Mark H. Vanterpool begs Court for more time
On Saturday, April 13, 2019, Justice Ann Marie-Smith rejected Mr Vanterpool's application seeking leave for a Judicial Review over House of Assembly (HOA) Speaker Honourable Julian Willock’s refusal to swear him in as Fourth District representative in the HoA.
Having lost his case in the High Court against Hon Willock, Mr Vanterpool is expected to be made to pay the legal expenses incurred by Hon Willock.
Need more time
The matter of legal fees was to be heard by Honourable Madam Justice Ann-Marie Smith on April 18, 2019; however, Mr. Vanterpool’s lawyer, Mr Patrick D. Thompson related to the court that his client’s Lead Counsel Mr Edward H. Fitzgerald QC was out of the Territory and it would put his team in an unfair position.
Mr Thompson begged that the hearing be postponed until the Court delivered its final decision and by that time Mr Fitzgerald QC would return to the Territory.
Mr Willock’s lawyer Mr Valston M. Graham, on the other hand, noted that his lead counsel Mr Anand Ramlogan SC was also out of the Territory but he was ready to move ahead with the issue of costs.
Mr Graham argued that Mr Vanterpool’s application for Judicial Review was already rejected and local counsel should be able to address the court on the matter of legal fees.
Request granted
Justice Smith noted that even though she had previously announced she would deliver final judgment as to whether she deemed Mr Vanterpool's letter of resignation invalid. On April 18 or 23, 2019 she needed more time to do so and as such had no issues with granting the request of Mr Vanterpool.
She indicated she would give the parties 2- 3 days notice in advance of the Court’s readiness for her final judgment and the hearing for the legal costs.
The saga
Mr Vanterpool was elected to represent the Fourth District in the General Elections on February 25, 2019 but resigned days after. His resignation was accepted by Speaker of the House Honourable Julian Willock after it was forwarded to him by the HOA Clerk.
However, Mr Vanterpool, suddenly had a change of heart and indicated his interest to be sworn in to the HOA.
After Hon Willock refused to have him sworn in Mr Vanterpool moved to the courts seeking leave for a Judicial Review, after also filing for an Injunction, which he lost on April 2, 2019.
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13 Responses to “Mark H. Vanterpool begs Court for more time”
The jury is out and it seems as though the outcome of the case will justify the Hon Speakers action for not swearing in the Hon. Vanterpool. Well it is just a matter of time. It is time for all in the territory to move on and the business of government will progress. The lesson was a reflection on the Attorney General's performance. No one should rejoice over the fiasco. The people of the Virgin Islands were given a good lesson on democracy an how it works.