BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - CLECTON PHILLIP, the social commentator and puolitical activist who was arrested for alleged disorderly conduct whilst being part of a protest group where Prime Minister the Rt. Hon. Dr. Denzil Douglas’ 2014 New Year’s Gala has had his case adjourned after it was schedule to be heard on Tesday (Oct. 28).
Phillip told this publication that the Magistrate in the matter Her Worship Josephine Mallalieu-Webbe adjourned the proceedings citing the absence of the only witness.
“They say they weren’t ready because the only witness they had was off island and is sick. We had also told the Magistrate that we had asked for disclosure from the prosecution based on which they brought the charged and how they are making their case. That is what they have to give to the defence.”
He told SKNVibes that the witness is the officer who carried out the arrest.
“The witness is the arresting officer. The Police Commissioner is who told him to arrest me and to lay the charge. I hope he gets well soon for his health and for me to get the opportunity to clear my name.”
He however declared that the proceedings would have been adjourned even with the witness present because his lawyers have yet to receive a disclosure document from the Prosecution.
“My lawyer has been asking for it for months and they have not brought it as yet. The persecution promised that they would get that document to him on that same day I haven’t verified if he got it from them as yet.
“They would not have been able to proceed anyway with them having made that disclosure but because the witness is sick and off island, they asked for the case to be adjourned.”
Phillip also disclosed that he would be taking the matter further as he believes that his constitutional rights had been violated.
“Once again I have to wait…since the first week of November that charge has been laid, my mug shot has been placed all over the world and I have not been given the opportunity to clear my name.
“We have also said to them this is more than a small charge. They brought a charge of disorderly conduct by making noise. My lawyer told the Magistrate we would ask for the proceedings to be suspended so that we could take the matter to the Constitutional Court because we believe it is a matter that my constitutional rights to express myself and freedom of association that are enshrined in the Constitution were infringed.”
Phillip informed that the case matter has been adjourned until December 1, 2014 at which point an update is expected to be given before the court.
It is reported on the night of the incident members of the Unity Movement and some of its supporters held a protest exercise outside of the Marriott Hotel during the Prime Minister’s’ 2014 New Year’s Gala.
