He was found guilty of abetment to pervert the course of Justice, and, today, Orlando Vera, the former deputy head of the National Forensic Science Services, was sentenced to 2 years in prison. It's a thunderous fall from grace for a senior member of the security services, and, today, Vera admitted to the Chief Magistrate that he did wrong, but said it was only in words, not in deeds.
Vera - who is a police officer trained in ballistics examination - came out of a week on remand for his sentencing hearing, where where Chief Magistrate Anne-Marie Smith heard mitigation pleas from Vera, his attorney, Anthony Sylvestre and 3 character witnesses, including 2 employees of National Forensic Science Services.
But after he begged the court for leniency and mercy, and apologized, Vera was shocked today when he was still sentenced to 2 years imprisonment. In making her decision to send Vera to jail instead of imposing a fine, Chief Magistrate Smith noted her surprise when she heard Vera on a recording soliciting a bribe so that he could make Michael Modiri's firearms case go away.
Chief Magistrate Smith noted that his action amounts to a high level of corruption and said, quote,"Corruption at the core is eating out this society."
DPP Cheryl Lyn Vidal added that the offense is a very serious one that attracts the maximum of 5 years.
After hearing form both sides, Chief Magistrate Smith said, quote, "I will impose a custodial sentence even though he has no previous conviction. Other people must not feel they could do the same."
And so while he will go to jail, or lockup for another night - Vera's attorney, Anthony Sylvester has already indicated to the court that he will be appealing the conviction and sentence. And, today, he set in motion the actions to get Vera home on an appeal. Today he is filing documents for a bail hearing where he will be asking for stay of execution and that Vera be let out on bail until an appeal is heard.
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