Magistrate turns down request from lawyer to record court proceedings with mobile device

Chief Magistrate Rechanne Browne-Matthias on Monday refused a request by lawyer Grant Connell to be allowed to use his mobile device to record court proceedings, during a trial at the Serious Offences Court of two Lowmans residents, who are charged with illegal possession of a number of firearms and ammunition,

Connell asked the Chief Magistrate to “have a correct record” of what is said under cross-examination, since the court does not have a recording device.

He said that sometimes what the magistrate writes is not what is said and what is said is not recorded.

The outspoken lawyer has raised this issue on numerous occasions.

The Chief Magistrate confirmed that the court did have equipment; however, the court was experiencing technical difficulties that should soon be rectified.

Later on in the trial, situations arose where both Connell and the witness he was questioning had to refer to the magistrate’s notes.

Connell reiterated that the absence of recordings of the proceedings is detrimental to cases.(AS)