Panel Upholds Drug Conviction and Sentence

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – The Court of Appeal has upheld the conviction and sentences of a man who was convicted and sentenced of drug offenses in his absence.

Triven Butler was sentenced to 18 months’ imprisonment and fined $7,500.

Police arrested Butler in 2017 after another person was caught trying to smuggle two kilos of cocaine to Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Butler was not present when the drugs were found in the traveller’s luggage. However, his fingerprints were found on the plastic the cocaine was packaged in.

Magistrate Samuel McKinney contined the trial in Butler’s absence after he stopped coming to court after the prosecution closed its case.

In dismissing the appeal, the Court said it would be catastrophic for criminal proceedings if a defendant could upend a concluded trial by not showing up for trial.