Got TIPS or BREAKING NEWS? Please call 1-284-442-8000 direct/can also WhatsApp same number or Email ALL news to:newsvino@outlook.com;                               ads call 1-284-440-6666

No more adjournment for Andre Penn; Jurors fined!

-Justice Ellis sends strong signal she will not allow the court’s time to be wasted
Justice Ms Vicki Ann Ellis opened the October 2013 High Court assizes on a strong note, firstly issuing fines for two absent without notice jurors and warning alleged sex offender Andre Penn that there will be no adjournment of his matter on November 18, 2013. Photo: VINO/File
Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Mr Wayne Rajbansie (in photo) and Senior Crown Council Mr Valston Graham will be representing the Crown in Andre Penn's trail. Photo: VINO/File
Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Mr Wayne Rajbansie (in photo) and Senior Crown Council Mr Valston Graham will be representing the Crown in Andre Penn's trail. Photo: VINO/File
Andre Penn, who is to stand trial for 12 counts of sexual offences allegedly committed on a minor, was warned that there will be no adjournments in his trial when it comes up on November 18, 2013. Photo: VINO/File
Andre Penn, who is to stand trial for 12 counts of sexual offences allegedly committed on a minor, was warned that there will be no adjournments in his trial when it comes up on November 18, 2013. Photo: VINO/File
The October 2013 assizes of the Virgin Islands High Court commenced today October 1,2013. Photo: VINO/file
The October 2013 assizes of the Virgin Islands High Court commenced today October 1,2013. Photo: VINO/file
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Justice Vicki Ann Ellis opened the final High Court criminal assizes for the year 2013 today October 1 by sending strong signals that she means business. Former Legislator and alleged sex offender Mr Andre Penn received a stern warning while two absent jurors were fined.

Mr Penn was told that there will be no adjournment when his matter comes up for trial on November 18, 2013 while the two absent without notice jurors were fined $250.00 each.

 Justice Ellis told the court that jurors were warned about not attending court without following the correct procedures. This was told to all jurors during their orientation session prior to the opening of the assizes. 

Penn appeared in the High court for the opening of the assizes without his legal representative and spoke in his own defense. He told the court that he will 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 Ellis also advised that all legal matters likely to be raised by his lawyers be done by October 15, 2013 while the Crown must respond by October 31, 2013. The dates were proposed by Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Mr Wayne Rajbansie, who will be representing the crown, along with Senior Crown Council Mr Valston Graham. 

The warning came on the heels of an assurance given during the previous assizes by Justice Redhead who had told Penn in no uncertain terms “You will be tried. I will not be here but you will be tried”. 

Penn is accused of allegedly committing several sex related offences on a minor. His case has had several adjournments. Justice Redhead had has also told Penn that the court had been bending over backwards to accommodate him. 

In the High Court on July 24, 2013 Attorney at Law Michael Fay, QC, appeared on behalf of Penn and made yet another application for the trial to be traversed to the October 2013 assizes on the ground that an application was in the Court of Appeal for a stay of the criminal procedures pending a resolution of other issues before the courts at various levels.

14 Responses to “No more adjournment for Andre Penn; Jurors fined!”

  • --------------- (01/10/2013, 17:01) Like (0) Dislike (14) Reply
    Is she trying to be a readhead?
  • @@@@@ (01/10/2013, 17:04) Like (0) Dislike (8) Reply
    So you mean we the people do not have a choice if we do not wish to be a juroy?
    • excuse (01/10/2013, 17:46) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      No you just need a better excuse. unfortunately many who serve have no excuse not to, for instance employed, studying, running the country, too important, sick, etc, so those that remain can be a motley bunch. But hey, that's justice.
    • Native Boy (02/10/2013, 06:37) Like (0) Dislike (2) Reply
      They need to raise that jurors pay, what about the sacrifice of those who will loose $$$$ being off work?
      • ........ (02/10/2013, 07:34) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
        Just to inform you, you don't loose any pay from work. Your employer(s) still have to pay you your salary. And i am speaking from experience.
    • pat (02/10/2013, 11:58) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
      it is part of your civic duty in a democracy. making others do your job and then (probably) complaining about the outcome is irresponsible. Step up and get involved. that is why people don't speak out when they see a crime, or stand up for injustices or speak out in public meetings. They want everyone else to do their job for them. It is being a part of the community. It also helps educate jurors how things work and not base opinion on rumors because you were there!
  • ann (01/10/2013, 18:32) Like (6) Dislike (9) Reply
    poor jj this is double jeopardy
  • under the bus (01/10/2013, 21:53) Like (6) Dislike (21) Reply
    while i am not in a postion to say if he is inoncent or guilty it just seems like a witch hunt to get him
    • life (05/10/2013, 22:20) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      He was found guilty the first time around and was sentenced. He chose to appeal and in so doing, relive the nightmare.
  • mother (02/10/2013, 07:52) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply

    We need to commend these young ladies for being brave enough to come forward dispite the threats. It's not an easy thing to do. 

  • DeNutter (02/10/2013, 10:47) Like (1) Dislike (5) Reply

    Excuse me, this is not a double jeopardy. He was found "Guilty" already and that ruling was changed on his appeal due to the fact, according to him, "9" women on the jury.

  • Bob (02/10/2013, 15:45) Like (3) Dislike (2) Reply
    there is never any justice in the BVI for locals


Create a comment


Create a comment

Disclaimer: Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) welcomes your thoughts, feedback, views, bloggs and opinions. However, by posting a blogg you are agreeing to post comments or bloggs that are relevant to the topic, and that are not defamatory, liable, obscene, racist, abusive, sexist, anti-Semitic, threatening, hateful or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be excluded permanently from making contributions. Please view our declaimer above this article. We thank you in advance for complying with VINO's policy.

Follow Us On

Disclaimer: All comments posted on Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) are the sole views and opinions of the commentators and or bloggers and do not in anyway represent the views and opinions of the Board of Directors, Management and Staff of Virgin Islands News Online and its parent company.