Jailed attorney:

JAILED Port-of-Spain lawyer Joseph Melville yesterday complained about the conditions in prison he was forced to endure when he was brought to court to face charges of possession of marijuana and resisting arrest.

Melville, who is serving 25 years for attempted murder, is before Magistrate Andrew Stroude in the Port-of-Spain Fourth Magistrates’ Court charged with being in possession of marijuana at Independence Square, Port-of-Spain, on September 6, 2001.

He is also charged with resisting PC Andy Williams in the execution of his duty on the same day.

The trial started on Wednesday and continued yesterday.

At the close of the prosecution’s case, Melville made a no-case submission on his own behalf. He said once he was held by the police for being in possession of marijuana, he was under arrest.

Melville said while he was under arrest, he could never be charged with resisting arrest. “I was already in the custody of the police. That couldn’t be resisting arrest. At most, that could have been attempting to escape lawful custody, or escaping lawful custody. But resisting arrest, that cannot be correct.”

On the issue of being in possession of marijuana, Melville said the other person charged jointly with him had already pleaded guilty. Melville concluded his submissions. The police prosecutor is to respond on the next occasion.

Melville asked that it be put off for two weeks, but the magistrate wanted to deal with the case urgently. He wanted to put it off for today. It was then that Melville complained about prison conditions. He said when he has to come to court in Port-of-Spain, he is removed from the Golden Grove Prison to the city prison the day before.

“I have to sleep on the ground, the place has no lights. Port-of-Spain is in a terrible condition.” Melville said if the matter is adjourned for today or Monday, he would have to remain at the Port-of-Spain prison. He complained that if he has to stay in the city, he would need more clothing and other amenities.

There was relief on Melville’s face when Stroude adjourned the case to June 2. Melville was sentenced to 25 years in jail by Justice Melville Baird in February 2004 for attempting to murder his secretary Patricia Cox at Fort George Hill on June 28, 2001. He was also convicted of kidnapping and assault.

Melville’s appeal is pending in the Court of Appeal.