Shermie McNicolls: You did it!!
Shermie is in the news so much, I feel I know him as well as my best friend. Here is a man who is the 'pillar of integrity', seeking to uphold the reputation of the legal system by reporting that the Chief Justice tried to influence the trial (of a former Prime Minister) in which Shermie was the sitting magistrate.
Only one problem though. During the course of the trial, a witness (in the same trial) sold some land to the Shermie at a massive discount under the market value. Shermie then profited by several million dollars. When caught by the Chief Justice and questioned, Shermie then ran bleating to the Attorney General and 'took in front'; he complained that the CJ tried to influence the outcome of the trial. Needless to say, Shermie threw the book at the poor defendant, the former Prime Minister and then Opposition leader Basdeo Panday. A full two years in prison for failing to declare a bank account he had. Suffice to say, poor Panday was the only one charged, despite over 200 persons failing to declare their assets, including several prominent members of the ruling PNM.
Of course, the bleating took effect. No one bothered to follow up the money trail that Shermie laid down when he pocketed a nice little profit (he later claimed the land deal made him suspicious and sold the land back to the witness, at more than he paid so he pocketed some $1.3M, if memory serves me right). Nope, the AG along with the PM then went to prosecute the Chief Justice alone, and they are supported by the Judicial and Legal Services Commission the body responsible for all these 'intellectual morons'.
Only one problem though. During the course of the trial, a witness (in the same trial) sold some land to the Shermie at a massive discount under the market value. Shermie then profited by several million dollars. When caught by the Chief Justice and questioned, Shermie then ran bleating to the Attorney General and 'took in front'; he complained that the CJ tried to influence the outcome of the trial. Needless to say, Shermie threw the book at the poor defendant, the former Prime Minister and then Opposition leader Basdeo Panday. A full two years in prison for failing to declare a bank account he had. Suffice to say, poor Panday was the only one charged, despite over 200 persons failing to declare their assets, including several prominent members of the ruling PNM.
Of course, the bleating took effect. No one bothered to follow up the money trail that Shermie laid down when he pocketed a nice little profit (he later claimed the land deal made him suspicious and sold the land back to the witness, at more than he paid so he pocketed some $1.3M, if memory serves me right). Nope, the AG along with the PM then went to prosecute the Chief Justice alone, and they are supported by the Judicial and Legal Services Commission the body responsible for all these 'intellectual morons'.
Now the JLSC is clearly wrong in its actions. Even their own investigator says so. Also saying so is independent (but former chairman of the JLSC) Ken Lalla. And the present Chairman of the JLSC panel investigating Shermie is also of the opinion that Shermie should be disciplined, as does Martin Daly. So why then is Shermie still freely exploiting his position? And he is doing exactly that - the JLSC says he can't be disciplined because he is the sitting magistrate in the airport corruption case, and if he is now suspended the entire 5 years of that case will be lost.
What a load of crap!
In today's headline article in the Express Shermie admitted that he went to the AG "because of impropriety allegations levelled against him by Chief Justice Sharma on a land transaction." (Saying 'I told you so' gives me no pleasure, but I have maintained this view since the onset of this ridiculous situation). Shermie, caught with his hand in a cookie jar, is using every means to draw attention away from himself and prevent an independent investigation into his own corrupt actions.
None of his (Shermie's) arguments make sense. He says he cannot be a party to parallel proceedings against the CJ according to the Privy Council ruling yet at the time he made his decision there was no intention of an impeachment tribunal. Instead the only action - a criminal trial - collapsed because Shermie was afraid to be cross examined in open court. Subsequently though, the AG and PM initiated an impeachment procedure (to protect Shermie's arse no doubt) and suspended the CJ. (In fact, Pa-trick even went to court to prevent himself from being called to the witness stand to answer questions about why he chose to impeach the CJ).
This entire situation is so sickening, it is a pain to even think about it. But the longer, we the majority of the population, stay quiet, the more they get away with creating a dictatorship state. And then, we can only blame ourselves for silently accepting our fate.
None of his (Shermie's) arguments make sense. He says he cannot be a party to parallel proceedings against the CJ according to the Privy Council ruling yet at the time he made his decision there was no intention of an impeachment tribunal. Instead the only action - a criminal trial - collapsed because Shermie was afraid to be cross examined in open court. Subsequently though, the AG and PM initiated an impeachment procedure (to protect Shermie's arse no doubt) and suspended the CJ. (In fact, Pa-trick even went to court to prevent himself from being called to the witness stand to answer questions about why he chose to impeach the CJ).
"The Ventour findings on the question of McNicolls misconduct noted that: "It has not been disclosed what information the Chief Magistrate was privy to in order to make the determination that there were in existence parallel proceedings when he wrote to the DPP requesting that immediate steps be taken to stay the criminal proceedings against the Chief Justice. It is public knowledge that the Prime Minister's letter to the Chief Justice requesting a written response to the complaint was forwarded to the Chief Justice on February 21, 2007. When the Chief Magistrate wrote to the DPP on February 13, 2007, there was no parallel proceedings in existence."Now the actions of the AG is deemed questionable (and by extension those of the PM Pa-trick and present Acting AG Hamel-Smith).
The Chief Magistrate's explanation also spotlights the controversial role of Attorney General John Jeremie in Impeachment I and II of Chief Justice Sharma.As advisor to the PM (and government) the AG's role is larger than first glance reveals. How deep this conspiracy goes is any one's guess. I myself would not disbelieve the extent of the rot, if all is ever revealed. There is more to this situation than meets the eye.
According to the McNicolls explanation, the Attorney General played a central role in directing some of the events connected to his claims of interference against the Chief Justice. He revealed Jeremie's involvement in setting up a planned private meeting at his official Cabildo Chambers on the morning of February 23, 2007 between the Attorney General, the deputy DPP and himself.McNicolls said he was unable to keep the appointment and was later told by Jeremie that he had met with the deputy DPP and that "they had had a good meeting." The Attorney General also advised him "to give serious consideration to testifying" at the enquiry, he said.
For his part, Jeremie admitted to being "somewhat surprised" by Justice Ventour's request for a written statement about his role in the affair.
"It would do nothing for the confidence of the hypothetical observer to note that the Chief Magistrate sought the intervention of the Attorney General when he no longer wishes to testify and that the Attorney General thought it fit to intervene personally."What I find particularly sad is that of all the legally qualified persons in the country, none are standing up to this obvious nepotism and injustice. None except Anand Ramlogan. Legal 'expert' Dana Seetahal, so quickly consulted for her opinion on everything has yet to comment on this situation. Is she silent because she tacitly supports the persecutors (whom she obtains fat contracts from on a regular basis)?Justice Ivor Archie
(Court of Appeal judgement in Panday's trial)
This entire situation is so sickening, it is a pain to even think about it. But the longer, we the majority of the population, stay quiet, the more they get away with creating a dictatorship state. And then, we can only blame ourselves for silently accepting our fate.
