KRAAL TRIAL: DAY 11 - Judge reprimands defence...
November 15, 2005
CHIEF JUSTICE Lensley Wolfe yesterday chided defence lawyer Valerie Neita-Robertson for calling a policeman by his alias 'Dutty Dog Brown'.
Mrs. Neita-Robertson was putting suggestions to police constable Tyrone Brown when she said: "I suggest you are not a truthful person, Mr. Dutty Dog Brown."
"Do not do that and you should apologise," the Chief Justice remarked. Mrs. Neita-Robertson pointed out that she had the right to call Brown by his alias because the witness had admitted to her in court that it was his alias.
The Chief Justice said the manner in which it was done was to embarrass the witness.
IMPOSE SANCTIONS
"And if you do it again, I am going to impose sanctions," the Chief Justice warned.
"So be it my lord, but I am entitled to do so," was Mrs. Neita-Robertson's quick response.
Commenting further, the Chief Justice said: "That type of conduct brings the Bar into disrepute."
When Constable Brown, who came into court under tight security, was asked under cross-examination if he was now living in a foreign country, he hesitated.
Prosecutor Terrence Williams said there was an arrangement for him under the Witness Protection Programme and added that the question was irrelevant.
The Chief Justice ruled it was not and when the witness was asked if he was living outside the shores of Jamaica, he said yes. He said he was not employed abroad but he got a subsistence.
Mrs. Neita-Robertson, who was cross-examining him, suggested to him that there had been offers to live abroad and he had taken up an offer and that was the reason he was lying to the court in relation to his evidence.
The witness denied the suggestion.
INCONSISTENCIES ...
Author: Barbara Gayle
Source: Jamaica Gleaner
