Judge David Orr said Friday there was not enough evidence to support Justin Hopkins (33) being convicted on charges of trafficking drugs and possession of drugs for the purpose of trafficking, on the heels of a police bust in a commercial parking lot last April in St. John’s.
Police had been monitoring the vehicle Hopkins was seated in at the time of the arrest, at the corner of Major’s Path and Torbay Road. Drug paraphernalia was found in the glove box of the car, drugs were found on the driver and a baggie of eight grams of cocaine was found beneath Hopkins’ seat.
Hopkins was carrying $1,350 cash at the time.
However, after hearing the case, Orr said being at a scene where drugs are discovered is not enough to warrant a conviction. He cited several cases supporting the concept.
The judge’s decision went a different way on a single count against Hopkins of the possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, namely a knife he had in his pocket.
Orr cited various things, including the drugs and money, but also the testimony that Hopkins went reaching into his hoodie at the time of the arrest.
“He was carrying a large knife clearly designed for an offensive purpose,” Orr said.
After issuing his verdict, Orr sought a date for Hopkins’s return, to address a separate set of charges — five charges of possession of drugs for the purpose of trafficking and three charges of breaching court orders — with the alleged offences dating back to May 12, 2017.
That case will be called on Nov. 15.
afitzpatrick@thetelegram.com
