Another ‘President’s Pleasure’ prisoner told to wait

JUSTICE Humphrey Stollmeyer yesterday advised attorneys who filed a motion on behalf of a man imprisoned for a murder at the President’s Pleasure, to await the outcome of a motion relating to Chuck Attin and Keston Adams, who were similarly detained at the President’s Pleasure. Justice Stollmeyer gave the advice to prisoner Otis Melville’s attorneys’ Gerald Ramdeen and Mark Seepersad, who wanted to proceed with the matter yesterday when it was called in the San Fernando Civil Court.

State attorney Krishendath Narinesingh opened the proceedings by requesting the matter be postponed until after the hearings of Adams and Attin’s matters on September 25 and October 6 respectively. Ramdeen wanted the court to proceed with his client’s case yesterday, contending that Melville’s case was different to Adams’ and Attin’s, but Justice Stollmeyer said the latter cases might provide guidelines for Melville’s matter. Melville was convicted of murder in 1996 when he was 15 years old, and was sentenced at the President’s Pleasure having regard to his age. Melville, now 26, has filed a constitutional motion in the High Court contending that he has a right to be informed when he will be released from prison, if at all.