THREE Americans on trial in Zimbabwe on gun charges on Tuesday complained that prison authorities are still defying court orders to let them confer in jail and that this could be prejudicial to their defence. Speaking through their lawyer, Gary Blanchard, Joseph Pettijohn and John Dixon, all 35, said failure by the prisons to comply with several orders issued by the supreme and high courts has made it difficult for them to discuss their case in advance and prepare instructions for their counsel. The three men are accused of being in possession of 21 rifles — including automatic weapons — 22 pistols, 31 bayonets, nine silencers, 70 knives and three electric shock devices, among other weaponry.