Mr. Eugene Hamilton – PAM Leader
Basseterre, St. Kitts – Nevis
People’s Action Movement
November 17, 2009
This morning my High Court action against Denzil Douglas and Cedric Liburd for slandering me came up for trial before Resident High Court Judge Mr. Justice Francis Belle.
For reasons which are not important, my case which was to start at 9 a.m was called up at approximately 9:30. However, up to the time the court called up my case against Prime Minister Dr. Denzil Douglas and Minister Cedric Liburd neither one of these two Defendants could be seen anywhere near the precincts of the Court.
I am being represented by Barristers-at Law Terence Byron and Vincent Byron. Dr. Denzil Douglas and Cedric Liburd are being represented by Barristers-at Law Sylvester Anthony, Patricia Dublin Lewis and Miselle O’Brien Norton.
I noted that my Counsel in announcing his appearance before the Court expressly stated that I was present. I also noted that none of the Counsels for Denzil Douglas and Cedric Liburd neither stated that their clients were not present nor told the court what had happened to them. I was left to wonder whether Counsel for Denzil Douglas and Cedric Liburd knew where Denzil Douglas and Cedric Liburd were. Or if Denzil Douglas and Cedric Liburd were going to show up in Court to defend my action against them for slandering me.
Sometime during the course of the morning, I looked back and realized that Cedric Liburd had eventually come. But up to midday when Justice Belle adjourned the proceedings I did not see Denzil Douglas at all. And no explanation was tendered by any of his Counsel for his absence. Up to now, I do not know if Denzil Douglas was not feeling well this morning or if after all of the mouth Denzil Douglas had when he used the words that I have taken him to Court for he now realizes the trouble he is in.
I already knew before this morning that Denzil Douglas and Cedric Liburd had both failed to file any witness statements to state the reason for their use of the words I have taken them to Court for.
As a result of their failure to file witness statements both Denzil Douglas and Cedric Liburd were not going to be able to give any evidence at the trial. Furthermore, after using the words I have taken them to court for, both Denzil Douglas and Cedric Liburd filed a Defense saying that they do not admit that they used those words. Notwithstanding the fact that the words were used at a public meeting of the Labour party.
I already knew that Denzil Douglas and Cedric Liburd had filed applications only yesterday to the Court asking the Court to put off the case and this morning proceedings were taken up with strenuous efforts by Counsel for Denzil Douglas and Cedric Liburd to get the case put off.
At 12 O’clock when the Judge adjourned to consider his decision, Denzil Douglas had not yet arrive in Court.