Attorney for Veron Primus barred from court until he apologises

High Court Judge, Brian Cottle has made it clear that attorney, Michael Wyllie will not be allowed to appear before him in the High Court without an apology for conduct deemed to be in contempt of court.

Last Friday, December 16, during the sentencing of convicted murderer, Veron Primus for the November 2015 stabbing death of real estate agent, Sharlene Greaves, Justice Cottle said that Wyllie, who was Primus’ defense counsel had “displayed an attitude of gross disrespect for the court”.

Cottle recounted about Wyllie getting up from the bar table and walking out of the courtroom “without a word of explanation”.

He said this was done during the testimony of a witness and was followed by another incident where the court was adjourned and was to resume at 1:30 p.m but Wyllie never reappeared or explained his absence.

Justice Cottle described Wyllie’s behaviour as “far below the standard expected from an officer of the court” and that he demonstrated “blatant contempt”.

The High Court judge said he opted to ignore some of Wyllie’s antics because it would have derailed the trial and deprived Primus of legal representation.

“But the trial is now ended. Until counsel purges his contempt with an appropriate apology in open court, I will not permit him to appear before this court in any other matter,” Justice Cottle made clear.

But Wyllie did not go out without some parting words, as he declared that he would appeal some aspects of the case and was sure the Court of Appeal would agree with him.

Wyllie described Justice Cottle as “unfair” and “biased against the accused”.

But, the usually restrained Cottle eyed the defence attorney and informed him “Mr. Wyllie, you are in contempt, and you are on very thin ice. I suggest that you say nothing else at this stage for your sake.”

In an attempt to ease the tension, attorney Grant Connel, swiftly went to speak to Wyllie as to subdue him.

Speaking to SEARCHLIGHT afterwards Connel said he realized that he was not wearing the appropriate robe but he couldn’t see his senior “going down that road” and not remind him of where he was.

Primus who had already been given a 34 year sentence, of which he had already spent more than four years on remand, looked on opened eyed during the interchange.
After Wyllie finally took his seat Cottle calmly announced that he would rise.

The sitting was adjourned and Wyllie was escorted by officers from the courtroom.

Wyllie later told members of the media that he would not apologise, and lamented that he had made apologises before, and had even sent persons previously to inform the court of his absence.

The defense counsel insisted that his absence previously was due to a back ailment, for which he had sought medical care in Canada.

He was seen throughout the trial writhing apparently in pain and getting up periodically as though to stretch his back.

He explained that an old injury had begun to flare up as he had been sitting too long in the courtroom.

Wyllie had another matter listed for last Friday, but the judge refused to hear him.

Meanwhile, Assistant Director of Public Prosecution ( DDP), Karim Nelson who, along with Crown counsel Kaylia Toney, appeared for the Crown in the Veron Primus matter, told SEARCHLIGHT that he agreed with the judge’s decision.

“I wouldn’t say anything, the judge has said it all, and I am in agreement with him. That is the extent of which I would say. I’m in agreement with the judge in relation to his conclusion about Mr. Wyllie’s behaviour.”

Nelson said the judge has set out the conditions under which Wyille can appear before him and if he doesn’t apologise then Wyllie would lose his right of audience to do that before the judge.

The Assistant DPP said as for Wyllie’s clients their cases can be transferred to another attorney.