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The Crown will investigate concerns the lawyer for a convicted gangster has over the possible tampering of evidence. Prosecutor Rajbir Dhillon said he has already made some inquiries and will investigate further whether it’s possible the police impound lot was broken into before Roland Chin’s car was inspected. Defence counsel Michael Bates said if a break in occurred before Chin’s impounded SUV was searched, there may be grounds to reopen his trial on weapons charges. Chin has already been convicted by provincial court Judge Sharon Van de Veen in connection with the seizure of a handgun from a box hidden under the hood of his Cadillac Escalade. But in a notice of motion seeking an order for further Crown disclosure, Bates said he’s received information the impound lot was broken into in the early morning hours of June 13, 2011. Police found the box containing the handgun that afternoon. “The anonymous information we have, if true, potentially opens the possibility that there was tampering with the vehicle,” Bates told Van de Veen. He said an investigation into the allegation could help his client establish doubt that he placed the handgun under the hood of his SUV. “If it turns out there is no evidence that anything was done wrong then we’ll proceed to sentencing,” Bates said. He told Van de Veen the police have already confirmed there is no video tape to assist the defence, since footage of the compound is only kept for 30 days. Bates has asked Dhillon to make other inquiries to determine whether the anonymous information has any credence. Chin was stop on June 12, 2011, when cops determined a previous owner of the Escalade had reported it stolen. He was released without charge after convincing police he had purchased it without knowing it had been previously stolen, but the vehicle was impounded. The case returns to court May 22, to get answers to Bates’ inquiries. If satisfied he’ll proceed to sentencing, if not he’ll make his disclosure application.
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