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Legal representation for alleged station attacker holds up case

Judge says Ramon George should be assigned lawyer by May 8 for arraignment
Ramon George is yet to acquire legal representation following a break down in relation with his previous lawyer in July 2011. He has applied for legal aid and Judge Redhead wants him to be represented for the May 8, 2012 arraignment.
Courtney Meade has secured the services of Richard Howe who was out of jurisdiction this week but expected to return next week.
Courtney Meade has secured the services of Richard Howe who was out of jurisdiction this week but expected to return next week.
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Referring to the situation yesterday May 1, 2012, where it was disclosed that one of the alleged Road Town Police Station attackers was yet to be assigned a legal aid lawyer which resulted in the hold-up of the case, Judge Albert Redhead said it is “wasting the court’s time” and instructed that Ramon George be assigned a lawyer by May 8, 2012 – the day that has been set for the arraignment of the three alleged attackers.

George, Courtney Meade and Gerald Huggins, are charged with carrying an unlicensed firearm, assault occasioning actual bodily harm and unlawful possession of explosives.

The three men, along with Kareem Simon who has since pleaded guilty and is serving an 8 year sentence, during the wee hours of November 24, 2010, three of the four allegedly stormed into the Road Town Police Station masked, with a handgun and other weapons. In the process, they allegedly asked the location of confiscated cocaine. According to Police, within minutes they were arrested and subdued.

According to Principal Crown Counsel Tiffany Scatliffe, the men have been in custody for quite some time and she is calling for the matter to be dealt with soon. George and Meade are on remand while Huggins is on bail.

She further stated that George has never gotten any further than appearing before the court. Scatliffe said it was the reason why the case was reassigned while the prosecution was ready for some time and it was unfair to the defendants whose legal counsels were not available.

Meade is represented by Richard Rowe who was not present and was said to be out of the jurisdiction.

A representative from Legal Aid was present and said they have sent out the assignment letter for Mr. George but they did not have a definite answer as to how long it will take for him to be assigned a lawyer.

Judge Redhead said in that regard, “Counsel is not here, they supposed to be arraigned, cannot be arraigned... wasting the court’s time”.
He asked if there was any likelihood that George will be assigned and when, the Legal Aid representative answered in the affirmative but said she could not say when.

Judge Redhead sat aside May 8 for arraignment and firmly stated that Mr. George should be assigned a lawyer by then.

5 Responses to “Legal representation for alleged station attacker holds up case”

  • Fairy Godmother (02/05/2012, 07:40) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Judge, slow down a bit. You are acting very quickly like an immature boy. Slow down, things dont always work that way. Let me ask you a question: when the lawyer is assigned and let's say tomorrow, then wont he/she need time tio prperae? Judge, you are a retired judge. Slow down
  • I wonder (02/05/2012, 10:34) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I wonder why this is continue and judge after judge jumps on the band wagon of the BVI Government's Legal Aid Board footing the bill for every Tom, Dick and Harry, no matter the charge who appear before them! I wonder why the Legal Aid Board continues to be a rubber stamp of 'yes' even when we are suppose to be tightening our belts. I wonder why some of these accused persons aren't being asked the question are you trying to get a lawyer on your own because the BVI Government cannot foot the bill for everyone to 'Prosecute' and 'Defend' matters. I wonder why it is accepted that this is suppose to be the case. I wonder why these young men, for instance, felt they can come and disrespect us aand then we are going to foot their representation bill. I am of the opinion that a lot of these persons have access to funds, personal or family funds. But our Legal Aid Department, who got to be kidding me with this nonsense of paying everybody's legal costs, is happy to usurp that duty. Is it because the Members are not local and don't care about whether the BVI Treasury has money or not? I am so tired of this. Politicians wake up. We cannot continue to pay for Prosecution and Defence. We will go broke.
    • Black Serian (02/05/2012, 21:47) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      I Wonder... U a real a$$ before u commement u need read da virgin islands constitution it clearly states if u can't afford a lawyer one will be appointed to u on da government expense the BVI wants to be modernize but still it don't it's unfair to accuse to be unrepresented just because they don't the law no matter the charge any one got all rights to be represented on tax payers expense within any court of law magistrate high court appeal court civil court and even at privy so u all nd check before thinking none sense although some one is accuse there still got rights and under the LAW the have the rights to be represented in any court of law all now the legal aid board still violates ppl rights by not grant legal aid to magistrate matters when the constitution states any court so stop the system is still getting in on the accused and ain't paying for everything it should I think it's more than fair no one going before the high court civil court or appeal court should be unrepresented to be fair and find justice every one should be represented according to the virgin islands constitution order 2007 that's my 2 cents
  • Q-Tips (02/05/2012, 12:10) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    oh young men are leaving us they need help they need jobs they need jusus
  • lisa (02/05/2012, 18:01) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    both them boys getting fat seems like they like the lock up


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