harris, pointed out that the report only said that Panton was diabetic and that she had recently had surgery.
Judge Shelly Williams emphasized that the report did not indicate that Panton could not walk or stand.
“I’m not saying you can’t bring it all up, but if you’re going to do it, you need a medical report to support your position,” she said.
In response, Harris agreed to submit a full report to the court.
However, she stressed that her client was a fit and fit candidate for bail and that she was ready to face the music and face the charges.
Harris said her client turned over her travel documents to police beginning Jan. 13, showing she understood the extent of the problems and had no intention of running from the charges.
The prosecutor then said that while the Crown had no position on bail, police had confirmed that she had surrendered her passport and that she had cooperated and made herself available when needed.
However, the judge found that reports were lacking and swayed Panton to have her attorney produce another report.
Fraud
Panton is accused of defrauding 39 SSL clients, including retired Jamaican sprinting legend Usain Bolt and his former manager Norman Peart, out of millions of dollars.
In setting out the allegations, the prosecutor said Panton has been charged in relation to three clients so far, totaling $6.3 million.
The court heard that four other clients have come forward and that the police should collect their statements.
Meanwhile, the court heard that Panton had admitted to stealing from Bolt’s company’s account back in 2012 and that in January she went to a director to clear her conscience and made a confession.
She reportedly asked for a loan at the time and offered her investment expertise.
– Tanesha Mundle
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