Merren’s appeal in US opposed by prosecutors
(CNS): The US authorities that convicted Caymanian businessman Bryce Merren (49) on drug conspiracy charges last year have asked the court to dismiss his appeal against sentence as he has already agreed to waive his rights to challenge the negotiated nine-year jail term. They said that his “bald and conclusory” claim that his counsel failed him because she did not visit or talk to him after the sentencing had no merit, and that he had fallen well short of demonstrating that the standard of representation he received was inadequate.
Merren pleaded guilty to drug conspiracy charges last year after he was caught red-handed in a sting operation in Puerto Rico, in which he had claimed he could supply significant quantities of cocaine. In a plea deal, several charges were dropped and he secured what the US prosecutors described as a beneficial sentence but which was considered at the higher end of the negotiated scale and more than he had bargained for.
During the plea and sentencing hearing where the nine-year term and a $75,000 fine were handed down, Merren was on the record telling the judge he knew that by accepting the plea deal he waived his right of appeal.
The records show the judge asked him, “Do you voluntarily agree to waive your right to appeal both your conviction and your sentence if the court so accepts your plea agreement?” Merren replied “Yes, your honor.”
But this July he filed documents appealing the sentence after he accused his attorney of not coming to see him or talking to him about an appeal, despite the courtroom agreement and the fact that he had shown no signs of wanting to challenge the sentence.
In their request to dismiss Merren’s appeal, the US authorities stated that his attorney’s performance “did not fall below an objective standard of reasonableness”, suggesting that the lawyer’s representation “was within the wide range of reasonable assistance”.
The full details of how Merren became caught up in the drug dealing conspiracy have never been made clear because some records of the case were redacted. In the documents released by US law enforcement officials following his arrest at the time, Merren told the undercover US agents, who he believed were dealers, that he and other unidentified Cayman business associates could help set up a smuggling ring to launder cash made from selling cocaine.
Although the case was heard in Puerto Rio, Merren is believed to be serving his time on the US mainland. The mailing address for the court documents is listed as the D. Ray James Correctional Institution, in Folkston, Georgia.
See the court documents in the CNS Library
Category: Local News
Sadly this joke appeal reads like good old Bryce has either forgotten he’s no longer in the Cayman Islands where this BS might work or simply doesn’t realise how seriously the USA takes drug trafficking. Whatever, he’s delusional if he thinks it’s possible to back out of a plea bargain like this. Hopefully, if this goes to court they’ll not only increase his sentence but move him somewhere less comfortable (D. Ray James is classed as an ‘open’ prison).
This appeal effort doesn’t quite pass the sniff test.
Perhaps the bloke was between a rock and a hard place and made a desperately wrong call?
Sure are a lot of righteous folk on these boards.
Cayman, behold the face of your upper echelon drug dealers!
My question is what was the deal about? Did he give up his connections, including his Cayman connections?
Once released from US prison, will there be any legal consequence for him in Cayman, knowing that he was involved with organizing a drug/money laundering operation impacting our jurisdiction?
No.
He is dis a good ol boy, he fight fer all uv us and mek a lit for himself, wats wron with dat?
Write proper English so that we can understand.
Bryce was not a dragged up Caymanian boy. He was properly raised up. Perhaps it was wrong influence that involved him. There are probally a lot that cant point a finger at him. Most people have forgotten the good that Mr Merren was to the community after the Ivan hurricane. He filled many hungry bellies. Even though he is wrong remember that he has a good family whom I know is hurt for the many rude comments. We all have family and kids so be careful.At least he is paying for his crime and am sure will never make that mistake again. We all have glass houses of some sort. Let us all pray for our children.
It’s called greed……….many people in Cayman get washed away with it. No matter if Caymanians who have been brought up to believe that in order to avoid consequences well connected parents just have to put in a call, or whether it is expats who land on this Island, pretending they are some high flying something albeit where they had barely a pot to piss in where they are coming from but are now under pressure to keep up with the neighbors…………
Bullcrap Bryce did nothing for anyone even if he was half the man his father was it wouldn’t be too bad he deserves everything he gets should have been 20yrs plus I hope he faces charges when he comes back for admission of money laundering as for his family they needed this to show them that even their own shit can stink
Those days of people in power who skirt ruin because a kabal can protect or minimize their actions are gone. When he gets out, we will have millions of references of him on the web, until the internet goes away, which will be never.
How many people do not have all the advantages he has, but are accused of the same. I say the richer you are, the longer the sentence, not the other way around like it is now.
Greed. Greedy greeder. Can’t get enough o dat cash. Bringing drugs to the island and washing money. He would be well practiced at that and even said so. This is not his first rodeo, just the rodeo that he fell off the horse.
Wrong influence or just plain greed? At the end of the day this deal was all about money – lots of money.
You have either forgotten or have no knowledge of how ALL rich Caymanians of days gone by originally got their money.
The hurtful comments are not aimed at his family…..even though I agree they are not pleasant. However you do the crime, you do the time and pay your price.
I am amaze at how you try to spin the whole story around. Let me ask you, have any of your children been on cocaine? How can you justify someone poisoning society with cocaine be a good person because he gave away food? You should go to the half way house and see how cocaine has destroyed families, societies and life. Next time try to defend something worthwhile like the mangroves, our youths, unemployed Caymanians and the elederly who built this country to where it is and cannot afford their light bill.
How can one appeal after receiving a plea bargain? His lawyers are stealing his money.
He is representing himself, claiming his lawyer is incompetent for failing to advise him that he could appeal (after waiving his right to appeal!)
“He who represents himself has a fool for a client” A. Lincoln
Tell that to Jesus.
Good, I wonder how many lives he stole with his drugs!
That’s no worse than selling illegal and deadly drugs to kids…..
Should have gave him 20 years.
Am I missing something? “Do you voluntarily agree to waive your right to appeal both your conviction and your sentence if the court so accepts your plea agreement?” Merren replied “Yes, your honor.”
Go back to your cell!
Bryce sentence was significantly reduced because of his plea and him waiving his appeal. His lawyer has already argued his case and negotiated his plea. What is he seeking, now – a get out of jail deal?
Winter is now setting in and it’s getting cold in Georgia USA.
I bet Brice now wished he was at home where he could go to 7 Mile Beach and then go home – to eat a big plate of Salt Beef & Beans or Turtle Meat cooked with some steamed breadfruit and fried plantain.
I bet HMP Northward has that on their menu every week.
Sounds like he is in close proximity for the Webbs’ to visit him from time to time. They can compare notes on legal strategies and outcomes.
They gave Bryce a reduced sentence for his plea. In exchange he should be sharing who his Cayman “associates” are in the cocaine for $ business he operated.
Another proud Caymanian.
Hey,careful, some good ole boy might find out he was born in Jam.
Scumbag importing cocain that winds up in minors hands. Rot in jail. End of story.
I would love to know who his Cayman associates are!!!
It’s still on the hush. Too many prominent “coke heads” that might shake-up the local landscape.
Free Uncle B!
Proud of Brice for not taking the others down with him
you are part of the drug problem 3.29. And the killings referred to in other places here on CNS
Why?!? Is the drug business good for Cayman?!?
he is “50” not “49”
Do the crime, do the time.
yes 3.19, ‘cos that is so important when you are convicted of drug smuggling. Dufus.
So?