Clarendon bloodbath #2

[Tuff Gong]

Re: Clarendon bloodbath #2

Fri Jun 24, 2005
‘Give me a break’

Amnesty International has scoffed at threats from Attorney General AJ Nicholson that a member of the group could be charged with contempt of court because of comments about the possible outcome of the Kraal trial.

Amnesty has released a strong defence of the comments of its official, Piers Bannister, who has also dismissed the possibility of being found in contempt of court.

According to Mr. Bannister, his comment that it was unlikely that any of the policemen would be found guilty of murder in connection with the fatal shooting of four persons in Kraal Clarendon, was based on the track record of the local courts.

He says he was not attempting to influence the outcome of the trial.

On Wednesday the Attorney General argued that Mr. Bannister's comments about the possible outcome of the Kraal trial amounted to an attack on the integrity of Jamaica's judicial system.

According to Mr. Nicholson, he was considering what action could be taken to prevent this type of allegation from being made public in the future.

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[Tuff Gong]

Re: Clarendon bloodbath #2

Amnesty's supercilious talk

Friday, June 24, 2005

Many Jamaicans, we suspect, are often offended by the arrogant and supercilious manner with which many international institutions talk to, and about, this country, regarding the conduct of its affairs.

So there is likely to be some sympathy for the sense of outrage that has been betrayed by the attorney general and minister of justice, Mr A J Nicholson, in response to comments by Mr Piers Bannister of Amnesty International.

Mr Bannister caused offence with his conclusion that Senior Superintendent Reneto Adams will inevitably be freed of murder in the Crawle case; not because of his innocence but because that is the norm in matters involving the Jamaican police.

In other words, Mr Bannister, in Mr Nicholson's view, came to an a priori conclusion that is contemptuous of Jamaican justice, although not specifically contempt of court.

Mr Nicholson's position rests on his interpretation of Mr Bannister's remark as an assertion that there will be a conspiracy for the miscarriage of justice.

What Mr Nicholson appears not to have clearly established is that the courts would, knowingly, act corruptly in this miscarriage of justice, according to Mr Bannister's reasoning, and would therefore be party to this presumed conspiracy.

On the face of it, Mr Bannister's complaint was targeted primarily at law enforcement and other aspects of the system rather than the judiciary.

Moreover, Mr Bannister's initial comments were contained in an exchange of emails between himself and Mr Desmond Allen, the writer of the profile on Mr Adams, which might raise questions about whether a public ridicule of the judicial system was intended.

But even if there was such intent, we would advise the attorney general to reconsider his decision to research what charge may be brought against Mr Bannister, and we presume his organisation, to protect Jamaica's good name "and its reputation for strict adherence to the rule of law".

To be clear, this newspaper has had reason in the past to find the tone of statements by Mr Bannister and his colleagues at Amnesty about Jamaica as highly offensive, partisan, bullying and lacking in a nuanced understanding or interpretation of the facts.

Yet, even if there was an uncritical embrace that adherence to the rule of law was unblemished in Jamaica, we would still insist that it could profit either Jamaica or the government little to take legal action against Mr Bannister or Amnesty. Even if such an action was possible.

The fact is that this newspaper believes that the right of free speech, and for critical analysis of the institutions of the state, should be expanded rather than narrowed.

When the state begins to take action against individuals for statements which officials may find offensive, but can hardly incite criminal behaviour, it becomes the thin edge of the wedge.

That is why this newspaper believes that legal concepts such as criminal libel ought to have no place in modern states and that governments should be exceedingly circumspect in considering bringing charges for offences such as incitement or related crimes.

The best antidote for what Mr Nicholson may consider the condescension of persons like Mr Bannister is for Jamaica to strengthen the institution of the state, so that they work effectively and are reposed with public trust.

That, ultimately, is the best safeguard of the integrity of the country.
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[Tuff Gong]

Re: Clarendon bloodbath #2

<a href="http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/letters/html/20050626t190000-0500_83151_obs_amnesty_is_right.asp" target="_blank">Amnesty is right

Monday, June 27, 2005</a>
Amnesty stands firm
<a href="http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/letters/html/20050628t220000-0500_83254_obs_amnesty_will_continue_to_speak_on_h uman_rights_abuses.asp" target="_blank">Amnesty will continue to speak on human rights abuses

Wednesday, June 29, 2005</a>
<a href="http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/editorial/html/20050628t230000-0500_83277_obs_the_temerity_of_mr_piers_bannister. asp" target="_blank">The temerity of Mr Piers Bannister

Wednesday, June 29, 2005</a>

[Tuff Gong]

Re: Clarendon bloodbath #2

Mon Jul 11, 2005

Amnesty International official gets tongue lashing from lawyers

Monday defence attorneys in the Kraal murder case ripped into Amnesty International official Piers Bannister over his recent comments regarding Senior Superintendent Reneto Adams.

The attorneys described Mr. Bannister's comments as offensive and outrageous.

Mr Bannister was recently quoted as saying that SSP Adams and his men would not be convicted in the Kraal case.

SSP Adams and five members of his unit were charged with four counts of murder last year arising from the May 2003 shooting death of four persons, including two women, during a police operation in Kraal, Clarendon.

The comments did not sit will with the attorneys, who argued that the London-based Amnesty International official has questioned the integrity of the local justice system.

Attorney Earl Witter said Mr. Bannister's comments have tainted the local judiciary.

Presiding judge Miss Kay Beckford first sought to restrain herself from commenting on Mr. Bannister's statement, but eventually argued that "individuals outside" who are making statements should “first look in the mirror”.

Miss Justice Beckford defended the local system and argued that the Jamaican justice system has been able to effectively deliver justice to its citizens for many years.

She described the local justice system as "first world" and noted that those criticising must remember that we inherited the system from England.

Attorney General AJ Nicholson recently lashed Mr. Bannister for the comments and warned that the Amnesty International official could be cited for contempt of court.

Amnesty International official gets tongue lashing from lawyers

[Tuff Gong]

Re: Clarendon bloodbath #2

Mon Jul 11, 2005

Trouble finding prosecutor for Kraal murder case

Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Kent Pantry, has admitted that the recent exodus of senior prosecutors from his department is making it extremely difficult for him to find someone to prosecute the controversial Kraal murder case.

Mr. Pantry made the comment in court Monday while applying for an adjournment of the trial.

Former head of the Crime Management Unit, Senior Superintendent Reneto Adams and other members of his disbanded unit, are facing four counts of murder arising from the Kraal case.

The trial was originally scheduled to begin on September 19.

But Mr. Pantry told presiding judge Miss Justice Kay Beckford that he had no other choice but to request an adjournment until November 14.

In applying for a new date, the DPP explained that he is now grappling with a high turnover of senior members of his staff.

He said the turnover has created logistical problems for him in finding senior persons to assign to the Kraal case.

Mr. Pantry did not explain why he was pressing for the November 14, trial date.

But government sources told RJR News that the authorities are now in negotiations with former DPP prosecutor Terrence Williams to take over the case.

The sources said Mr. Williams, who is now the Director of Public Prosecutions in the British Virgin Islands, has a busy schedule and would not be able to take up the assignment until November.

But defence attorneys were in no mood for another delay in the trial.

Lead attorney K. Churchill Neita strongly opposed Mr. Pantry's application and urged the presiding judge not to accede to the request.

Speaking with RJR News Monday afternoon, Mr. Neita argued that SSP Adams had been removed from police duty for quite some time now and suggested that the DPP prosecute the case himself.

Following much deliberation, October 31 was then set as a firm trial date for the matter.

Forty-nine new statements were handed over to the defence on Monday.

This brought to 150 the number of statements of witnesses scheduled to testify at the trial.

SSP Adams and five members of his unit were charged with four counts of murder last year arising from the May 2003 shooting death of four persons, including two women, during a police operation in Kraal, Clarendon.

Trouble finding prosecutor for Kraal murder case

[Sinco01]

Re: Clarendon bloodbath #2

any more on the set up for mis-trial ... [img]/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif[/img]

[RichD]

Re: Clarendon bloodbath #2

i see that have arested and charged another 2 officers as accesory to murder story

[Q3210]

Re: Clarendon bloodbath #2

Indeed, found to have planted guns on the suspects as they lay dead after being executed.

[Sinco01]

Re: Clarendon bloodbath #2

well ... well ... well !



but not un-expected .. being doing things like this from long time

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[Magnum]

Re: Clarendon bloodbath #2

[img]/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img]

[Q3210]

Re: Clarendon bloodbath #2

The saga continues unabated, vigilante justice, Saddam/Bush/Blair style in Jamaica. The following was taken from today`s Sunday Gleaner:-

Police kill four in Portmore
published: Sunday &#0124; July 31, 2005

Rasbert Turner, Gleaner Writer

Spanish Town

THE BUREAU of Special Investigation (BSI) has been called in to investigate the killing of four men by the police in Portmore, St. Catherine, last Friday night.

Two of the men have been identified by aliases only: 'Bleach Off' and 'Handset', while Oniel Rodney 'Jah Mikes', 30 years old, and 29-year-old Caswell White, were the other two persons killed.

Reports reaching The Sunday Gleaner are that about 11:30 p.m. on Friday, police went to Penny Avenue, Old Passage Fort, Portmore, St. Catherine, where they accosted six men who allegedly opened fire on the lawmen. The fire was returned and the four men were later found suffering from gunshot wounds. A further search of the area led the police to the seizure of three firearms, two 380 semi-automatic pistols with seven rounds and a glock pistol with six rounds.

The Waterford police said they were acting on intelligence when the incident occurred. They claimed that these men were part of a criminal gang that is committing several heinous crimes in the Portmore area. However, the residents' version differs significantly from that of the police.

HEARD FOOTSTEPS

According to one resident, Alvin Mitchell, he was at home in the area when the police came and started to shine flashlights. He said that he heard footsteps and explosions, then he looked outside. "When a look out, mi see di police a draw mi bredren name Caswell pon di ground. Mi see dem put dem fi lay down and fired several shots. A next yout that was on the gully was also shot." He said the police then put the men in a jeep and drove off.

Other residents who came on the scene claimed also that the men were killed in execution style.

Detective Sergeant Leon Clunis of the BSI who is heading the investigation, said that it is preliminary at this stage and he is unable to comment at this time.

[Sinco01]

Re: Clarendon bloodbath #2

So others are ready to "step into the shoes of Saddam" already ... this cycle is hard to break

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it has been like this for too long ..

[neutral]

Re: Clarendon bloodbath #2

Originally posted by Sinco01:
[qb] So others are ready to "step into the shoes of Saddam" already ... this cycle is hard to break

[/qb]

You sound surprised,dont be,this kind of thing has been going on long before "saddam" made it fashionable,it`s nothing new....long before the green bay massacre my friend was made to lie on the ground then executed with a shot to his head.

[Q3210]

Re: Clarendon bloodbath #2

I remember you mentioning that Neutral long time ago.
The cries of foul, foul, murder, murder have gone on unabated...and the graves have been dug long before time to do so.

[Dr.Dudd]

Re: Clarendon bloodbath #2

Let me see how long before Alvin Mitchell will live for,before he dissapears.
I am sure if he was from a different class his name would not jave been rewported,but what is the value of the life of another black man in Jamaica!!
They know that by reporting his name it is sure death from the police,but they do it ant way. Sometimes i wonder who the reporters and editors serve!
certainly not the averrage black Jamaican.