Andre A. Penn in the compound of the High Court this morning, July 8, 2013. Photo: VINO

Alleged sex offender Andre A. Penn was refused a further adjournament in the High Court today, Monday July 8, 2013. The retrial of Penn has begun with him unrepresented. The defendant also refused to answer when pleaded. Photo: VINO/File

Ian Thomas aka DJ Commodore was given a final adjournment in the High Court on July 2, 2013. Photo: djcommodore.com

Justice Redhead said the High Court of the Virgin Islands had bent over backwards over an extended time as it related to the case.

Husbands told the court that an Application of Appeal was filed in the Court of Appeal on Friday July 5, 2013. However, this was viewed by Justice Redhead as a deliberate attempt to prevent the trial from proceeding today, July 8, 2013.

Andre Penn, who had earlier stated that he was advised by his counsel not to participate in the trial this morning, stood to beg the court to give him until tomorrow for the start of the case as he wanted an opportunity to make contact with his lawyer.

Justice Redhead insisted that Penn was deliberately attempting to deceive the court, however, Penn objected to the notion.

Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Wayne Rajbansie also supported Redhead’s suspicions and told the court that Penn was attempting to prejudice the panel of jurors that are currently in court with the prolonged deliberation.

Meanwhile, Justice Redhead entered not guilty pleas for Penn since he refused to answer when pleaded for the 12 charges before him.

See previous article posted July 3, 2013

UPDATE: Retrial of alleged sex offender Penn may start next week

The retrial of Andre A. Penn has had its fair share of delays, but the High Court is set to move ahead with the case.

Justice Albert Redhead yesterday July 2, 2013 was assured that the Crown is ready to go ahead with the trial. Penn is to have a retrial for alleged sex offence matters and the case has already seen a series of adjournments as the defendant allegedly had issues relating to his representation.

Justice Redhead told the court that Penn is to return to the High Court on Monday July 8, 2013 as the crown is ready to proceed with the case.

See previous article posted July 2, 2013:

DJ Commodore's cases deferred until October 2013

Jamaican brothers Michael & Patrick Facey accused of assault and possession of offensive weapon trial commence today July 2, 2013 in High Court 

ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI - Frustrations on the parts of the complainant were stretched further on July 2, 2013 when the trial for Ian Thomas aka DJ Commodore was deferred to the October 2013 assizes by Justice Albert Redhead.

Justice Redhead has made it clear that in the case of Thomas it is the final time that the trial is being adjourned. The trial had previously been adjourned for later dates several times before.

The time was given for attorney at law Patrick Thompson to familiarize himself with the case but today, Thompson requested a further adjournment as he said he needed more time. This has led to the trial being deferred to the October 2013 assizes.

The trial of Andre Penn was rescheduled for report on Monday July 8, 2013.

Meanwhile, the trial of the Jamaican Brothers Michael and Patrick Facey commenced in the High Court this morning. They are being tried for allegedly assaulting a man on July 31, 2011 and for possession of offensive weapons.

They are being represented by attorney at law Stephen Daniels. The crown is being represented by Senior Crown council Leslie Ann Faulkner and Principal Crown Council Tiffany Scatliffe.