It was another day of drama at the courts in Roseau as the election fever intensifies. At the Magistrate’s court, it was to have been a day set aside for presiding Magistrate Asquith Riviere to rule on certain aspects of the alleged incitement case against opposition leader Lennox Linton and former Prime Minister Edison James.
The issue at hand was the decision by the prosecution led by Trinidad & Tobago’s Israel Khan SC to join James with Linton. That was opposed by defense lawyer for the defense team Gildon Richards.
The case was adjourned to 2pm on December 2, 2019. However, the matter came up for hearing during the morning session of the court and James and Linton along with their lawyer were absent since they had no knowledge that the matter had been moved to the morning.
An application was made by the prosecution for the issuance of a bench warrant for the arrest of the men and was granted. The magistrate did not, however, release the bench warrant and about half an hour later, both men with their lawyer, appeared in court.
During the proceedings, the magistrate said he had gotten the submissions late and it was difficult for him to do his research and so he needed further clarity and authorities on the law as it relates to the issue of the filing and serving of defense counsel on behalf of Edison James.
“I need to see something in the law that speaks on that issue…I would like to see proper authorities directing me on that point,” the magistrate stated.
He also reminded both parties that he was “an administer of justice” and had to look at “all the matters on the facts of the law with no politics or religion.”
“That’s why I ask all to leave the politics out. I am not concerned about the person in the box, but just the law. If it was the Prime Minister, I would have dealt with it the same way. All I am here to do is to dispense justice, justice and justice, and not rush to proceed quickly,” he stated.
Riviere then asked both sides to do further research on the matter, the prosecution to file by December 18, 2019, and the defense, January 14, 2020. The matter will return to court on February 3, 2020, at 10 am, when he will give a ruling.
Mr. Linton and Mr. James, you all almost sleep in the calaboose.
They tried to play some kocomkat there, but it did not work. Issued Bench arrest…..
Skerrit and Company, arrest will be issued soon.
We are all Dominicans remember that.
Let your conshense be your guide. Do on to others as you wish them do to you.
Very good lets move on. We will wait next year.
Why now? A few days before a general election….? Is it a plan against the opposition leader in Dominica? This is totally cunning and disrespectful. Why isn’t there an investigation into the country’s prime minister’s alleged corruption which was featured on Al Jazeera? Is it because the prime minister is more powerful than the opposition leader, or is it because the general election is too close? Keep in mind that the World is watching….
Skeerit Linton will prevail,your unjust arrest,God will deal with the evil.
What is the justification for the people’s behavior especially that of Lennox Linton brother. Aren’t you ashamed and embarrassed by your brothe Brian Linton accosting and insulting the Cardinal and Bishop of the Catholic Church. This type of behavior is animalistic, desperate and deplorable. Brian nevertheless spoke about his disdain for Skerrit and not the issues at hand. It’s not electorate reform that’s there Issue, rather is desperation, because they are loosing. How can Marigot Constituency accept such acts of terror and intimidation.
Marigot , guess you were part of the Charled Saverine, President’s act of terror in 1979 ?
This is undiluted harassment and persecution.
Joseph Isaac (Modern Day Judas) was charged with the same offence of incitement. He now faces no charges as he is presently a Minister of that said government he plotted against. You see comedy!
The charge against Mr. Linton is completely bogus intended to intimidate, defame and destroy.
The police, prosecution, the court and the resources of the country are not being used to prosecute the real criminals but to jail an innocent, law abiding person.
If Dominica had a nonpartisan and just police force, Mr. Skerrit of Aljazeera infamy, is the person who should be facing numerous corruption charges. The man is a colossal embarrassment to Dominica by words and deeds.
Before the whole world Mr. Skarrit belted out these words about Mr. Linton. “The man in his boxers, holding onto his balls, watching cartoon all day.”
This man is morally and intellectually unfit to hold the title of Prime a;inister of Dominica. We must soundly…
One can not escape the conclusion that the unscheduled advance of the case was a an attempt by the plaintiff’s team to entrap the defendant, mr. Linton, into a situation that would bar him from standing as a candidate in the upcoming election . If so this would be very poor reflection on the government’s legal representation and ultimately pernicious to their client’s goal. Co joining mr. James with mr. Linton is merely a ruse to obfuscate this.
Should Mr. Linton become the Prime Minister, can he be still prosecuted. Can he terminate the services of the foreign prosecutor and use the lawyers from the government’s attorney general office.
You know that they were not jotified about the matter in the morning. You issuing bench warrant. The whole justice system in Dominica needs a change. From the judge to the magistrate.
I’m confused shouldn’t the judge in this case have knowledge of the rules or have his staff research the issue before issuing a bench warrant? Someone please educate me .
I’m not an attorney but I do understand that there’s a difference between laws,statutes,and procedures .which is it that the judge needs clarification on ?