Kingston, Jamaica – Lawyer Rita Allen Brown is celebrating a recent Supreme Court victory where her Guyanese client, Akeesha Piggott, was acquitted of firearms-related charges stemming from the August 2023 police shooting death of her boyfriend, Orane “Thug Fashion” Wright.
The acquittal came on June 28 after a trial that began on May 8.
Mr. Piggott, who was in the car with Mr. Wright at the time of the incident, was also wounded in the gunfire. The shooting took place on Knightsdale Drive in St. Andrew.
“On August 17, 2023, my client was a passenger in a Mark X motor vehicle driven by Mr. Wright. Upon arrival at Knightsdale Drive, the vehicle was intercepted by police from the Counter Terrorism and Organised Crime Unit. An explosion was heard, and my client and Mr. Wright were found suffering from gunshot wounds. My client was taken to Kingston Public Hospital and admitted, but Mr. Wright later died from his injuries,” Allen Brown explained.
“The police informed the court that they obtained a search warrant and searched my client’s apartment later that day, where they found firearms and ammunition. My client was subsequently charged with possession of a prohibited weapon and unauthorized possession of ammunition. However, it is notable that neither my client nor the other occupants of the apartment were present during the alleged search. There were no independent witnesses, and no one on my client’s behalf witnessed the search,” the lawyer continued.
Allen Brown pointed out that the court focused on whether the prosecution witnesses were credible and whether the circumstantial evidence solely implicated her client.
“The court found that the circumstantial evidence presented by the prosecution did not convincingly show that my client had knowledge, custody, and control of the firearms allegedly found in the apartment. As such, the element of possession was not proven, and the prosecution did not meet its burden. As a result, my client was acquitted,” Allen Brown stated.
At the same time, the court found that the entry and search of Ms. Piggott’s apartment, although irregular, were not unlawful.
“I think the trial in this case has been remarkable, and I’m pleased that this case is over, allowing my client to return to her normal life,” Allen Brown concluded.
Key Points:
- Acquittal: Akeesha Piggott acquitted of firearms-related charges.
- Incident: Police shooting on August 17, 2023, leading to the death of Orane “Thug Fashion” Wright.
- Legal Representation: Lawyer Rita Allen Brown.
- Key Evidence: Court ruled the prosecution did not meet its burden of proof.
- Trial Dates: Trial began on May 8, acquittal on June 28.
