Hart reprimanded for assault

People’s National Movement Parliamentary representative for the Tunapuna Constituency, Eddie Hart, yesterday walked away with a reprimand after he was found guilty of assault charges brought against him after an altercation with former Chaguanas Mayor Orlando Nagessar. The incident, which occurred on September 11, 2002, was heard in the Tunapuna First Magistrates’ Court before Senior Magistrate Indra Ramoo-Haynes. Nagessar accused Hart of pointing his finger in his face, pulling at his jersey and pushing him against a wall. The two were returning from a heated exchange between supporters and were being escorted by police officers back to the EBC office.

When reached for comment on the issue, shortly after the allegations were made by the former Chaguanas Mayor, Hart responded, “I must be a mad man to assault a man in the full view of police officers.” Representing Hart was attorney Theodore Guerra, who argued that his client never hit Nagessar due to the geography of the Elections and Boundaries Commission office, and also due to the fact that Nagessar himself testified that he was facing the Eastern Main Road at the time of the incident. State attorney Candia James, however, argued that once it was proven that Hart “collared” Nagessar, which was testified by five witnesses, then the offence was in fact completed.

After listening to the submissions of both attorneys, Magistrate Ramoo-Haynes ruled that Hart was guilty of the charges brought against him (assault by beating). After the ruling, Hart was reprimanded and discharged, therefore bringing no punishment against the MP. Commenting on the issue, Hart said that he was just glad that the entire matter was over. Nagessar, however, said that he was pleased that justice was served as this was a clear case that no one is above the law. Section 4 of the Summary Offences Order states that Hart could have been fined $400 or three months in jail.