CJ wins again, but Judiciary divided

The amended statement issued yesterday, pointed out that the first statement released on Sunday, was not “the result of a collaborative agreement of the entire Judiciary.”

Reliable sources stated that the correction came as a result of concerns of the majority of the Judiciary who were not consulted and who were disturbed by the first statement. Sources said investigations were being pursued as to the authorisation of the first release. Sources added that early yesterday, some members of the judiciary were contemplating making a statement on the issue.

While the first statement was unsigned, the Chief Justice in the second statement took full responsibility for both the first and second release. “I am directed by the Honourable Chief Justice to issue the following statement”, it began. And in the first paragraph the CJ admitted ownership of the original unsigned statement, saying, “The statement which emanated from the office of the Chief Justice on Sunday July 23rd, in relation to events which took place at his residence...”

The statement was signed by Asha Samaroo, Court Commun-ications and Information Officer.

However the CJ’s second statement made no amendment to the claim in the first release that the calls made from his home to Judge Jones were made by Martineau and Peterson.

However according to senior police sources the time line documented by the arresting officer, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Clive Reyes, is as follows:

— 5.08: Officer Clive Reyes arrives (with another officer).

— 5.12: Justice Stanley John arrives at the CJ’s residence.

— 6.20: Registrar of the Court, Evelyn Ann Peterson arrives with a hand-written order which bore no official stamp of the High Court and which the officers find difficult to understand and to accept.

— 6.40: Russell Martineau arrives at the residence.

According to phone records the two calls made from the CJ’s home to Jones’ office and cell were at 5.29 pm and 6.52 pm.

The 6.52 call is the one which Reyes and the Commissioner of Police Trevor Paul insist was made by John, an assertion repeated in the complaint filed by the Attorney General John Jeremie to the Judicial and Legal Service Commission against John’s involvement in the attempt to execute the warrant for the arrest of Sharma.

This has been denied by John, who said he regards his job as “sacrosanct.”