Lawyer expresses dissatisfaction with judgement of magistrate

Less than one week after Ari Shaw and three other young men were found guilty of fighting in a public place on J’Ouvert morning, attorney Grant Connell has expressed his dissatisfaction with the outcome of the case.{{more}}

Connell, who represented Shaw in the matter, told SEARCHLIGHT that the decision made by magistrate Bertie Pompey last Thursday was unexpected.

“It’s not exactly what we were expecting,” he said.

“The evidence was clear. The prosecution had three different versions and the defence gave evidence which actually was one of the versions which the prosecution gave.”

He added that sometimes magistrates don’t always make the right decision.

“He was not involved in the fight, but magistrates make decisions… they are not always correct. The court may find you guilty, but that doesn’t mean you did it,” said Connell.

The lawyer also said that the option of appealing the decision would be explored.

“We would look at this and decide if the matter will be appealed.”

Shaw was also charged with assaulting corporal Wendell Corridon on July 4. He pleaded not guilty and the matter was adjourned to September 30, 2016.

Connell made mention of a video which went viral, of Corridon restraining Shaw by his dreadlocks while he was being escorted to the Central Police Station on the day the assault allegedly took place.

He also disclosed that he wrote a letter to the Commissioner of Police concerning the issue.

“The manner in which Mr Shaw was treated is totally unacceptable. I wrote a letter to the Commissioner of Police and I trust he would address it,” he said.

“The police have to understand that respect is a two-way street. You respect the civilian, the civilian respects you. You don’t demand respect, you command respect,” he added.

According to Connell, the relationship between the police and the society was broken down and he highlighted the importance of fixing the relationship.

“The relationship between the police and the society has broken down tremendously and we have to start to rekindle and fix that. If we don’t do that and the police continue the way they are going, they can awake a sleeping lion and you really don’t want to do that.”(CA)