Irate prisoners return to court

Chicki Portello, Anton Cambridge, Kareem Gomez, Levi Joseph, Anthony Charles and Israel “Arnold” Lara were subdued when their matter was called before Ag Chief Magistrate Maria Busby Earle-Caddle in the Portof- Spain Eighth Magistrates’ Court and one of their attorneys, Criston J Williams, indicated he had spoken to them and they understood the position the court is in. The men previously appeared before Busby Earle-Caddle on April 26, when they became irate after the magistrate indicated she was unable to preside over their matters and had no choice but to adjourn it to a later date.

They began hurling obscenities as they were being taken out of the courtroom. Other prisoners who were not affected also joined in the protest.

The prisoners’ venting came after the elevation of Ayers-Caesar to the High Court Bench. The judiciary first assured that her appointment as a judge would not have any negative impact on the administration of justice and in particular, those matters over which she had been presiding, but a day after the prisoners’ protest, the former chief magistrate resigned as a judge.

Lawyers for the six are expected to write to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) before Friday to ascertain the prosecution’s position on the murder inquiry.

Busby Earle-Caddle has adjourned the matter to May 23, and urged the defence to write to the DPP. “Please follow up on the letter.

It is a 2010 matter,” she said before adjourning the matter to wait the response of the DPP.

The six have been charged for the murder of CEPEP employee Russell Antoine at Covigne Road on May 2010.