BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – ATTORNEY-AT-LAW Denzil Hinds, who was sentenced to 10 days in prison for contempt of court, has been released on bail pending an appeal against his conviction.
Hinds was convicted of the offence last Thursday (Nov. 22) following the utterance of a certain phrase after the case he was defending was declared a mistrial.
On Friday (Nov. 23), Hinds appeared before Justice Paul Dennis at the Charlestown High Court to answer to the charge that was laid against him.
He was asked to explain to the court the reason for his conduct during the trial, his ignorance towards the court's authority and a reason why he should not be sent to prison.
Hinds however did not give the court satisfaction and was sentenced to serve 10 days at Her Majesty's Prison, not before assuring him that he [Justice Dennis] would be making recommendations and would also be sending a full copy of the proceeding's transcript to all relevant bodies, including the Attorney General's office and the St. Christopher and Nevis Bar Association.
The Attorney was the legal representation for one of the males who was standing trial for rape and robbery.
As a result of Hinds’ behaviour and his actions during cross examination of the virtual complainant on the afternoon of (Nov. 22), Justice Dennis aborted the trial to which Hinds allegedly uttered “that is what I wanted all the time”.
This publication learned that the case was traversed to the April 2013 Criminal Assizes.
Hinds had allegedly also stated, “I have ideas of justice that have standards way above this court”, to which Justice Dennis told him that he was an officer of the Court and had challenged its integrity as well as his [Justice Dennis] duty to uphold and to serve.
He was then found in contempt of court.
Hinds would be appealing his conviction, which is expected to be heard at the next sitting of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court of Appeal in March 2013.
