BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – MEMBERS of the media were disallowed entry into the Magistrate Court this morning (Feb. 14) to listen to the case brought against the appointment of Attorney-General Jason Hamilton as a Senator in the National Assembly and the Increase in Senators Bill, which was recently passed in Parliament.
Members of the media, and some citizens of the Federation who had been closely following the political saga, showed up at the Sir Lee Llewellyn Moore Judicial Complex today only to be left standing on the sidelines.
This media house understands that the High Court, which was the intended Circuit for the hearing, was already in use with a criminal matter held in camera, so one of the Magistrate Circuits was substituted.
The media representatives were first told that the Courtroom was being prepared for the case and they were asked to wait outside.
After awaiting entry for quite some time, they were told by a heavily armed member of the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force that the room was a small one, it was filled to capacity with counsels of both sides and there was no available space.
The officer said it was for that reason neither media personnel nor members of the public would be allowed to sit in. They were then asked to exit the Court’s veranda, to which everyone complied.
Members of the media stood on the far end of the sidewalk engaged in conversation and were again approached by an officer and asked to retreat and go across the street, because “the judge said she can see your heads”, to which one media repexclaimed, “That is strange...the judge is a man!”
The media personnel later voiced that being barred from entering the Courtroom is an injustice to members of the public, who depend on the media to provide them with accurate and timely information.
The media personnel added that it was very disconcerting to be on the outside while a case of such nature is being heard, because one would have to rely on second-hand information which should not be, especially given the recent back and forth arguments between both sides of the political divide.
