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Andre Penn’s retrial traversed to 2014 assizes

Mr Andre Penn's case has been traversed to the February 2014 High Court assizes. Photo: VINO/File
The public has been denied further details about the processes of the trial as in an unusual move, High Court Judge the Honourable Justice Rajiv Persad, on November 18, 2013 issued a court order in the case of The Queen vs Andre Penn to have the matter re-tried 'in camera'. Photo: VINO/File
The public has been denied further details about the processes of the trial as in an unusual move, High Court Judge the Honourable Justice Rajiv Persad, on November 18, 2013 issued a court order in the case of The Queen vs Andre Penn to have the matter re-tried 'in camera'. Photo: VINO/File
Two high court judges, Mr Albert Redhead and Ms Vicki Ann Ellis, have expressed concerns about the many adjournments in Andre Penn's case. Photo: VINO/File
Two high court judges, Mr Albert Redhead and Ms Vicki Ann Ellis, have expressed concerns about the many adjournments in Andre Penn's case. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI - “No more adjournments for Andre Penn…” this was part of a headline carried by Virgin Islands News Online on October 1, 2013 as it was a stern warning dished out by High Court Judge Vicki Ann Ellis at the opening of the final assizes of the High Court for 2013.

However, the former legislator has succeeded in getting yet another adjournment. It was announced at the closing of the criminal assizes yesterday Monday December 16, 2013 that Penn’s case, among others, have been traversed to the next assizes scheduled to commence in February 2014.

Mr Penn was told in October that there would not have been any further adjournments in his matter initially scheduled for trial on November 18, 2013. The trial did not start on that scheduled date.

On October 1, 2013 Penn had appeared in the High court for the opening of the assizes without his legal representative and spoke in his own defense. He had told the court that he would be represented by Mr John Benjamin, QC and Dr. Henry Brown, QC when the matter is called on November 18. 

“There will be no adjournment Mr Penn,” Justice Ellis sternly said. Those were no strange words to Penn as he was told so by Justice Albert Redhead during previous assizes. 

Justice Redhead had told Penn “You will be tried. I will not be here but you will be tried”. 

However, the public has been denied further details about the processes of the trial as in an unusual move, High Court Judge Rajiv Persad, on November 18, 2013 issued a court order in the case of The Queen vs Andre Penn to have the matter re-tried in camera.

The order, which was served on all media houses via a government press release, prohibited all media houses from covering the case in the court of the retrial of former legislator and Eighth District Representative Andre Penn.

The matter directed that the case is to be heard “in camera” until further order from the court, which to date has not been forthcoming.

Penn is accused of allegedly committing several sex related offences on a minor. His case has had several adjournments and Justice Redhead had told Penn that the court had been bending over backwards to accommodate him. This continues to one of the oldest cases before the High Court of the Virgin Islands.

23 Responses to “Andre Penn’s retrial traversed to 2014 assizes”

  • TEK DAT (17/12/2013, 08:13) Like (15) Dislike (1) Reply
    No adjournment - look how this individual making a mockery and puppet out of the justice system. The power covering him is strong.
    • x factor (17/12/2013, 08:38) Like (4) Dislike (24) Reply
      god is on his side
      • @xfactor (17/12/2013, 09:33) Like (17) Dislike (5) Reply
        God don't bless wrong, so leave God out of it (I guess it depends on which god you mean anyway).

        @ long look me ... Local or not local, let it be fairly tried and let justice for both parties prevail. I don't know if he's guilty because I wasn't there, neither were you. If the victim is telling the truth, then let it come out If the defendant is talking the truth, then let the scales of justice weigh it out.
        • Kingfish (18/12/2013, 06:17) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
          @xfactor: You need to read your post again and so should the 14 people who like you post, after reading it again you will find your mistake.
          • Kingfish (18/12/2013, 07:44) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
            My post should have been directed to the person who replied to xfactor on 12/17/13 @ 09.33 and not to xfactor.
      • wishers (18/12/2013, 11:44) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply

        foolishness, God don't like ugly

      • hey hey (18/12/2013, 17:48) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply

        The African Obeah...time longer than twine.

    • shaw (17/12/2013, 10:36) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
      he is due his day in court. We don't know what the truth is and there are legal reasons why he got an extension, like the right to representation from UK solicitors who have their own schedules. It is an expensive proposition with a man's life at stake. Let the process work. I am glad that it is being heard "in camera" to ensure at least the look of objectivity. The public has their own opinions which could prejudice the jury. The previous judge made statements in the media while the case was open. I found this very unprofessional.
    • pat (18/12/2013, 12:12) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      how a mockery? is he not entitled to representation? unfortunately, his has to come from UK because people have already branded and sentenced him. let the system work. He will be found guilty or innocent without outside opinions who don't have the whole storey.
  • long look me come from (17/12/2013, 08:29) Like (6) Dislike (31) Reply
    Let my ppl go he is being hang because he local no justice no peace
    • please (17/12/2013, 09:03) Like (21) Dislike (1) Reply
      Doesn't the victim deserve justice too, its only fair he is tried and if innocent then so be it. Think before you type nonsense.
  • sn (17/12/2013, 09:50) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    I just cannot wait until this whole thing is over
  • ccc (17/12/2013, 11:28) Like (6) Dislike (14) Reply
    Why you all hate jj so he is one of us too
  • FRANK (17/12/2013, 14:09) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
    This is a mockery of our Justice System, plain and simple.
  • Justice delayed is justice denied (17/12/2013, 14:31) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply

    No judge has the balls.... They all afraid including the present judge. We all know who asking for the adjournment. Simple, I have lost respect for the judiciary.
    All the people who are marching against violence against women should hush because before our very eyes a matter of great importance is being delayed.

    • @ Justice delayed is justice denied (17/12/2013, 16:01) Like (2) Dislike (14) Reply

      hus your bias r@$$ here with your own wicked agenda leave the good family alone

  • Judge Judy (17/12/2013, 14:47) Like (10) Dislike (3) Reply

    The judges are tolerating this foolishness. Let the case be heard. Why all these adjournments and statements from the bench that "this is the final adjournment." Judge, you have already failed the people of Nature's Little Secret.

    • Virgin Son (17/12/2013, 16:03) Like (3) Dislike (6) Reply
      you haters leave the matter alone Mr. Penn god will see you through
  • Jim (17/12/2013, 17:01) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Oh my goodness this is going on far too long.
  • dummy u are (17/12/2013, 21:11) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    Both are victims have suffered people just get off it and be fair
  • big bird (18/12/2013, 21:28) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    enough of this crap! spend time on constructive matters. ughhh.


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