Parris accused attorney of trickery and betrayal

It was the same Shawn Parris, who seven months earlier on February 12, 2004, when sentenced to life imprisonment not to be released before 30 years, wrote: " I have been instructed by my attorney Mr Scotland that in regards to the manslaughter plea, I would not receive a lengthy sentence." Parris, through his attorney Sean Cazabon, appealed his sentence, and is now seeking leave for an extension of time to also appeal his conviction.

Parris claimed he told a prison officer he also wanted to appeal his conviction, but the record of the court only had notice of appeal against sentence.

Prisons Officer Shimond Edwards testified yesterday before Justices Margot Warner (President), Ivor Archie and Paula Mae Weekes, that he was the reception officer on February 3, 2004, when Parris instructed him to file appeal against sentence.

Parris could not identify the officer to whom he spoke. Edwards was not asked if Parris had asked him to file an appeal against conviction.

Scotland strongly denied Parris’ allegations, and produced some five documents in Parris’ own handwriting giving Scotland instructions to negotiate manslaughter with the Director of Public Prosecutions on his behalf.

Under cross-examination by Scotland’s lawyer, Ken Sagar, Parris admitted that he had written and signed the documents, and that the contents were true, but insisted that Scotland had dictated the contents to him.

In addressing the court, Cazabon said Scotland had used improper inducement in having Parris plead guilty to manslaughter, and as a result there was a miscarriage of justice.

Special prosecutor Dana Seetahal is representing the State in the matter.

Hearing will continue tomorrow.