Peace at PoS Magistrates Court yesterday

There was also no noticeable increase in security at the courthouse at St Vincent Street yesterday, and Court and Process police officers at the court rubbished reports that prisoners were beaten when they became unruly after their court appearance in the Eighth Magistrates Court on Wednesday.

This was after they complained loudly when Deputy Chief Magistrate Maria Busby Earle-Caddle adjourned their matters to next month.

Busby Earle-Caddle is acting as chief magistrate until an appointment is made by the Judicial and Legal Services Commission and said she needed to get advice on how to proceed with some of the cases which were listed before Ayers-Caesar.

Two weeks ago concerns of Ayers-Caesar’s unfinished cases were raised and earlier this week, Law Association president Douglas Mendes, SC, said the association will hold discussions with Chief Justice Ivor Archie, the attorney general and the director of public prosecutions to find a workable solution.

Mendes, on behalf of the association, also expressed “immediate concerns about the fact that a judge was appointed and took up office leaving behind outstanding, partheard matters.” He said it was unfair that anyone should suffer the expense and anxiety of an avoidable, repeat trial.

“The full extent of the prejudice which may have been caused is not yet known,” he said.