DPP loses appeal case against former senator

Former opposition New Democratic Party (NDP) Senator Vynette Frederick says that she is pleased that the Eastern Caribbean Court of Appeal has upheld a decision made by Magistrate Rickie Burnett in July 2013, in relation to six charges that were brought against her.

On Wednesday in Kingstown, Chief Justice of the Eastern Caribbean Court of Appeal Janice Pereira rejected Director of Public Prosecutions {{more}}(DPP) Collin Williams’ call to have Magistrate Burnette’s decision to dismiss six charges brought against Frederick overturned.

“I am pleased with the outcome and I understood what the Chief Justice Janice Pereira was saying”, said Frederick on Thursday.

Frederick still faces nine charges, which were brought against her in July 2013, hours after she was discharged in relation to the six similar criminal charges at the Kingstown Magistrate’s Court.

The first six of the nine charges which were thrown out by Magistrate Burnette, were brought under Section 96 of the Criminal Code, Chapter 171 of the Revised Edition of the Laws of SVG 2009, and are similar to the six she faced previously, except that they include particulars.

The charges are that she made a false declaration and swore falsely to a private criminal complaint on January 10, 2011, on May 23, 2012 and on June 16, 2011, under circumstances that the false declaration, if committed in a judicial proceeding would have amounted to perjury.

The three additional charges are that on January 10, 2011, May 23, 2012 and on June 16, 2011, at Kingstown and within the first magisterial district, with intent to mislead the court, Frederick fabricated evidence.

The charges all have to do with comments she alleged that Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves made on August 29, 2010 at Park Hill.

The last three charges were brought under section 101(a) of the Criminal Code, Chapter 171 of the laws of SVG 2009.

Frederick added on Thursday, “my lawyers are in control and I look forward to when those matters (other nine) come up so we can approach the court again. I believe in the rule of law and in the system so let the system do its work. I am an officer of the court and I understand what is taking place so let justice be done and be seen to be done”.

The nine charges were adjourned to a date to be fixed by the court/sine die.