The National Newspaper of St. Vincent and the Grenadines
FRIDAY,
JANUARY 17, 2014
VOLUME 108, No.03
www.thevincentian.com
EC$1.50
of the urt room n Supreme o c e th heard in stern Caribbea dit: VINO) eal was The app Appeal of the Ea , BVI (Photo cre Court of in Street, Tortola a Court, M
(L-R): Carlos Sutherland, Gareth McDowall, and Dexter Chance were expected to return to SVG, as free men, during this week.
Stories by HAYDN HUGGINS AT PRESS TIME WEDNESDAY, three Vincentians, who were
extradited to Tortola about three years ago to answer drug related charges, were en route to their homeland after being freed by the
Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court during a sitting in the British Virgin Islands. Continued on Page 3.
Right: Kay Bacchus-Browne, one of the local attorneys for the men, indicated that they are considering suing the Tortolan government.
“Get the files ready,” prosecutor warns WHILE SENIOR PROSECUTOR Adolphus Delpleche assesses 2013 as a relatively successful year for prosecutions at the Serious Offences Court, he is concerned that there were some files not ready by investigators for prosecution within reasonable time. He warned that he would have to take the necessary action if investigators continue in this regard. Senior Prosecutor Adolphus Delpleche Delpleche, who heads is not satisfied that there is expediency the summary in the submission of investigation Prosecutions Division in reports to the prosecution. the office of the Director
of Public Prosecutions, was speaking to THE VINCENTIAN on Tuesday. “I believe in swift justice. I understand that we are not in an ideal world where things are always the way it should be. However, I am still urging investigators to make the extra effort for 2014 and beyond, to get the files ready for prosecution after making an arrest,” Delpleche said. The Senior Prosecutor is aware that there are some investigators who are making an effort in getting their files ready, but “there are far too many who could improve in this regard.” Delpleche recalled former High Court Judge Satrohan Singh saying during a court hearing, ‘The police is the first cog in the wheel of justice,
and once that wheel starts turning, it should not be stopped or stalled inordinately, it should turn smoothly’.” Delpleche declared, “I would love to adopt that principle, and I advise investigators to do likewise.” The former police officer would also like to see some improvement in the preparation and presentation of evidence. He admits there are some policemen who are very good at this, but recommended training for those who are lagging in preparing and presenting evidence, as well as other aspects of policing. “I know we have qualified, capable and competent people here to do the training; it is only to have it implemented,” the prosecutor opined.