State closes case against lawyer

THE STATE yesterday closed its case against attorney Wilston Campbell, who is accused of attempting to pervert the course of justice. Today, Campbell is expected to make his defence in the San Fernando High Court. State attorney Nalini Singh closed the prosecution’s case after State witness Amichan Sookram, a Clerk of the Peace at the San Fernando Magistrates’ Court, concluded his testimony at the trial in the Second Criminal Assizes. efence attorney Subhas Panday, then told Justice Prakash Moosai that lead defence attorney — Senior Counsel Desmond Allum — would like to make legal submissions before Campbell was given the option to take the witness stand in his defence.

Panday said Allum was in Antigua, but was expected in court today to deliver his submissions. Allum and attorneys Subhas Panday and Brent Ali, are representing Campbell, who is charged with allegedly attempting to bribe a policeman from whom he (Campbell) allegedly wanted assistance to have a case dismissed against a client. The charge against the accused attorney alleges that on July 18, 1995, Campbell offered police constable Kurt Simon $1,500 and asked him (Simon) to assist in having the case, in which PC Simon charged Campbell’s client with cheating during the CXC exams, dropped. According to the State, on that date Campbell was held during a sting operation at Cabin Restaurant and Pub at Keate Street, San Fernando.