New Magistrate upbraids his former colleagues

Magistrate and former police officer, John Ballah, has made it clear that when it comes to delivering justice, he will not be taking the side of police officers after shedding light on a recent case in which the police infringed the law.

When accused, Jackeem Wilson, of Union Island appeared at the Kingstown Magistrate’s Court on January 12, on a charge for wounding, the magistrate expressed his dissatisfaction when he was made aware that the police failed to obey the required protocols.

The defendant was charged, but the documents of medical proof of injuries sustained by the victim were not shown to Wilson as required before he was taken to court to answer the charge.

Wilson’s charge is that on June 26, at Ashton Union Island, he unlawfully and maliciously wounded Dayshaun Joseph who is also a resident of Union Island. A plea of not guilty was entered on his behalf after Wilson explained to the court that he had acted in self defense.

The accused was not represented by a legal counsel at his arraignment. One other person has been charged in connection with the same incident.

The displeased magistrate told the officers, “… persons have a constitutional right to know what they are being charged with and when you are charging for certain offences, you must serve them with certain documents and every police officer must do this.”

Ballah added that police officers are trained and even if some of them are not, they are working with persons who are trained.

He said he has had experience as a police officer and because he served for over 20 years, there are persons who think that he may take the side of police officers when carrying out his duties. However, the magistrate made it abundantly clear “that is not going to happen”, as he told the police, “you all know what you are supposed to do.”

He said that he will not allow the people of St Vincent and the Grenadines not to have justice because police officers decide to disobey what the law requires.

Prosecutor, Corporal Shamrock Pierre, did not object to Wilson’s bail but asked for certain conditions to be attached, including the surrender of travel documents as the police had issued a wanted bulletin for the accused.

The magistrate granted bail in the sum of $2000 with one surety. Wilson is to report to the Union Island Police Station every Monday and Friday between 6:00 a.m – 6:00 p.m.

He is also ordered to surrender all travel documents, and stop notices were ordered placed at all ports of entry and exit.

The matter is adjourned and transferred to the Union Island Magistrates Court for hearing on August 14.