Wrongful detention and charge of female robbery suspect…Chief Magistrate and Judy Latchman report to be sent to Judicial Commission
An appeal to the Chancellor of the Judiciary by a private citizen is likely to foster an investigation into the matter involving Magistrate Judy Latchman who remanded a woman to prison last March even though members of the Prosecution informed her that the accused may have been wrongly charged.
Chancellor of the Judiciary Justice Carl Singh
Further, it was indicated that the charge was likely to be withdrawn.
Justice Carl Singh in a letter of receipt to social activist Frederick Kissoon dated April 16, explained that a report has been requested from both the Head of the Magistrates’ Court, Chief Magistrate Priya Beharry and Magistrate Latchman to be sent to the Judicial Service Commission “for consideration.”
Kissoon was very vocal after the woman, Taylor, was remanded by Magistrate Latchman, despite the prosecution expressing that she might no longer be a figure of concern.
On March 5, last, Taylor, 35, of 212 East Ruimveldt Housing Scheme, was charged with two other persons for allegedly robbing her friend, Elizabeth Hendricks, at gunpoint of over $300,000 in valuables.
However during the court proceeding, Prosecutor Sergeant Vishnu Hunt informed the court that Taylor was not supposed to be charged for the armed robbery. The prosecutor had stated, “As it relates to the number two accused (Taylor) I’ve received instructions from Inspector Geness that the investigating rank was supposed to delete her name and not have her charged.”
Hunt stated further that he would have to seek advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions since the woman had ended up before the court and answered to the charge.
Taylor was represented by defence lawyer Mark Waldron who stated that investigators were aware that his client had no ties with the other accused. He said that at the time of the incident, Taylor was visiting the victim who had been her friend for a number of years.
After being placed on remand, she later secured $80,000 bail at the High Court.
Kissoon had written to the Chancellor requesting an inquiry into the matter by his office. Kissoon stated, “I believe this is dangerous contempt for the sacred principle that a judge is neutral. In this case, the Magistrate took on a prosecutorial role. This aberration is too harmful to go uninvestigated. I am kindly asking for an inquiry from your office.”
Magistrate Judy Latchman
Also included in the letter was Kissoon’s take on what he believed was a “deplorable assault on judicial fairness.” Kissoon reminded the Judge of his address at the opening of the refurbishing Wales Magistrate’s Court when he urged members of the public to report legitimate cases of Magistrates’ misconduct.
Singh had told the gathering that he was very much accessible, before stressing however, that reports must be accurate.
Singh commended Kissoon for taking the initiative to act on what he perceived to be a citizen being treated unjustly in court.
However, Taylor is likely to face the robbery charges since according to the police, the DPP has recommended that the woman be charged. State Prosecutor, Inspector Joel Ricknauth told the Court at a second hearing that his superiors instructed that all parties who were brought before the courts, including Taylor, be prosecuted.
Robbery accused Alana Taylor