The Tribune

By LAMECH JOHNSON

Tribune Staff Reporter

ljohnson@tribunemedia.net

THE start of the trial of a lawyer accused of defaming two of the most senior ranked officers of the Royal Bahamas Police Force was delayed yesterday due to apparent confusion concerning whether the Office of the Attorney General has carriage of the matter.

Maria Daxon, a former police constable and vocal defender for the rights of police officers, appeared before Magistrate Andrew Forbes for the expected start of her summary trial concerning two counts of intentional libel concerning alleged statements written about Commissioner of Police Ellison Greenslade and Assistant Commissioner of Police Leon Bethell.

It is alleged that she, between August 26 and August 30, wrote defamatory statements about Commissioner Greenslade and ACP Bethell, which were likely “to injure and expose” the officers to “general hatred, contempt or ridicule.

In her initial arraignment in September, Daxon elected to have the matter heard in Magistrate’s Court and pleaded not guilty to the allegations.

She was initially denied bail but a day later her lawyers, Glendon Rolle and Wilver Deleveaux, successfully applied for bail in the Supreme Court.

When the matter was called yesterday, no representatives from the Office of the Attorney General were present.

Police prosecutor Ercell Dorsett said he understood that the file was in the possession of the Crown as he only had the docket concerning the charges. The police prosecutor said he understood that to mean that they would prosecute the matter.

However, Magistrate Forbes said he had no instructions or understanding of the same given that the accused had elected summary trial.

An adjournment was proposed for March 14, 2017.

Mr Deleveaux, held brief for lead lawyer Fred Smith, QC, said he would have to confirm with Mr Smith if that was a convenient date for trial.