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Justice Holder demands “genuine and meaningful apology” in open court from Attorney General for “insulting and disrespectful” behaviour

 

Letter from Justice Franklin Holder to the Acting Chancellor of the Judiciary, Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards.
The Honourable Chancellor (ag.)
Madam Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards, CCH.
The High Court of the Supreme Court,
Georgetown.
Dear Madam Chancellor,
RE: REPORT ON CONTEMPTUOUS BEHAVIOUR OF MR BASIL WILLIAMS SC.

I would like to report an incident which occurred on the 23rd day of March, 2017, in the matter of the Application by Carvil Duncan, during the cross-examination of a witness by Mr Basil Williams, SC.
The Attorneys-at-Law in court at the time, including Mr Williams, were Ms Sam and Ms Stuart who were with him, and Mr Nandlall and Mr Jaigobin who appeared for the applicant.

During the cross-examination of the witness, Mr Williams had asked a question, the answer to which I initially recorded as “yes”. However, because of what the witness said immediately after and Mr Williams’ desire to cross-examine her on a document which she had prepared and for which he was making application to have admitted into evidence, I crossed out the answer “yes”.
Further into his cross-examination Mr Williams made certain statements which suggested that it was his belief, that the witness had said “yes”, and that this was the record of the Court. On recognising Mr Williams’ misconception of this part of the evidence, I then read aloud the record of the court in this regard. I further offered that he may ask the witness the question again if he so desired, since the record showed that there was no answer to the question. Mr Williams did not do so.
However, he proceeded to ask other questions of the witness, the answer to one of which, the witness said “no”. Upon the witness saying this, Mr. Williams, in a rather loud and bellicose tone said that I, the judge, must record “no” (in my Minute Book). I then said to him that a record is being made that the witness did say “no”. Apparently, not being satisfied with my assurance, Mr Williams followed up with words to the effect, that previously the witness had said yes and the court chose not to make a record of this. I then told Mr Williams that I took umbrage to his tone and what he was insinuating, which was in effect, that the Court was being selective in recording the evidence.

Mr Williams, in a truculent manner, while standing in the well of the court, responded by saying that the last person who told him what he should not say, was a Magistrate and he is now dead. He further said that “all morning Mr Nandlall disrespecting you, and you have not done anything about it.” This was, however, not a true statement of what had occurred. This was followed by a most egregious statement by Mr Williams, that “I could say what I want to say and when I want to say it, I have always been like that.”
Immediately after hearing these words, I rose from the Bench and went into my Chambers. I did not adjourn the matter, nor did I give any instructions to the parties.
I recognise Mr Williams’ behaviour as I have related to be insulting, disrespectful, and calculated to scandalise and lower the authority of the Court in the face of the Court.
Mr Williams’ behaviour was highly contemptuous and deserving of him being cited for contempt in the face of the Court. Instead of doing so at that moment, I chose to leave the Bench.
However, it does not mean that Mr Williams’ behaviour should go unattended. He is not only a Senior Counsel, he is also the Attorney General and leader of the Bar. His behaviour begs the question, whether he is respectful and aware of the functions and duties that attend these offices.
I am not prepared to sit to hear Mr Williams as an Attorney-at-Law in any matter whatsoever, unless he makes a genuine and meaningful apology to my satisfaction, in open Court, both to me and to the Members of the Bar, since they too were scandalized by his despicable conduct.

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It makes interesting reading. Now, we can see the spin from the Chronicle. I find interesting the statement that Williams said that the last person, a magistrate, who told him what he should not say was dead.

My view is that if the judge did not think that that statement was relevant and serious, he would  not have mentioned it in the letter. 

Z

Now that I heard from the Judge I agree the AG not only has to apologize he should be asked to explain what was meant about the judge he spoke of and how did he die after telling him (Basil Williams) off, this reeks of bullyism.

Granger should step in and demand Basil's resignation...that is the change the people voted for.

cain
Last edited by cain
Zed posted:

It makes interesting reading. Now, we can see the spin from the Chronicle. I find interesting the statement that Williams said that the last person, a magistrate, who told him what he should not say was dead.

My view is that if the judge did not think that that statement was relevant and serious, he would  not have mentioned it in the letter. 

Zed, as you should know, bullying is the way things work in Guyana.  This is really disgraceful behavior from an AG but nothing is going to happen to him.

FM

Paging Django Bhai for his comments now that we have heard from the judge himself.

Anil should now sue Williams for lying. Granger should now demand his immediate resignation.

FM
Last edited by Former Member

I wonder why Judge Holder went on and on as to what transpired in the courtroom and not make a case out of the remark in question? Is it because the way in which it was said could mean something totally different to how some understand it to be. If any of us were in the Judge's position and found what was said as a threat I am sure we would have said so..not skirt the issue giving paragraphs of all that went on in the courtroom. It seems the Judge was more infuriated at the way and tone of how Williams spoke to him.

 

cain

Maybe it is a matter of perception and the judge did not perceive it as a threat but Nandlall did. Nandlall sure did make political points on it though and has backed Williams in a corner by making the issue public. We will see the outcome at it unfolds.

when I saw the Williams interview, I felt that he was not telling the whole truth.

i have had a run-in with Williams and he tends to say things that sound threatening. He told people at that time "this old man is not scared of me!" Seems innocuous in print but the context and tone said it.

Z

HAHAHAHA  To the FILTH HEADS, Al YUh not only STUPID, NAIVE and plain DUMB, Al yuh need help bad. HAHAHA  Waring: do not go back and read Al Yuh Post, I do not want to hear of suicides. Well, being shameless, I should not be concerned about Al Yuh.

Nehru

Someone suggest there should be an explanation??/

Mr Williams, in a truculent manner, while standing in the well of the court, responded by saying that the last person who told him what he should not say, was a Magistrate and he is now dead.

 

Is there anyone else who cant comprehend the above???

Nehru

To think that someone in as high an office as the Attorney General threatened one's life would be serious enough that a judge would be reluctant to state it rather than wait to see how the narrative develops. We see the same with our congressional leaders who are guarded with their words rather than come out plainly and say that Trump is a stinking liard.

FM
Nehru posted:

Someone suggest there should be an explanation??/

Mr Williams, in a truculent manner, while standing in the well of the court, responded by saying that the last person who told him what he should not say, was a Magistrate and he is now dead.

 

Is there anyone else who cant comprehend the above???

Yes, there is someone. Django Bhai.

FM

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