Forget PI, go straight to high court

The suggestion came in a letter sent to Gaspard by attorney Criston J Williams, who along with Wayne Sturge, represents six men whose frustration led to a near riot at the Port-of-Spain Magistrates’ Court last month, and to Ayers-Caesar’s resignation as a judge. The six – Chicki Portello, Anton Cambridge, Kareem Gomez, Levi Joseph, Anthony Charles and Israel “Arnold” Lara – quietly returned to court yesterday when their matter was adjourned to June 1. That was the date given by acting Chief Magistrate Maria Busby Earle- Caddle for all part-heard cases left behind by her predecessor (Ayers-Caesar).

The six are before the court for the murder of CEPEP employee Russell Antoine at Covigne Road on May 2010. In his letter to Gaspard, Williams suggested the DPP invoke powers under Section 90 of the Constitution and file indictments for the six which would send them straight to the High Court, bypassing the PI stage. His suggestion also included the possibility of discontinuing the charges.

His letter was sent to the DPP last Thursday, but an attorney from the DPP’s Office who was in court yesterday, said as she only received a copy of the letter yesterday morning, she would have to follow up with DPP Gaspard on Williams’ suggestion.

After Ayers-Caesar was elevated to the High Court, the judiciary first said her appointment would not have any negative impact on the administration of justice and in particular matters over which she presided as then chief magistrate.

Ayers-Caesar presided in the Eighth Magistrates Court in Portof- Spain up until she became a judge on April 12. She resigned as a judge on April 27.