Black Immigrant Daily News

Matthew Munroe, the taxi driver who was in May of this year acquitted of the 2017 murder of 22-year-old teacher Kescia Branche, after spending almost five years on remand, is suing the State for more than $50.3 million, claiming that he was wrongfully incarcerated.

The 52-year-old, a resident of Diamond Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara (EBD), is being represented by a battery of attorneys-at-law led by Dexter Todd.

When Munroe was arraigned before Demerara High Court Judge Sandil Kissoon, the State was expected to call 35 witnesses during the trial. However, on the first day of the proceeding, the prosecution conceded that there was no direct evidence linking Munroe to the crime and that the prosecution’s main witness could not be located. As such, Justice Kissoon instructed the jury to return a formal verdict of not guilty and thereby discharged Munroe.

In his Statement of Claim (SoC) which listed the Attorney General and Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), as the respondents, Munroe is seeking $50.3 million in damages for violations of his constitutional rights, including the wrongful advancement of a murder charge against him, his wrongful detention for four years and six months and a breach of his fundamental right to liberty.

Munroe was first charged with the murder in November 2017 and was remanded to prison.

Dead: Kescia Branche

At the end of a Preliminary Inquiry (PI) on October 16, 2018, he was committed to stand trial. An indictment for the offence of murder was preferred against him in September 2020.

According to Munroe’s lawyers, they continuously wrote the DPP’s office from October 2018 to July 2021 for the discharge of their client from prison as there was no evidence to secure a conviction against him, that he was innocent and that he was unjustly being detained.

Seeking orders

Given the delay in their client’s trial, the lawyers submitted that they filed an action in the Demerara High Court seeking certain administrative orders, including declarations that their client’s constitutional rights were being breached by his continued incarceration.

“The Claimant [Munroe] remained in custody from November 2017 to May 2022 until his indictment was presented and he was acquitted of the charges against him by the Honourable Justice Kissoon after the prosecution failed to establish a case against him,” reads the SoC.

The lawyers submitted that at a case management conference (CMC) held by Justice Kissoon with them and the State prosecutor, the State prosecutor disclosed that despite there being no real evidence linking their client to the crime, he was instructed by the DPP, Shalimar Ali-Hack, SC, to still proceed and present the indictment.

Munroe’s legal team added: “The indictment was presented and the State was allowed to call their first three witnesses. At the conclusion of hearing the three witnesses, the Honouarbale Trial Judge asked for a second Case Management Conference and informed both counsel that the Honourable trial Judge had consulted with the Honourable Chief Justice as he was very concerned about the waste of judicial time and has since come to the conclusion that the prosecution will close their case and the jury will be so directed to return a verdict of not guilty.”

As a result of his unlawful incarceration, Munroe claimed that he lost $24.8 million in income as he previously worked as a marketing agent with Puran Brothers Inc, and as a taxi driver.

Besides damages, the former murder accused is asking a Judge to declare that his arrest and detention for almost five years without a trial was unreasonable and was in contravention of Article 144 of the Constitution which outlines provisions to secure protection of the law.

Article 144 (1) of the Constitution provides that: “If any person is charged with a criminal offence, then, unless the charge is withdrawn, the case shall be afforded a fair hearing within a reasonable time by an independent and impartial court established by law.”

According to his lawyers, the DPP holds a constitutional office and “at all times was obligated to act fairly, dispassionately, in accordance with the law and legal principles and without bias in the discharge of the constitutional responsibility vested” in her office.

In addition, the taxi driver is also seeking compensatory damages, interest, costs, and such further orders the court deems just in the circumstances.

Branche, who had been a teacher at the Richard Ishmael Secondary School, had been found unconscious at the corner of Louisa Row and Princes Street, Georgetown, on November 5, 2017, and had died at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation on November 7, 2017.

Her cause of death was given as haemorrhage and blunt trauma to the head.

Munroe was arrested sometime after, and was charged with the offence of murder. He had allegedly departed Guyana for the United States of America some time in November 2017, but after spending some time overseas, had returned to Guyana and presented himself to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) Headquarters at Eve Leary, Georgetown.

The Police have said that, during interrogation, Munroe could not provide information on his whereabouts on the night that the schoolteacher was reportedly assaulted, as well as a reason for his car bumper being missing. Branche had been a mother of one and a resident of Cummings Lodge, Greater Georgetown. According to reports, the young mother had left home for a night of partying. Her son was left in the care of a friend, who revealed that Branche had told her she had intended to go to a city nightclub to meet a male friend.

Branche had later returned home, but had subsequently left again. She had told her friend that she would be home by 02:00h but had never returned. She had last been seen leaving a nightclub on Lamaha Street, Georgetown, in the company of two Police ranks. The father of Branche’s child was also arrested after the teacher’s mobile phone was found in his possession.

He and four Policemen had been questioned about her death, but they were later released from custody. Munroe and his lawyers have since pleaded with the Guyana Police Force (GPF) to reopen the investigation into the murder of the young woman.

“I would like for this case to be reopened. If the media and the general public could join with me and we could ask the Government or whoever is responsible for this case to be reopened so that justice could be served. It is not fair for Ms Branche and her family and even for her son…it is not fair for them; justice must be served,” a tearful Munroe had related. (Feona Morrison)

NewsAmericasNow.com

Black Immigrant Daily News

– Advertisement –

Executives of Global Ports Holding Plc (GPH) participated in several government-endorsed stakeholder meetings last week to discuss community benefits and opportunities available for collaboration through the highly anticipated St. Lucia Cruise Port project.

The partnership between the Government of Saint Lucia and GPH – the world’s largest independent cruise port operator – includes a 30-year concession agreement for cruise-related operations at Castries and Soufriere Bay.

Under the agreement, GPH will upgrade Berth 1 at Pointe Seraphine to accommodate Oasis-class ships – the largest cruise ships in service – which will assist in increasing cruise passenger volume to St. Lucia from its annual peak of 790,000 passengers to over one million per year.

The award-winning port operations firm will also reduce traffic congestion and improve the guest experience in and around Castries Harbour by introducing new ferries and ferry routes to Banannes Bay, LPC, and Pointe Seraphine. T

– Advertisement –

his initiative will include adding new ferry and docking facilities at those locations and the construction of a seaside boardwalk.

GPH will make further investments in the expansion of cruise port infrastructure and cultural & heritage tourism sites through development of the Fisherman’s Village, Vendor’s Arcade, and Soufriere Bay to create more opportunities for the community.

In addition to these significant infrastructure and experiential enhancements, GPH will provide substantial financial relief to the Government of Saint Lucia and the Saint Lucia Air and Sea Port Authority (SLASPA) by taking over approximately US$20 million in SLASPA debt.

As a destination, St. Lucia will benefit from extensive cross-marketing opportunities to more than 18 million passengers that flow annually through the 26 cruise ports within the worldwide GPH network.

“We’re extremely excited to work with key stakeholders across the Saint Lucian cruise and tourism sectors, said Colin Murphy, GPH Head of Business Development, Americas. “We have received such a warm welcome and very positive responses from the groups we’ve spoken to. We recognize that establishing strong relationships with key stakeholders is a critical part of ensuring that this partnership is successful for everyone, which is why we made having these conversations our immediate priority after signing the Memorandum of Understanding.”

Last week, Mr. Murphy, and Dr. Sean Matthews, GPH Business Development Advisor, met with executives of SLASPA; tour operators including Cox and Company St. Lucia; Brian Louisy, Executive Director of the St. Lucia Chamber of Commerce, Industry, and Agriculture; executives of the Saint Lucia Hotel and Tourism Association; and the leadership of Invest Saint Lucia.

The duo also began brief interactions with taxi drivers and met with the Soufriere Fisherman’s Co-operative Society.

“Over the last few days, we’ve shared our ideas and received great feedback about the needs and wants of the community and the things that we need to consider,” Murphy explained. “We know that there is a lot of work to do, but we also know that we can’t do it alone. Your success is our success, and recognizing that, everyone’s voice is important. There are many seats at this table.”

Dr. Matthews added that “This series of meetings marks the beginning of our community outreach efforts, which will include establishing a consultative committee of key local stakeholders to ensure that the goals of the project remain aligned with the priorities of the Saint Lucian people. Our aim is to keep the lines of communication open so that we can all work together to achieve our collective mission – to bring more cruise passengers and more opportunity to St. Lucia to benefit our community and all involved in this effort. We need everyone’s participation to make this happen.

SOURCE: Global Ports Holding

– Advertisement –

NewsAmericasNow.com

Black Immigrant Daily News

Ta prohibi pa camindanan publico di un of otro manera wordo susha

ORANJESTAD (AAN):  Bureau City Inspector ta e departamento (banda di Cuerpo Policial) cu ta encarga cu control di desperdicio y con esaki ta wordo transporta riba caminda publico.

            Vocero di BCI sr. Robby Rosel kier a duna un splicacion ariba e transporte di desperdicio cu ta hopi den e dianan aki y cu ta laga nos camindanan hopi sushi.

 Con pa transporta desperdicio ariba caminda publico?

            Ordenansa general di polis ta indica lo siguiente:

Articulo 16; Ta prohibi pa camindanan publico di un of otro manera wordo susha.

 Articulo 17 parti B ta indica lo siguiente:

            Ta prohibi pa transporta sushi, piedra, sushi di construccion, calki, tera, mest, sas di palo, santo, mata corta , yerba, hooi , papel , shinishi , lodo , sushi of cualkier otro material, cu no sea e ta tapa adecuadamente, den un medio di transporte cu alabes ta ekipa y ta wordo usa pa esaki , cu ta evita cu e contenido por  bula of sali cay for di e medio di transporte.

E ley ta bisa:

– Caminda Publico ta encera tur caya y caminda accesibel pa publico.

– E vehiculo cu ta transporta e desperdicio pa tur medio di transporte p.e. pick-up, trailers, truck, etc.

– Tapa tur tipo di desperdicio debidamente ta ensera cu lo mester tin un lona cu ta tapa e bakinan aki.

            BCI kier a haci un yamada na henter e pueblo di Aruba pa ban mantene Aruba limpi y ban uza lona ora di transporta desperdicio.

NewsAmericasNow.com

Black Immigrant Daily News

ORANJESTAD (AAN): Tienda di Educacion ta felicita tur nos muchanan ariba Dia Internacional di Derecho di Mucha.

20 November 2022 ta conmemora cu 33 aña pasa, na 1989, Nacion Nan Uni a firma e tratado di Derecho di Mucha. Derecho di Mucha ta resorta bou di Derecho Humano Universal.

Durante full e siman aki Comision Vision Pedagogico di Aruba cu ta celebrando su 5 aniversario ta organisa diferente actividad en conexion cu e siman di lantamento di mucha. Tienda di Educacion cu ta forma parti di e comision lo tin un actividad awe diaranson 16 november di 5 or – 7:30 pm na Neptali Henriquez Park.

Everyday Sensoryplay hunto cu Fundacion Pa Nos Muchanan lo tene tayer interactivo cu lo trata e punto nr. 3 di Vision Pedagogico cual ta sea realistico y lo tin como tema Playful Parenting. Lo bay efoca ariba e importancia di hunga y tambe kico ta realistico den e fase di desaroyo ora ta trata hungamento. Tur e actividadnan ta gratis y registracion no ta necesario. 

Tienda di Educacion conhuntamente cu Comision Vision Pedagocico Aruba ta invita pueblo di Aruba pa asisiti na tur e actividadnan rond nos isla durante henter e siman di lantamento di mucha. 

Muchanan ta futuro di nos nacion. Ta nos deber pa proteha nos muchanan di tur peliger y tambe sigura nan un desaroyo sano. Na Aruba nos tin mas of menos 20% di nos poblacion di mas cu 112.000 habitante cu ta mucha nan di entre 0 – 18 aña. Aruba ta conta cu un comision cu ta salvaguardia e desaroyo positivo di nos muchanan cu ta e Opvoed Commisie cu ta consisti di varios NGO’s & tambe GO. Tin un Vision Pedagogico cu ta consisti di 6 punto basico den lantamento di mucha. Pues:

Lanta bo yiu den un ambiente safe y amoroso
Apoyo positivo, guia y pasa tempo hunto
Sea realistico
Disciplina positive
Cuida bo mes
Busca sosten y ayudo

Mayor nan tin e obligacion y responsabilidad cu nan yui (nan) y mucha nan tin nan derecho nan. Pero no solamente derecho pero tambe responsabilidad nan. Tin varios nacion na mundo cu ta implementa diferente “responsabilidad” nan pa e mucha nan. Aki nan ta unda Unicef ta focus ariba 9 responsabilidad universal cu ta wordo verwacht di mucha nan apart di nan derecho nan como mucha. Unicef a categorisa y inventarisa 9 diferente responsabilidad cu nos kier comparti tambe cu comunidad Arubano.  

Responsabilidad nan di mucha segun Unicef:

Pa scucha di otro;
Pa take care (cuida) di nan mes;
Pa studia y respeta nan tutor (maestro);
Pa mustra amor y compassion na otro;
Pa ta e miho version di nan mes;
Pa respeta religion y decendencia di otro nan;
Pa mantene nan camber (shelter) limpi;
Pa siña di nan fout nan;
Pa no malgasta nada di cuminda.

E tratado di Derecho Di Mucha ta elabora ariba un total di 54 articulo y ta pone enfasis ariba e edad di 0 te 18 aña. E tratado ta focus ariba e derecho nan segun e 3 P-nan, pues:

Provee necesidad nan basico manera cuminda, shelter y medicina entre otro;
Proteccion di cualkier peliger sea humano of di naturalesa;
Participacion den un comunidad y derecho di un number propio, un fam y ricibi educacion.

Aruba ta conta cu su telefon pa hubentud cu ta 131, mucha nan y hoben nan por yama gratis y anonimo. Aruba ta conta tambe cu un Biblioteca pero tambe un Hungateca (speel-o-theek). Den e parti di educacion academico tin varios tipo di educacion acesibel pa mucha nan. Tin varios service clubs cu ta focus ariba e desaroyo di nos muchanan cu diferente projecto y tambe cu fondo nan disponibel. Y naturalmente pa mayor nan cu pregunta por Yama 161, Tienda di Educacion gratis y anonimo. Por tuma contacto tambe cu pregunta tocante desaroyo di muchanan cu Fundacion Pa Nos Muchanan na 5834247.

Muchanan merece nos amor, cariño y admiracion. Sin mucha nos no tin futuro. Ban nos tur yuda cuida nos muchanan. Yama 161 (anonimo) pa cualkier pregunta tocante lantamento di mucha y hoben. Tienda di Educacion t’ey pa duna conseho y guia.

Nos di Tienda di Educacion ta pone enfasis ariba educacion di un yiu. Un sonrisa den cara di nos yiu por hasi milager. P’esey ta importante pa nos como mayor of educador trece alegria, aunke nos tin suficiente den nos mente, pa nos yiu (nan) tin un infancia y desaroyo sin mucho preocupacion. Nos ta sostene mayor, educador of cualkier persona cu tin e tarea pa lanta un mucha cu cualkier preocupacion of pregunta. Nos ta duna servicio telefonico via 161 di dialuna pa diabierna di 8am – 6pm.

Bienestar y siguridad di nos muchanan ta e responsabilidad di nos tur! Yama 161 pa cualkier pregunta tocante lantamento di mucha y hoben. Tienda di Educacion t’ey pa duna conseho y guia.

Cuida bo salud y alimenta bo mente cu positivismo! Ban lanta nos muchanan cu amor y compasion pa asina crea futuro generacion sano di bon boluntad.

NewsAmericasNow.com