Frederick case adjourned to April 2

The case in which opposition Senator Vynnette Frederick has been charged with making false declarations and swearing falsely has again been adjourned. This time to April 2, at 9:30 am.{{more}}

When the case was called at the Mesopotamia Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, United Kingdom based attorney Shiraz Aziz rose on behalf of Frederick’s lawyer Kay Bacchus-Browne, whom he said had written requesting an adjournment.

However, magistrate Ricky Burnette said he had not received any such letter.

Frederick, 36, was first slapped with three charges in September 2012. She was charged with, that on January 10, 2011, at Kingstown, she did make a false declaration before Ms Sonya Young, a magistrate, a person authorised to take a declaration upon a matter of public concern, under circumstances that the false declaration, if committed in a judicial proceeding, would amount to perjury. Frederick was also charged with making false declarations on June 16, 2011 and May 23, 2012 before Faye James.

Frederick was again arrested on three further charges on February 15, 2013. At that time, she was charged with swearing falsely before Sonya Young and Faye James, persons authorised to take the oath on the same dates as the first set of charges.

Aziz requested the adjournment so that Bacchus-Browne could be present to make certain submissions to the court. He said Bacchus-Browne was in the High Court appearing in a matter before Justice Thom.

He added that there may be issues raised in relation to finding a tribunal that does not know Frederick.

Magistrate at the Kingstown Magistrate’s Court, Rechanne Browne-Matthias, had earlier recused herself from the matter, citing familiarity.

The matter was then transferred to the Mesopotamia Court.

However, Burnette said that he is from the community of Mesopotamia and is the magistrate for the area.

“Familiarity does not impact this magistrate at all. It doesn’t,” Burnette said.

Appearing for the crown, Assistant Director of Public Prosecution, Colin John said the reasons given by the defense are generally accepted reasons for adjournment.

John made it clear that the prosecution is ready to proceed in the matter, but he would not voice an objection to the request for an adjournment.

A number of prominent members of the New Democratic Party (NDP) were also present at in court on Wednesday, including, representatives for Central Kingstown and West Kingstown, St Clair Leacock and Daniel Cummings, respectively.

Frederick’s father, veteran lawyer Bayliss Frederick was also present in court with his daughter.