No blogs for ongoing matters in High Court – Justice Ellis
In a surprise move today, October 14, 2013 High Court Judge Vicki Ann Ellis ordered media houses to desist from accepting blogs/comments on articles about ongoing trials in the High Court of the Virgin Islands. Photo: VINO/File
The directive by Justice Ellis was given in open court prior to the resumption of the trial of Rodney Simmonds Jr and Yan Edwards who are accused of allegedly conspiring to murder Melbourne Francis on March 13, 2011. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – In a surprise move today, October 14, 2013 High Court Judge Vicki Ann Ellis ordered media houses to desist from accepting blogs/comments on articles about ongoing trials in the High Court of the Virgin Islands.
According to Ellis, blogs/comments can be accepted only after a verdict has been handed down.
This directive was made in court prior to the resumption of the trial of Rodney Simmonds Jr and Yan Edwards who are accused of allegedly conspiring to murder Melbourne Francis on March 13, 2011.
Justice Ellis also said it is the responsibility of the prosecutors to ensure all reporters are guided accordingly.
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29 Responses to “No blogs for ongoing matters in High Court – Justice Ellis”
Dictator
Fundamental Rights and Freedoms of the Individual-Chapter 2 and Protection of Freedom of Expression is a fundamental Right of an individual in the BVI:
Section 23 of The V.I Constitution Order,2007 declares, In subsection (1)
"No person shall be hindered in the the enjoyment of his or her freedom of expression"
Subsection (2) "A person's freedom of of expression includes freedom to hold opinions without interference,freedom to receive information and ideas without interference,freedom to disseminate information and ideas without interference(whether to the public generally or to any person or class of person) and freedom from interference with his or her correspondence or other means of communication".
Whenever there is a Trial of a criminal case at the High Court of Justice,the Judge would remind the Jurors that their concerns are about the evidence heard and seen in court and not about what they the saw and heard in the media.
Her Majesty the Queen[In Council, on 13th June 2007 at Buckingham Palace UK] bestowed upon Her citizens and residents,in Her Majesty's Free and Democratic Territory of Her Majesty's BVI,through the power of the V.I Constitution and Her Majesty,declared that persons are free to express themselves in the media on any social matter, and in the process obviously,persons are expected to respect the privacy of others and to respect the rule of law on slander,Libel and defamation of character etc..
I read the news of no blogs on an on-going case as instructed by the learned Judge.I respect your authoritative-madam Judge,but do you have such jurisdiction inder BVI law?Do you?Show me the law;I want to read it for myself!
Where is it written in the BVI laws of
(1) Contempt of court Act,Chapter 14 laws of the BVI
(2) Magistrate Code of Procedure Act,Chapter 44 laws of the BVI
(3) Criminal Procedure Act,Chapter 18 laws of the BVI-
That blogging about a "PUBLIC CASE" in which the public has an interest,is a criminal offence and contempt of court in the BVI?
Madam Judge, BVI people are very peaceful,law-abiding and loving,and Her Majesty-The Queen declared that we have freedom of speech to blog!
This media house VINO,is very responsible and all the High Court Cases are Public Cases,and the Jurors are not "SEQUESTERED" so therefore,Her Majesty's citizens and residents of Her BVI have a right to blog on any public court-case,because,it is not an offence in the BVI to blog on an on-going Public Court-Case:
It appears to me that we longer need parliament to make laws in the BVI;because everyone in authority today,makes their own laws to control Her Majesty's Citizens and residents!
Look at what they did to Mr.Alred Frett the other day:
Where he did not commit a criminal offence when VINO published an article on his behalf:
He was not charged with a criminal offence:
He was not tried in a criminal court,for a criminal offence:
He was not convicted after a trial for a criminal offence:
But it was reported in the media,that "Mr.Frett was in hot water".
Absolute unjustified-none-sense!
Now they come back with a no-law-authority policy["No Bloggs"] Vino,allow me to blog,lawfully.
E...s should be banned