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'Big Showdown' in little John’s Hole! Magistrate & Prosecutor trade off!

Senior Magistrate Tamia Richards (left) had a brief exchange with Principal Crown Counsel Tiffany Scatliffe before adjourning proceedings indefinitely earlier today, December 12, 2012. Photo:VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Things took a bizarre twist as Senior Magistrate Tamia Richards abruptly adjourned the morning’s court proceedings earlier today, December 12, 2012 after a brief exchange between herself and Principal Crown Counsel Tiffany Scatliffe.

During a court hearing earlier today, the Magistrate requested information from Ms Scatliffe regarding the defendant’s status with regard to bail and police custody. Things quickly became heated as a sharp exchange appeared to be brewing when Ms Scatliffe seemed to be debating the role of the Police in matters of bail and confinement with the Magistrate.

Magistrate Richards immediately chided the Senior Prosecutor and warned her not to argue with her. The discussions continued before Magistrate Richards again repeated her request, this time pointing to the court officers and saying, “You see these big officers here… they have somewhere they can take you.”

Meanwhile, Ms Scatliffe continued to robustly defend herself, refuting that she was in fact arguing with the Magistrate and raising her voice as she was accused of doing. She then offered a terse apology, but no one was prepared for what came next.

Magistrate Richards paused briefly and abruptly declared that the matter being heard would now be stood down and proceedings for the day adjourned indefinitely before leaving the courtroom to attend to matters at another court.

47 Responses to “'Big Showdown' in little John’s Hole! Magistrate & Prosecutor trade off! ”

  • ... (12/12/2012, 11:35) Like (2) Dislike (3) Reply
    my my my two locals at it!!!
  • Chris (12/12/2012, 11:38) Like (8) Dislike (2) Reply
    Childish matters from both judge and crown ...this is why we can't have a deacent cort system becuase of childish people, you come to do a job then do it don't get tempelmentel about little stuff like this..
  • cris (12/12/2012, 11:38) Like (15) Dislike (58) Reply
    See why we need the expats? these damn locals have no decorum and everything is crab in a barrel, no unity no common sense so frigging shameful.
    • mary j (12/12/2012, 11:48) Like (14) Dislike (7) Reply
      hush you rass cris our locals must rule in dem own country boss
      • Locally made (12/12/2012, 12:49) Like (7) Dislike (3) Reply
        @ Mary J

        Some of you only glad for locals to rule so that you can get your own way. We are not really concern about our locals, we are more concern about our own damn selves and our selfish ways. I tend to agree with crisis because we do not support each other in this country. Everybody want to have their own way and that is the problem.
        • cris (12/12/2012, 13:44) Like (1) Dislike (3) Reply
          Thank you locally made. i wasn't making fun of the locals i was just stating a fact but mary j got a fit. all we care about around here is me me me, f everybody else and f the country. this is not about loving locals, it's about doing what you want. same with the police force. everybody pushing for local this and that so their buddies can help them out. they care nothing for the country. if youc are about yourelf das your right but don't try to mask it as if u care bout the country.
    • Dum A...People!!! (12/12/2012, 11:57) Like (4) Dislike (4) Reply
      @cris, why don't you do a web search I am pretty sure you will find the same issues in other countries so please please stop with your ignance and yes I said IGNANCE!!!!!!
    • Appalled (13/12/2012, 07:15) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      It's clear to me and maybe many on here that you're still in mental slavery Cris! I'm proud for what the magistrate did and she was in here right to do so. If the crown counsel was not properly prepared to produced what was required then why waste the court time? The magistrate IMHO took the high road. If she was childish as is suggested earlier in comments she would've ordered the arresting of the crown counsel for contempt of court. So to quell a situation that had escalated to a point where it might happen again she did the right thing by adjourning the matter for a later date. By saying indefinitely just meant that there is no date set at the moment. The case can be schedule as early as next week to reconvene. So please don't be so quick to judge the "locals".

      I haven't seen quick rush to judgement over the many times the "non-local" magistrate fumbled. When need to stop pick at the faults of others and look at the good they do.
  • Free mud (12/12/2012, 11:43) Like (8) Dislike (3) Reply
    Utter disrespect for the magistrate.
    • JOHNNY COCHRAN (12/12/2012, 13:31) Like (6) Dislike (20) Reply

      ..... BUT I ALMOST FORGOT THATS HOW EAST END PEOPLE ACT WHEN THEY GET A LITTLE POWER.....

  • Sherry (12/12/2012, 11:45) Like (14) Dislike (6) Reply
    Crown Counsel, SHAME on you. You should know, whether or not there is ill feeling between you and the Magistrate, you respect her position.

    Shame on you.
    • COALPIT (12/12/2012, 14:05) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply

      That is just what the new DPP teaching her. The two of them have the same mentality. This is not the first time we witnessed this behaviour from her. Help us, buddy.

  • HHH (12/12/2012, 12:27) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    2 @$$
  • Yes (12/12/2012, 12:30) Like (3) Dislike (2) Reply
    a hen fight...LOL
    • pull (12/12/2012, 17:22) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
      I have no idea why two busy persons like scaliffe and tammie find the time to beahave like this in public in the first place.
    • ring side (12/12/2012, 23:45) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
      i backing l Tiffany in the hen fight! BAM
  • LOL! (12/12/2012, 12:34) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
    LMAO! More to come from the so called 'sweet Magistrate' Hahaha!
  • wake up (12/12/2012, 12:57) Like (11) Dislike (1) Reply

    I think it is a shame and very very disrespectful. Should have made an example of her and send her to cool her little heels in a cell. Locals want to see other locals move forward. Shame on you for not behaving like a professional and respecting the position of magistrate. What then do you expect of other who disrespect the law you should be upholding. You should be leading by example!!!

    • shmh (12/12/2012, 17:42) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      I agree with u.... is this the example being set for our future leaders.
  • review (12/12/2012, 13:40) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Sometime people that come on here what they say do not need to be posted. It seem to me like only when some people come on here is the only time they would read of behavior like this and they go on to think these types of things only happen in the BVI and by local people, please foolishness. When you read other caribbean country it is even worst where the court lock up them counterparts. What the hell local has to do with it the Magistrate has to take control of her court and this is her doing it. The DDP office need to get them act together and stop trying to rule the court and the police force period and these kind of thing will not happen. blah, blah, blah
    • cris (12/12/2012, 13:57) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
      it happens in other islands so we should accept it? ok, so next killing, raping etc. i'll just google whats happening in other islands and accept it. thanks i feel better already.
  • bless (12/12/2012, 13:42) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    You need to repect the magistrate, she is a very far young lady.GOD put her they and noone can move her but Him,SO PEOPLE CHILL OUT! WE GOT YOUR BACK
  • 1 (12/12/2012, 15:47) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    what the hick wid dem two?
    • choice (12/12/2012, 16:54) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
      That didn't happen in my court!!
      • apple pie (13/12/2012, 00:24) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
        come on girls behave the teacher will bring you both an apple now....how would you like it, red or green?
  • rattie (12/12/2012, 15:54) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    power play mey bouy
  • SKA (12/12/2012, 16:30) Like (5) Dislike (2) Reply
    these two sharing the same man or wa? nonsense
  • vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv (12/12/2012, 16:46) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Big Showdown in Little John's Hole. Funny.
  • game (12/12/2012, 16:58) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
    Fortunately for both they born here, maybe they had a few drinks (Hot bush tea) in private before
  • @@@@@ (12/12/2012, 18:31) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    respect is due on both sides
  • reality (12/12/2012, 18:40) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    People just like to come on these blogs to air their true feelings about BVIslanders whenever something develops. Cowards hiding behind blogs to make the BVI and its people look bad. We are not a perfect country, just like your country and no matter how you try to disrespect the people by talking negative about us...we will continue to rise. The long and short of this story is that even if the magistrate is not liked, she has to be respected in her position; she has to be respected in her court room...case closed. Leave the disagreements for outside the court.
  • Chris (12/12/2012, 19:01) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply

    Well Tif...y alway had a mouth on her for when we went to school,

  • alpine (12/12/2012, 19:16) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply

    T......y S........e should be a dam shame of herself big face Valarie not there to backup her up Magistrate do what you have to do you have the handle she has the blade she to dam bad minded cant stan her tried to lock up all her locals but she she go ahead DAM SHMAE ON S.......E Do what I say you have to do Magistrate you not on the same level as her let DPP take that!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • Who is she, God? (12/12/2012, 19:54) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    Just because they call the Magistrate "your worship" does not mean that she is God. Free country, freedom of expression, all of that is in our Constitution. The Counsel has a right to disagree. The Counsel has a right to voice her concern. This is whether inside or outside the Courtroom.

    You blind people don't see that the Court is behaving like Royalty? WHo is going to police the police? Who is going to correct the Court if not us?
  • legal team (12/12/2012, 23:03) Like (3) Dislike (4) Reply
    I love that story VINO:Most importantly,members of the public are allowed to express themselves freely in our lovely democracy on how they feel about both or each public officer-Magistrate and Crown Counsel.Oh,I love that.As a former officer of the court,my view is that,there will be exchange of words between a magistrate and an officer of the court,be it crown counsel or defense lawyer:They are human beings in a court of law.The little [draammaar] is good!Once there is no disrespect towards each other,the magistrate can ask question,and counsel can respond,to the best of her knowledge.It shouldn't always be a situation where the magistrate must get a response which favors her. Of course counsel can talk-back to the magistrate:Nothing is wrong with that!The magistrate can talk and counsel can talk too.The news did not report that either the magistrate or the Counsel was disrespectful to each other,so this court show-down is good for democracy.This is what we want in the BVI, people expressing themselves freely under the Constitution,without insults to each other.Counsel and Magistrate;I worked in the office of the DPP for 2 yrs 2007-2009,together with you all.I see you all work in harmony and friendship as civilized educated BV-Islanders.Both of you have given good service to your country.Continue to serve.I know is no bad blood between you two.Thanks for the little show-down in the court house,so that people can write bloggs. I hope to hear of more show-down in the courtroom soon.Case adjourned sine die.
  • wize-up (13/12/2012, 07:07) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    you why our little islands will be taken over; united we stand divided we must fall
  • names please (13/12/2012, 10:24) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I would like to know who makes up the J & Legal Commission
  • On looker (13/12/2012, 21:32) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Ms. Scat life this is velleity the magistrate should have done what the judge did in St. Kitts last month hold you in contempt of court, and send you to jail for a few days. Sometimes an example has to be made of one person for others to Learn. Ladies the world is watching us we are not perfect, but we can do much better than that. Ms. Richards you did the right thing. As officers of the law the public does not want to see a display of hamartia from neither of you. Ladies here is my advice to you both; before you take to the court room pray and read your bible and ask God to teach you guys how to be humble and grace to make it to another court day. I leave with you a few text in the bible. Proverbs 15:33, 18:12, 22:4, 1 Timothy 5:4 and 1 Peter 5:5-6. Which says: Likewise, ye younger,submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another,and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and give drace to the humble. Vs: 6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time . I wish you both a merry Christmas.
  • kiss and tell (16/12/2012, 12:21) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    hope by now they have kissed and made up!
  • dock (18/12/2012, 12:15) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    So is NOT VIP fault?


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