Media barred from Andre Penn’s case!
The order, which was served on all media houses via a government press release, prohibits 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.
What does this mean?
In camera is a legal term that means in private. The same meaning is sometimes expressed in some court jurisdictions equivalent to in chambers.
Generally, in camera describes court cases, parts of it, or process where the public and press are not allowed to observe the procedure or process. In camera is the opposite of trial in open court where all parties and witnesses testify in a public courtroom and attorneys publicly present their arguments.
Entire cases may be heard in camera when, for example, where matters of national security are involved. However, most local legal experts do not believe the case of The Queen vs Andre Penn raised to the level of national security.
Others have blasted the learned Judge’s decision as part of the recent pattern since the National Democratic Party (NDP) took office to restrict and censor the rights of the free press in a democratic society.
Both the Director of Public Prosecution Mr Wayne Rajbansie and Mr Andre Penn support the court order.
Background
Penn is accused of allegedly committing several sex related offences on a minor. His case has had several adjournments. Justice Albert Redhead, prior to the October assizes, had even told Penn that the court had been bending over backwards to accommodate him.
Justice Vicki Ann Ellis had opened the final High Court criminal assizes for the year 2013 on October 1 by letting Mr Penn know that there would be no adjournment when his matter comes up for trial on November 18, 2013.
Penn 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 had sternly said.
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41 Responses to “Media barred from Andre Penn’s case!”
Well Judge kind of modernize a little bit and set up a court press secretary to brief the public, If you don't like the press. Just don't try and keep the court in a bubble.
Mark 10, verse 25
"It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God".
Quoting the Bible for convenience does not impress anyone, except maybe yourself! The Bible is a complete journey and not a few steps to be extracted here and there!
observer,the judge seem to have animosity toward the media..................................................
If its the currency, I wonder if this would still go on of we change to E.C or another currency? Is it that we are given some special water to drink so we never support our nationals and if they are lucky to get any jobs we do our best to ensure they are removed? Maybe the water in the other countries need to be imported for us to drink so we gave some support to our nationals.
Little Virgin Islands supporting the world. I guess this is the secret of the place that is called nature's little secret.
The local woman at the recent Priison Officers job fair typified the local approach to work when she said " I want a government job, any government job" . This was no doubt followed by " because I born here" This also showed that BVI characteristic called entitlement.
Hearing this case in camera will prevent that other local past time from taking place, namely blogging incoherent, unintelligent, unreadable, text speak against everybody not from here, and then for completion, hating your fellow countrymen too.
Luckily I am here to work, and not to stay, and hope that one day you will find the answer to natures little secret.