By LAMECH JOHNSON
Tribune Staff Reporter
ljohnson@tribunemedia.net
IT may be too soon to expect a decision on a report filed by police into the probe of MICAL MP V Alfred Gray’s alleged judicial interference in a criminal matter, his lawyer said yesterday.
Wayne Munroe, QC, did not express concern by the increasing time lapse between Police Commissioner Ellison Greenslade’s confirmation of the report being passed on to the Office of the Attorney General two weeks ago and the fact that a decision had yet to be made on the report by the country’s head prosecutor.
“I know the report was issued to the Attorney General’s Office two weeks ago from the investigation that the police did,” he told The Tribune.
“I don’t know what the report contains or what all will be considered,” he added, further disclosing that he had “provided the police with phone records from my client.”
“I don’t know if that will be compared with other phone records they might have obtained but I can say that this isn’t a he say, she say case.”
Mr Munroe said it may be too soon to expect a decision on report, and while he would not speculate on the outcome, he added: “It could be very well that nothing is done.”
In March, the opposition Free National Movement alleged that Mr Gray used his position to have a man in his constituency freed, following conviction and sentencing. It is claimed that Mr Gray contacted Mayaguana island Administrator Zephaniah Newbold, the sentencing magistrate, to offer “legal advice” in a case involving a teen convicted on that island.
Although Mr Gray has confirmed that he did contact the island administrator, he has strongly denied that he in any way attempted to sway the course of justice.
The teen was released shortly after their conversation.
Mr Gray has said he only advised the administrator that he had the option of granting bail, since an appeal had been filed. However, according to media reports Mr Newbold has said he released the convicted youth, 19-year-old Jaquan Charlton, outright “after an order came forth”.
According to a letter Mr Newbold sent to Chief Magistrate Joyann Ferguson-Pratt, he alleged that after sentencing Jaquan Charlton to three months imprisonment for assaulting a police officer and resisting arrest, he received a call from an “angry” Mr Gray, ordering him to immediately release the 19-year-old.
Mr Newbold also wrote that after this, he asked for Mr Charlton to be brought back into his court and he ordered his release, “while acting through fear and trepidation.”
According to phone records seen by The Tribune, calls from Mr Gray to Mr Newbold took place for about three minutes with a one-minute gap between the first and second call. The first call was one minute long and the second call was two minutes.
In his affidavit on the matter, Mr Gray alleges that given this chronology of events, it would not have been possible for the administrator to speak to a prosecutor who then spoke to both a superior and the chief magistrate before speaking again to the administrator.
“I totally deny the administrator’s report wherein he indicated that I ordered the man to be released,” Mr Gray’s affidavit said.
Police interviewed Mr Gray on the matter on April 10, according to his lawyer Mr Munroe.
Mr Gray, who has been relieved of his local government portfolio pending the outcome of the investigation, has said he will be vindicated at the end of the day.
He is still the minister of agriculture and marine resources.
Comments
ThisIsOurs 9 years, 6 months ago
"It could very well be that nothing is done". Foolishness
Tommy77 9 years, 6 months ago
indeed
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DillyTree 9 years, 6 months ago
There's a surprise! A delay? Can this really be true?
What would surprise me is if the report finds that V. Alfred Gray did indeed interfere with the administrator and recommends he be fired and charged in the matter.
What would be no surprise is to hear nothing. Nothing at all. More under the rug sweeping, as is customary with this bunch. They take us for fools with the attention span of goldfish. 2017 can't come fast enough!
John 9 years, 6 months ago
The PLP is starting to win its popularity back with the grassroots. It has successfully stage the two biggest international events to be held in the Bahamas. Even though carnival is set to be rained out BEC may be a cash cow (like BTC) in a few years. Even though the licensing and regularising of web shops was not the popular thing to do at the time, economically it will be proven that it was the right thing to do. Time heals wounds and so far both opposition parties are failing to demonstrate they can become a viable alternative government. They seem to spend too much time throwing stones at the PLP. If the PLP manages to get murder and crime down and a delayed opening of Bah Mar delivers expected jobs and kick starts (no not jump. Just s kick). 2017 is gonna be a difficult year to unseat this government, scandals and all.
christee 9 years, 6 months ago
Why does it have to take so long to make a decision in this case? Another stalling tactic while they figure out how to let Gray off. This is truly a mafia government.
licks2 9 years, 6 months ago
This government seem broken to its core. . .IF THE FNM IS NOT READY. . .THEN YALL GET READY FOR A DNA GOVERNMENT. . .BUT THE PLP WILL GO DOWN IN FLAMES. . . THEY ARE ONE PITYFUL BUNCH!!!!
John 9 years, 6 months ago
Governments around the world are under siege. Seems we built societies that we could not maintain. Immorality and materialism were the order of the day. Then when the bottom fell out of the economy, we were like the naked emperor, exposed to the world for what we are really worth. But a change is coming.
John 9 years, 6 months ago
FNM and DNA. Must tell the electorate and the Bahamian that they will have no corruption in their government, that they will get the economy moving, that they will fix crime, say what their policy will be on NHI and immigration and public disclosure. How they will address the national debt. Will there be additional increases in taxes, or reductions.
duppyVAT 9 years, 6 months ago
I predict that all of these issues that will be overseen by the NolleAG .................. the files will go missing before the next election ............. RUBIS spill. BAMSI fire, BTC 2%, BEC&PowerSecure, RenewBahamas & LOI, UR2.0 missing millions, and VAG investigation ...... etc.
This PLP Cabinet is just corrupt and wicked
EasternGate 9 years, 6 months ago
Unadulterated evil. PLP Government
Honestman 9 years, 6 months ago
With the level of dishonesty ingrained in the psyche of our political leadership and the tribal mindset of the people, there is no hope for The Bahamas. Sorry to be so pessimistic.
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