Judge: We are in trouble in TT

HIGH COURT Judge Herbert Volney said yesterday that the continuing departure of prosecutors from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) means one thing — “we in Trinidad and Tobago are in trouble.” Justice Volney said it was alarming that the DPP’s office was slowly depleting “because of a request for just a few dollars more.” His comments were made in the Port-of-Spain First Criminal Court after State attorney Althea Alexis informed him that she was appearing in court for the last time on behalf of the DPP. She leaves shortly on assignment in Africa. Alexis ended her stint at the DPP’s Office with the prosecution of three men for murder. But they were all freed yesterday after the judge ruled that the accomplice witness’ evidence was unreliable.

Justice Volney said the continuing departure of staff from the DPP’s office was something which all judges have been noticing. “While we give whatever assistance we can to State counsel prosecuting before us, these same State counsel have to face Senior Counsel. As brilliant as you may be, you may be brilliant in academic knowledge, but you are short on experience. It has reached the stage that it is a mis-match. “We cannot as a country have State counsel coming out of the law school, spend two to three years in the Magistrates’ Court and then thrown in the High Court against Senior Counsel.” Justice Volney continued, “It is truly a sad day. For just a few dollars more, $1,000 to $5,000...it is unbelievable. With the price of oil at US $25 a barrel, it hurts me in particular because I have my roots in the prosecuting department.” Justice Volney said when he was a prosecutor, there were prosecutors with between 20 to 30 years in that department. “We are in trouble,” he told the court. Sources said that DPP Geoffrey Henderson may return to the courtroom shortly because of the continuing departure of prosecutors from his department.

The DPP’s Office lost a number of senior prosecutors over the last two years. Mark Mohammed, the former DPP, was elevated to the High Court Bench, Deputy DPP Anthony Carmona accepted a job in the Hague, Deputy DPP Rangee Dolsingh went into private practise, Assistant DPP Indra Ramoutar-Liverpool went into private practise, and Assistant former DPP Devan Rampersad has joined the chambers of Senior Counsel Desmond Allum. Other junior prosecutors left the department in recent times. State attorneys have been locked in battle with the administration over salaries and terms and conditions of service. Just recently, State attorneys stayed away from the courtroom resulting in a number of matters being adjourned.