The high court criminal division in Dominica on Wednesday observed a “one minute silence” in honour of slain Trinidad & Tobago attorney, Dana Seetahal SC, who over a week ago was brutally gunned down in her country by masked men.
High Court Judge, Bernie Stephenson, in paying tribute to the slain attorney described her as “fearless and fearsome.”
She was referred to as “one of our leading criminal attorney” who Stephenson claimed “was assassinated in the most reprehensible circumstances.”
“Her work has become one of our bibles in criminal practice and procedures law,” the judge said. “For me she was just ahead at law school and was one of meteors in the sky. She was fearless, fearsome as a prosecutor and she mastered her art of advocacy in the criminal bar.”
According to Justice Stephenson, Seetahal “took it upon herself to assist all and did it in an unselfish manner.
Also paying tribute to the slain attorney was Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Evelina Baptiste, who labeled her as “fearless, very savvy and a sharp shooter”.
“We are extremely shocked at the way she left us. She was fearless, very good at criminal practice and a sharp shooter … she was my lecturer in criminal practice and procedure and I dealt with her first hand,” DPP Baptiste said.
Baptiste regarded Seetahal’s death as “a great loss to the Caribbean, sub region and Trinidad & Tobago.
“Her work was so well known,” the DPP stated.
On his weekly radio programme, Behanzin made his attack on the legal fraternity for their silence following Dana Seetahal’s death, in particular he crticised the High Court and the magistrtaes Court for failing to call a minute silence at any of their sittings after the death, then again he said the magistrates on the bench almost have no practice experience, so the point will be lost to them!! Now the High Court acknowledge it today!
This is very sad/very unfortunate. Not shocking. Why? here is why…over the past 10 years Trinidad recorded 4264 murders, yes, its not a typo, 4264. in 2004 260 murders and 28 kidnappings. in 2007 395 murders and a whopping 155 kidnappings, in 2008 the murder rate was 550, in 2010 485 already for this year 2014, they are at 167. I have never seen anyone sending condolences to all the families in Trinidad….all the mothers who lost their children to violent crime, to the children of the grandparents gunned down in their home, to the mother of the baby who was shot in a car as she lay on her dad’s chest……four thousand two hundred and sixty four murders over the past 10 years…….but all of a sudden OUTRAGE across the region……why, because she was a lawyer?…..WELL, doctors, doctor’s wives, teachers, pilot, business men and women, teenagers, school children, toute bagai have been killed in Trinidad, but all of a sudden everybody sorry, is big news……..Heaven help this world and its people.
Real Talk
This is very sad/very unfortunate. Not shocking. Why? here is why…over the past 10 years Trinidad recorded 4264 murders, yes, its not a typo, 4264. in 2004 260 murders and 28 kidnappings. in 2007 395 murders and a whopping 155 kidnappings, in 2008 the murder rate was 550, in 2010 485 already for this year 2014, they are at 167. I have never seen anyone sending condolences to all the families in Trinidad….all the mothers who lost their children to violent crime, to the children of the grandparents gunned down in their home, to the mother of the baby who was shot in a car as she lay on her dad’s chest……four thousand two hundred and sixty four murders over the past 10 years…….but all of a sudden OUTRAGE across the region……why, because she was a lawyer?…..WELL, doctors, doctor’s wives, teachers, pilot, business men and women, teenagers, school children, toute bagai have been killed in Trinidad, but all of a sudden everybody sorry, is big news……..Heaven help this world and its people.
It is to be expected. Consider too that some people have no respect for the life of others.
She is an educated, well-known attorney, an expert in her field who took her work seriously. Her murder is a great loss for T & T in general. Therefore expect many regrets about her death, many words to be stated and many tears to be shed.
They have reason to be shocked and yes surprised. Those murderers planned her demise. Theirs is coming. Those who kill have the blood of their victims on them throughout their life and no doubt throughout eternity where there will be wailing and gnashing of teeth. For, “Thou Shalt Not Kill”. This is also not hating anyone whatsoever, whether they are in politics or not. It is the Commandment of God and His Word which will never be rescinded. Those who violate it will pay the price and a very dear one too.
Prayers and strength go out to her family. God is in control.
Very sad
Curious to know what case was she working on at the time and who was she represented or what is her client list look like,,,
Sorry to hear that,,,
I read about the murder in approximately four ethnic weekend papers in Toronto. It is big news among Caribbean people especially West Indians.
I do not know her but have heard of her. It saddened me to read of what occurred to her. She did not deserve this. Another icon, an intelligent and hard-working person gunned down.
Poor Trinidad with so many murders. It is getting worst annually just as Jamaica. It looks like these countries are far gone. Although smaller in size and population compared to, as an example, Canada, their murder rate is much higher.
Last year a prominent lawyer originally from Trinidad who resided in Toronto and would travel to T & T for cases, to defend his T & T clients was gunned down in Trinidad. The criminals know who they are after and what they have done. They have no scruples. This is when we fervently say, “Lord, please put a hand” and may the murderers be caught.
We note what could occur to those who stand up for the truth, fearlessly and fight for it. Good, conscious and hard-working ones pay the price. Yet, the fight must continue to catch criminals and put them who are a menace to society behind bars.
Those murderers think they will get away with it. God knows who they are and one day they will pay the price for their atrocities. It is consoling to know that nothing is hidden from our God and nothing escapes him. Thanks be to God!
My heartfelt sympathy to her grieving family, colleagues and others who were affiliated with her during her tenure and personal life. I visualize how much she will be missed.
Eternal rest grant unto her O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon her. May her soul rest in peace. Amen!
R. I. P.
I concur with the sentiments and accolades.