Vincentian Glenroy Pierre has now opted to seek legal representation after claiming of unfair treatment by the Virgin Islands' justice system. Photo: VINO/File

The Vincentian was expected to inform the court whether or not he was going to take to the witness box in his own defense. Pierre had opted to represent himself in the matter; however, he had a change of heart as he alleged that after being treated unfairly and taken advantage of in the matter, he has decided to seek legal representation.

Asked by Senior Magistrate Tamia Richards how he intended to go about acquiring a lawyer, the incarcerated Pierre said he has someone looking into that aspect of things on his behalf.

While noting that she would not be on the bench when he makes his next appearance, she ordered that Pierre return to the Magistrate’s Court on December 6, 2013 at which time he is to report on the matter of his legal representation.

Ms Richards told the defendant that it would be up to her replacement Magistrate to decide if he would be granted an adjournment.

Background

Glenroy Pierre, who was part of a trio including Adrian Arthur and Ralph James who have since been sentenced after their guilty pleas in the offence, is charged with illegal entry in addition to charges of supplying or offering to supply a controlled drug; possession of a controlled drug, importation or being concerned in the importation of a controlled drug and unlawful possession of a controlled drug.

When he had appeared before Magistrate Richards in October 2013, she had told him about a request for yet another adjournment made by the Crown when Pierre responded, “Every time I come here, I hearing the same thing. Nobody is telling me nothing.”

The Magistrate had attempted to tell the defendant that the Crown was having difficulty sorting which prosecutor would be conducting the trial when he interjected and said the last two times he came to court he was told the same story.

Pierre had complained that he had been stuck at the prison for nearly a year and was yet to get his trial off the ground and said he felt he was being treated unfairly.