Shawn Parris rejects 6 Legal Aid lawyers

Director of Legal Aid and Advisory Authority (LAAA) Israel Khan SC, yesterday cleared the air over legal representation of murder accused Shawn Paris which prompted comments by Justice Herbert Volney, that southern lawyers not willing to represent Paris.

Khan said that already six legal aid attorneys have been assigned to Paris, but he has rejected all for one reason or another. Paris, Khan said, insisted that he wanted Desmond Allum SC and Rajiv Persad of Trinity Chambers, to do his case. But Khan said  he had spoken to Allum who has indicated that he would not be able to do the case.

Khan noted that had Justice Volney been aware of these facts he would not have ciriticised southern lawyers. When Paris appeared before Volney in the San Fernando Assizes, he tried to get an attorney to accept the brief to defend the accused, but no one accepted. This then prompted his comments. 

In defence of the south based attorneys, Khan said he has always received their fullest cooperation, even going the extra mile for the LAAA. Paris 35, of Gasparillo, is charged with the murder of Dr Chandra Naraynsingh on June 30, 1994. She was shot to death as she went to her car at Langmore Foundation, Palmyra, San Fernando.