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Russell made the call *LINK*

Judiciary: Martineau, not CJ, spoke to Justice Jones

Driselle Ramjohn, trinidadexpress.com
Monday, July 24th 2006

SENIOR Counsel Russell Martineau was one of two people who made telephone calls to High Court judge, Justice Judith Jones, from Chief Justice Satnarine Sharma's Maraval home on July 14 when police moved to execute a warrant for Sharma's arrest.

"All calls made to Madame Justice Jones from the Chief Justice's residence were made by Mr Russell Martineau, SC, one of the Chief Justice's attorneys and by the Registrar of the Supreme Court, Ms Evelyn Ann Petersen in that capacity," the Judiciary of Trinidad and Tobago said yesterday.

Officers went to Sharma's house at Fairways after a formal charge was laid and a warrant was issued for his arrest but the officers left the premises without him after learning another injunction preventing the police taking action had been granted by the judge.

"Police refused to accept the word of the Registrar to the effect that Madame Justice Jones' order had in fact been varied that afternoon," the Judiciary's Department of Court Administration said in a statement yesterday.

Therefore, Jones had to speak directly to the police, the Judiciary indicated, adding that this was done through a landline telephone at Sharma's home since cell phones were persistently failing.

The Judiciary also maintained that neither Sharma nor Justice of Appeal Stanley John attempted to influence Jones.

"At no time did the Honourable Chief Justice or the Honourable Justice Stanley John, Justice of Appeal, speak to Madame Justice Jones or in any way attempt to influence her," the statement said.

All telephone contact with Jones was for the purpose of clarifying what her orders were and this was necessary because the police "refused to accept the word of the Registrar", the Judiciary said as it denied allegations that Sharma made calls to Jones.

A newspaper report last week showed what were described as several telephone calls from Sharma's house to Jones on July 14.

Attorney General John Jeremie said he noted the report with "concern" and found it to be a most disturbing development relating to the rights of the citizen to equality of treatment before the law and the right to access of the court.

Martineau could not be immediately reached for comment yesterday.

However, in an Express article on Saturday, he said: "I'm scandalised by what is happening in this country. The releasing of people's cell phone bills and people's telephone records, making public the fact that conversations between lawyers and their clients are now being released and made public in the press, it is a complete scandal and sad state of affairs."

Martineau added that the people whose telephone numbers were published were now being harassed.

The Judiciary also maintained that Justice Stanley John did not call Jones.

Last week Police Commissioner Trevor Paul said that based on information he had, "at 6.52 p.m. a telephone call was made to the Judiciary".

"I can confirm at exactly that time, Justice Stanley John called ACP Clive Reyes to the telephone to take a call from Justice Judith Jones, who was already on the line."

Paul said Jones then directed Reyes not to proceed in arresting Sharma.

The lawsuit brought by Sharma challenging the decision to institute criminal proceedings against him came back up for hearing on Friday.

Justice Jones adjourned the matter to today when a trial date is expected to be fixed.

http://www.trinidadexpress.com/index.pl/article_news?id=160987095

Messages In This Thread

7 phone calls on warrant night *LINK*
Russell made the call *LINK*
Martineau, Petersen made calls *NM* *LINK*
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