Ag Chief Magistrate steps aside

In March, former Chief Magistrate Marcia Ayers-Caesar set May 2, as the date when the trials against two would begin.

Ayers-Caesar was appointed a High Court judge on April 12, but last week resigned after it was revealed she left behind a number of part-heard cases on her magisterial docket.

Since her resignation, Ayers-Caesar has not returned to the magistracy and there are mixed views as to whether she can now legally do so. In Alexander and Mires’ matters yesterday, Earle-Caddle informed attorneys representing both that she could not preside over their cases. She explained that Alexander was involved in a school mentoring project of which she is also involved.

“I believe it would be in the best interest of everyone that I recuse myself,” she said but informed attorneys she was ready to manage the case in keeping with the new Criminal Proceeding Rules recently adopted for cases in the magistrates’ and high courts.

After being informed that the prosecution led by senior State Prosecutors Angelica Teelucksingh- Ramoutar and Mauricia Joseph - that seven photographs, a police sketch and interview notes of the two police officers were disclosed to the defence. It was also disclosed that there were no medical reports for the alleged victim and the prosecution will be calling nine witnesses.

Teelucksingh-Ramoutar also indicated that the prosecution was recommending that the cases against the two are tried summarily and as a result, the charges were again read out to them. Both Alexander and Mires pleaded not guilty and opted to have their cases heard in the magistrates’ court.

Alexander is charged with assaulting Santa Cruz resident Christopher Charles in July of last year, causing him actual bodily harm. PC Sheldon Mires, is charged alongside Alexander with two similar offences arising out of the same incident. He is charged with assaulting Charles by way of beating him and also committing a common assault upon the alleged victim. The offences were alleged to have taken place in Santa Cruz.

The two were told to return to court on June 22 and their cases were transferred to the 4A Magistrates’ Court.