Magistrate Dr Velon John said defendant, Glenroy Pierre (above), had been languishing in the Territory's penal institution for an inordinate length of time. Photo: VINO/File

Magistrate John made the proclamation yesterday, January 9, 2014 during a hearing that was expected to be the restart of a trial for Vincentian, Glenroy Pierre.

Pierre, who has been on remand for some 16 months, pleaded not guilty to charges of 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.

Trial had begun for the defendant, who was previously unrepresented, but this was aborted after Pierre demanded representation citing unfair treatment in the trial and the simultaneous departure of Senior Magistrate Tamia Richards for maternity leave.

According to Magistrate John, “This man has been languishing in your penal institution for an inordinate length of time.”

Pierre, after complaining of the constant adjournments before his first trial, had previously been told by Senior Magistrate Tamia Richards that his situation was not unique as some matters took over a year to begin at the Magistrate’s Court.

The Crown, represented by attorney, Herbert Potter, indicated yesterday that they would not be able to begin the trial as the investigating officer is on leave and out of the jurisdiction and an immigration officer expected to testify was ill.

Potter further stated that the defence asked for re-disclosure of the documents pertaining to the trial, some of which had already been put into evidence in the preceding trial.

Defence attorney, Patrick Thompson argued that there was no excuse for the prosecution offering reasons for the absence of two of six possible witnesses, when there were four others who could have given evidence to proceed with the trial, all of whom happened to be Police or Immigration Officers.

Magistrate John said there was a clear dereliction of duty under the circumstances and someone must account for where the witnesses are.

He further indicated that the circumstances amounted to an abuse of the process and referred to the situation as maladministration. “As I stated before, I have difficulty making peace with administrative mediocrity,” Magistrate John said.

He added that it was for this reason he had written the Governor and the Deputy Governor on the attendance of officers at the Magistrate’s Court. He expressed hope that the defendant would have his day in court as soon as possible and said the system owed Pierre an apology.

“But the system is not getting a salary at the end of the month,” he continued while noting that it was the responsibility of individuals to ensure that proper systems were in place to ensure attendance at court.

Persons, he stated, were not doing what they are supposed to do and if the system was not working it should be rectified.

After a lengthy debate between the defence and prosecution, Magistrate John set Pierre’s trial for restart on February 5, 2014.