Intrigue in Linton Appeals Court case

Kieron Pinard-Byrne (left), Lennox Linton

A number of persons are listening with intrigue as the arguments unfold in the Lennox Linton appeal matter against chartered accountant Keiron  Pinard Byrne.

Linton lost his court battle with Pinard-Byrne after High Court judge Brian Cottle concluded that he the defendant Linton failed to provide evidence to support allegations he said were based on facts.

“His demeanor in the witness box was more consistent with personal animosity towards the Claimant rather than an unbiased search for truth. The overall tone of the offending publications also reeked of rancour rather than even handed reporting,” Justice Cottle wrote on the matter in which Pinard-Byrne insisted that Linton and others had slandered and libeled him.

The judge ruled at the time that Linton would have to pay EC$50,000 in damages to the claimant.

Two others including a local radio station were also ordered to pay damages.

At the appeals court hearing on Wednesday, Linton’s lawyer, Guyanese Steven Fraser, told the court that the accounts at the heart of the debate “speaks for itself” as it relates to Oriental Hotel.

He told the court that “there are no implications of criminality as suggested”.

“This was a hot topic every single investor lost every cent of investment – all the evidence points to a Web of intrigue” he said in defence of his client’s statements made about Pinard-Byrne, statements the High Court ruled defamatory.

Broadcaster Lennox Linton has already hinted that if the OECS Appeals Court rules against him, he is prepared to take the matter to the London-based Privy Council, Dominica’s final appellate body.

Meanwhile Appeals Court  judge Justice Perreria expressed the court’s disgust at the manner in which the record of appeal was prepared by attorney William Riviere,  who is representing  Raglan Riviere, another individual found guilty of defaming Pinard-Byrne.

“When you file pieces of documents it raises delay and confusion, this court of appeal is not a summary court but a supreme court of records ,” she said, accusing some of the lawyers and their clients of being bent on “time wasting”..

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50 Comments

  1. Realist
    May 2, 2012

    If this very scenario had taken place in Jamaica or Barbados. There is no doubt as to which side the natives will be supporting.

    The difference is that Barbados and Jamaica have a much higher degree of national pride than Dominica.

    Whilst one should not espouse discrimination, any foreigner who partakes in a scheme which rips off the locals of over 85 million dollars is definitely not worthy of approbation, and ought to be condemned.

    Linton for what its worth must be lauded for his selfess actions.

    It is so sad that after foreigners exploit Dominica’s passport money they are still allowed to ‘exploit’ loopholes in our legal system to ‘destroy’ a local patriotic national. In the meanwhile some misguided Dominicans laugh and rejoice at thier own calamity.

    • PROUD DOMINICAN
      May 3, 2012

      IF YOU DO NOT HAVE PRIDE FOR DA SHUT YOUR MOUTH.IT ‘S PEOPLE LIKE YOU THAT BAD TALK DA FOR FOREIGNERS.HOW CAN YOU GENERALISE SUCH A STUPID THINKING

      • Realist
        May 3, 2012

        If speaking the truth about the ills done by losers like you is ‘bad talking’, then so be it.

        Mal-adjusted social misfits like you on the other hand tell lies hypocritically about the system and enjoy GIVING Dominica away to foreigners for a lousy bowl of porridge.

        Stop repeating the parabolic chants of your handlers and go learn how to think!!

  2. PROF. WIKILEAKS
    May 2, 2012

    Here is the deal Lennox…Pinnard Bynre and Grace Tonge were around 1995 to 2000. You were very silent. You only saw the dangers of these people in 2001 and beyound….where were you?

    The Politics of Agenda again

    • Anonymous1
      May 3, 2012

      Where were u during that time? I guess if u were here u would have been one who joined the church and other organizations to fight Eddison James who sought to get these wicked foreigners and deceivers to get the hotel going. It was never their intention to build anything. Fraudulent concrete!!!!!!!!!!!!

    • Papa Met
      May 3, 2012

      What you are saying is true WIKILEAKS but whether it is a Red , Blue or Green administration wrong is wrong. You seem to be expressing the same sentiment. Forget the messenger deal with the message .

  3. maindesk
    May 2, 2012

    since when being a beneficiary is a bad thing enough to sue someone over.

  4. Onlooker
    May 2, 2012

    I was in court today. Well thre court room is not a radio talkshow. There is decorum,order, respect and great debate on issues of the law. There was no “thank you caller”, “God bles you too”. I never heard the name Roosevelt Skerrit. Waht I sw was very learned gentlemen arguing their individual clients case with all thier skills. I did not see any venemous outburst although the lawyers differed on points of law.

    We are a country that is governed by laws even though some people would prefer not to beleive that – for partisan reasons of course. Yes, Dominica was given a bad deal in that product. We lost millions and Pinard Byrne and Grace Tung ought to be made to answer to the people of Dominica through their government of course and within the realsm of the established system. Pinard Byrne believes he was slandered so he went to court for redress.It is the same court that all of us go to for redress when we feel aggrieved by our fellow man. Let us await the court’s decision. Unfortunatley, the court system is slow, on account of many reasons including the lawyers. Let us await the court anyway. We are still a country of laws. No amount of pontification over Lennox means anything in the court. It is the law. No amount of political talk, will do either. The talk show is not any authority on anyones guilt in our jurisdiction. So whilst Lennox is “King” on the talk show with an erudite skill at pursuasive talking, he was a mere member of the gallery/onlooker in court today. He is awaiting I am told to go to the Privy Council. Did I hear it is a 100,000 pounds Sterling to go that distance?

    • CIA on the watch
      May 2, 2012

      One hundered thousand pounds is no price for justice as compared to $85 million in passport deals unaccounted for, when are we Dominicans going to allow our country and its people to be among the intellectual thinking nation???????????

  5. simple mind
    May 2, 2012

    Justice does not live in close proximity of the courthouse any more…but we know the sin was committed any way.

  6. Truth
    May 2, 2012

    SO TRUE: “His demeanor in the witness box was more consistent with personal animosity towards the Claimant rather than an unbiased search for truth. The overall tone of the offending publications also reeked of rancour rather than even handed reporting,”

  7. Anonymous
    May 2, 2012

    Please judge, increase the fine to $100,000!!!!

  8. shut up
    May 2, 2012

    Lennox the courts may crucify you, the people may speak ill of you, but God will be on your side, I don’t have money to help you, but I can assure your that God will help carry your Loan, keep on fighting the good fight.

  9. Lougaoo Mem
    May 2, 2012

    Only the truth will set you free. And currently, there’s none in the government to compare with Mr. Linton when it comes to TRUTH, HONESTY & CREDIBILITY. Sad to say that the above does not go well in a country where wrong is right and vice versa. May the Almighty help us all!

    • PROF. WIKILEAKS
      May 2, 2012

      there’s none in the government to compare with Mr. Linton when it comes to TRUTH, HONESTY & CREDIBILITY…..Alas, when you don’t know we can just take to the blogs and write crap.

      Favorite Quote..”I know what you did last summer”…to be replaced by I know what you did a few years ago.

      • May
        May 3, 2012

        Remember the ambassador said that truth has no place in politics. I see that you are just like him!!!! maybe worst.

  10. Grand Stand
    May 2, 2012

    Hate Lennox if you wish too but the guy was simply saying “ take heed some people are taking the clothes of our back.” Nowadays wrong is right right is wrong. I’m not sure I could go to Ireland and do what the plaintiff did and get then get the Irish people to support me on that – not even if I pour a bucket of white paint all over my body.

    Lennox after listening to your talk show with the deceased Mike Douglas I am even more convinced that you are a treasure to our country. I realized that the people who constantly try to deride you and claim that you are not a journalist can very well learn a lot from you. If we were to put your critics into the situation 20 years ago Lennox would still run circles around them.

    If Mike was going to request a final interview today like he did twenty years ago I am sure Mike Douglas would select Lennox as oppose to his critics.

    I am still trying to understand why or how people can hate someone who is actually making them aware of the injustices and deception imposed on them by selfish and greedy individuals.

  11. Mujahardin
    May 2, 2012

    Who is Justice Cottle? He seems to have a deep and abiding love for the DLP administration and its henchmen. Just asking DNO.

  12. Allah nous sort
    May 2, 2012

    Hate Lennox if you wish too but the guy was simply saying “ take heed some people are taking the clothes of our back.” Nowadays wrong is right right is wrong. I’m not sure I could go to Ireland and do what the plaintiff did and get then get the Irish people to support me on that – not even if I pour a bucket of white paint all over my body.

    • %
      May 2, 2012

      Those who hate him do so simply on political grounds. He sees the wrong,malfeasance, corruption,BOBOL,and he brings it to light! hE EXPOSES YOU! GREAT DOMINICAN HERO. I LOVE HIM!

    • linky
      May 2, 2012

      this is so true

  13. it matters
    May 2, 2012

    Folks when dealing with the court system, you as a defendant have to make sure that your jargon is consitent with the courts. I say all of this to say that it seems that the definition of the word ” beneficiary” seemed to have been misplaced or used in the wrong context. According to Merriam-Webster “Definition of BENEFICIARY
    1: one that benefits from something
    2a : the person designated to receive the income of a trust estate b : the person named (as in an insurance policy) to receive proceeds or benefits
    So to say that a person who was hired to perform a specific duty is a beneficary of what ever, kind of make the meaning ambiguos, or for that matter used to portait a certain slant to benefit the user.

    • Papa Dom
      May 2, 2012

      what is the specific task that KPB was hired to dd? auditor,owners representative,accountant,which is it? One individual playing multiple roles without any seperation of duty is surely a beneficiary under any definition.

  14. Morihei Ueshiba
    May 2, 2012

    :wink: Lennox Linton would make a better pm than roosevelt skerrit.

    • Anonymous
      May 2, 2012

      Then why dont you vote him in!

      • Anonymous
        May 2, 2012

        He (Lennox)is a Great Dominican!

      • cricket fan
        May 2, 2012

        good answer…lol

    • Pure Sheet
      May 2, 2012

      Please think twice before making such statement. The world is reading.Dominica is climbing the PROGRESS ladder,P-L-E-A-S-E try no to bring it down. Try for a second to Appreciate the good that someone does. AlleluYAH

    • Anonymous
      May 2, 2012

      I think you had a hard day and not thinking straight, so I gonna respond rather mildly to your statement.

    • May 2, 2012

      boy how you sort so

    • Dominican Queen
      May 2, 2012

      Lennox CANNOT win in Marigot, how can he ever be better than our PM. All of you are just jealous of Skerrit.
      Lennox has to learn to love people. He is too puffed up, it’s time he start to get away from controversy and look for something to build himself up. Everywhere he go they kicking him out.
      Grow up Linton

    • PROF. WIKILEAKS
      May 2, 2012

      He has to be able to hold down a job first. Usually when one cannot hold a job, there is a basic and simple problem….filll in the blanks

      • May
        May 3, 2012

        PROF.WIKILEAKS, he doesn’t have to eat from anyone to keep a job. Once you stand for your right people will have a problem with you. I see you have alot of hatred for this great hero but he didnot bang water to come here and you so will not shut him up!!!!

  15. Choice
    May 2, 2012

    This is not a Lennox matter. Dominicans were robbed of 85 million plus in sale of passports and Linton as the messenger is being made the victim.

    Dominicans are so devided and politicallly biased they are prepared to see Linton destroyed insteads of asking for an account of thier 85 million dollars lost in this passport scheme.

    • putsey
      May 2, 2012

      You should listen to the Hunter song, Typical Dominican. That is the most accurate description of Dominicans you can find. And it stays with them wherever they go.

      If they eh like you, you could be mother theresa on a healing mission, they will find some way to screw you over.

      And if they like you. You could be a mass murderer with paedophile tendencies. That too shall be forgiven quickly.

      Its a strange place. But one piece of advice should always hold.

      Never put your neck on the line for these people. Inevitably they will turn on you.

      Dominica is one big plantation where the slaves are fighting for the masters to stay right where they are.

      • Reader
        May 2, 2012

        One of the best comments I’ve ever read on DNO.

      • Choice
        May 2, 2012

        @ Putsey

        You could not have said it better!!!

    • ???
      May 2, 2012

      I agree with you. However, at the same time, the MESSENGER must deliver the message in a manner that wont be considered libel, slander, or with malicious intent aimed at personal vengence. I’m not saying that’s the case, but it’s not ironic that he is geting the brunt of the backlash.

      He will not, may not and cannot always be wrong. Neither will he always be right – interpretaion is a dangerous thing because different people interpret things differently.

      he should guard his backside and continue reporting – but he needs to try to be less biased.

      • Anonymous
        May 2, 2012

        @proud Dominican. Go to school your Moron! Listen to the truth and respect it.

    • CIA on the watch
      May 2, 2012

      Instaed of the word Dominicans you should replace it with low level think and illerates, they seem to forget the message and want to crucify the messanger, we all wish Lennox well, had it not been for him media houses like DNO would have nothing to comment about

      • proud Dominican!
        May 2, 2012

        You mean illiterates like you and your generation. Just look at the number of spelling errors you have in such a brief comment.

      • tom
        May 2, 2012

        I have no idea why some clowns look at spelling on this blog. Read, understand and move on…

    • Anonymous
      May 2, 2012

      I have no way of disputing the figure of 85 million. Can you give us the facts how you arrived at this figure or tell us where we can research that figure?

      Awaiting your response

      • Papa Dom
        May 2, 2012

        you and the six who agree with you are the only ones to dispute the figure

    • May 2, 2012

      Dominicans seem to be among the dumbest people on the planet. they refuse to look at issues and see will will affect them and their generation to come.
      As long as they choose not to like you, they will not listen to anything you see or try to understand.
      May God help us.
      Lennox you are one of the few Dominicans who is not afraid to disagree with what you think and know iis not right.
      May God open the eyes and minds of our people.

      • ?????
        May 2, 2012

        Why do you think that the country is so poor and corrupt? Its for that very reason.But praise God there are those who are not afraid to call a spade a spade.God Bless these people.

    • neutral
      May 2, 2012

      This thing stated since in the time of the UWP. Plenty dirt have to dig. We cannot just scratch the surface.

    • British Citizen
      May 2, 2012

      Well said my friend. All Lennox did is to point out the taking of £85 million and because of partisan politics you guys can’t see that but only see Lennox as public enemy #1. You guys better wake up before it will be too late.

    • Dominican Queen
      May 2, 2012

      That is not the case!!! If he knows about a problem, why didn’t he go through the right channel instead of going on the radio. If you have the facts do it the right way and you wont be sued.

      • Papa Met
        May 3, 2012

        What is the right way may I ask? Is it the IPO, Police commissioner or the Attorney General. Please tell us because the above mentioned authorities are all compromised.

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