Former Attorney-General dies suddenly

A former attorney-general under the New Democratic Party (NDP) administration died suddenly on Monday.

Carl Joseph, 68, died at his home at Gomea from causes that are yet unknown. A family member told SEARCHLIGHT that an autopsy will be performed to determine the cause of death, but it is suspected that he may have suffered a heart attack.{{more}}

Joseph, a lawyer for over three decades, was appointed attorney-general on two different occasions by former prime minister Sir James Mitchell. Joseph’s first stint came in 1986, when he took over from Emery Robertson. That stint ended when he resigned to take up duties with a regional organization.

He returned to the office of attorney-general in 1996, after two predecessors – Parnel Campbell and Carlyle Dougan — resigned in quick succession. Campbell resigned in October 1995, after eight years in the post and Dougan quit in August 1996, after almost one year.

Joseph threw his hat into the political ring in 1998, when he resigned as attorney-general to contest the West St George seat for the NDP. He lost to the Unity Labour Party (ULP)’s Michael Browne, but was appointed one of four government senators, and entrusted with the Ministry of Justice portfolio, in addition to the post of attorney-general.

His appointment as AG in addition to his ministerial appointment was met then with protest from the Opposition, who declared the move to be unconstitutional.

Joseph returned to his private law practice after the NDP lost office in 2001.

Funeral arrangements have not yet been announced.