Hector “Spaggs” John said the government cannot muzzle him or keep him from speaking freely after he was released on a $10,000 bail at the weekend. The UWP stalwart and MP for the Salisbury constituency was arrested on Friday and arraigned on court on Saturday on an incitement charge against the Skerrit administration.
“Roosevelt Skerrit, this is my last time I am coming on the platform asking you to tell us about the money…you will be hearing about Hector John,” he was quoted as saying at a public rally in Roseau. “You will not be seeing me; I will not be speaking anymore. I am going to tell you something before I leave, don’t think that you will call the elections without electoral reform. You will have civil unrest on your hands. Good night and God bless.”
At his arraignment, lead defense lawyer Gildon Richards, argued that the phrase “civil unrest” on which the charge against John was hinged, was vague and ambiguous and cannot be sufficiently interpreted to constitute incitement to crime. He added it will amoung to “grave injustice” if the case is tried before a jury which is not supportive of John’s UWP party.
“The charge is exceptionally vague and defective and ought not to be put to the defendant in this form purporting to be an offense in law,” Richards argued.
The defense team argued that John must not be tried on that charge because it holds no water. Furthermore, as a current member of parliament in session, the MP has the right to bring the attention of the government and the general public to the “dire need for propriety in the electoral process” as the general election draws nearer.
Magistrate Michael Laudat asked the prosecution to prepare a written case for “the police vs Hector John” and for the defense to prepare a written defense. He told the prosecution to submit their written case on December 6 and the defense to prepare a written argument by November 15, while he will rule on the case on December 13.
Then the judge released the defendant on a $10,000 bond with one surety.
But John said after his release that the government cannot intimidate him into silence because the people of Dominica deserve more than what they are getting from the present government.
“They will not intimidate me,” he said defiantly. “Everybody who takes actions will face the consequences. I am a strong advocate for open and transparent and accountable government. They have given me more energy to do what I do as a member of parliament.”
John’s legal team consists of Gildon Richards, Cara Shillingford, Ronald Charles, and Henry Dyer.
This article is copyright © 2019 DOM767
