A man facing weapons charges for a gun that was found in a car he rented has been acquitted by the Grand Court, after a judge ruled there wasn’t enough evidence to convict him.
The defendant is Eric Brian Williams Soto, who, together with Justin Kyle Jackson, was arrested on 29 April 2022 following a high-speed chase in a white Toyota Yaris which had been rented by Williams Soto two weeks prior.
The police pursuit, which went on for approximately 10 miles, ended when Jackson, who was driving, lost control of the vehicle, hit the median and ended up in oncoming traffic.
Both men fled on foot, but Williams Soto was arrested a short distance away, while Jackson would lead police on a four-day manhunt.
The handgun was found in the abandoned car which was seized by police.
Williams Soto has consistently denied the charges of possession of an unlicensed firearm. However, Jackson entered guilty pleas to the charges relating to the gun.
During the trial, several police officers were called to give evidence. Each stated that while they saw at least one gun, none of the officers could conclusively say which of the two men had possession of the gun.
On 30 Jan., at the conclusion of the prosecution’s case against Williams Soto, his attorney Keith Myers made a ‘no case’ submission, claiming the prosecution had not demonstrated any evidence linking his client to the gun.
“The Crown’s submission that because the gun was found in the car rented by the defendant, he is prima facie in custody and control of the contents of that vehicle and, by extension, he is in possession of the gun, cannot be supported,” said Justice Marlene Carter, who presided over the matter.
In her judgment, Carter went on to say, “The prosecution has, at this stage, presented no evidence that the firearm was physically in the custody or under the control of this defendant. The submission of no case is upheld.”
Following her ruling, Carter directed the jury to return a verdict of not guilty, thereby acquitting Williams Soto.
However, Williams Soto will not be walking free, as he and Jackson have both been convicted of manslaughter in relation to the shooting death of retired prison officer Harry Elliot Jr. in what the prosecution say was a robbery gone wrong.
They have both been remanded into custody pending their sentencing for that crime.
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