A judge on Monday could not set a date for the appeal against an extradition order made 12 years ago because defense lawyers say they lack "vital" documents to proceed.

Austin "Ozzie" Knowles Jr., Nathaniel "Eyes" Knowles, Shawn Saunders-Bruey, Edson Watson and former policeman Ian Bethell are wanted in Florida on charges of drug trafficking. Then Magistrate Carolita Bethell approved the extradition request in November 2003, however, an appeal against that order has yet to be heard. After years of inactivity, the case was called up before Senior Justice Stephen Isaacs in April.

At yesterday's status hearing into the proceedings, lead counsel Elliot Lockhart, QC, said that the defense still did not have the transcripts of the extradition hearings and the exhibits in those proceedings. He also said that the documents appointing Dr. Marcus Bethel as acting minister of foreign affairs were also missing. Bethel gave the approval for the extradition hearing to proceed.

Lockhart said, "It seems these documents are vital to the preparation of our case."

Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions Neil Brathwaite, who represents the United States government, said that as far as he was aware now retired Justice Jeanne Thompson's orders in relation to Bethel had been appealed to the Privy Council.
Brathwaite said, "In relation to the issue of the transcripts, I see where that would be necessary and I would seek to obtain the transcripts."

Isaacs asked, "Did you receive the transcripts?"

Lockhart said he saw what "purported to be transcripts filed by [John] Deal and [Damian] Gomez."

Asked to explain, Lockhart said that the transcripts on the file were not certified as a true record of the proceedings.

Another status hearing will be held on July 3.

Ian Cargill and Osman Johnson are also on record for the fugitives.

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