News
New Judge Coming for Mike Misick & Others, CJ Recuses Herself
By Wilkie Arthur
Freelance Court Reporter
#TurksandCaicos, June 29, 2023 – Chief Justice the Hon. Mabel Agyemang on Thursday June 22, 2023 recused herself from trying the second part or part two of the SIPT trial.
Appearing in the Supreme Court, Turks and Caicos Islands on Tuesday 20th June, 2023, before Her Ladyship the Hon Chief Justice was the former premier and attorney MICHAEL MISICK and his brother, also an attorney THOMAS CHALMERS MISICK and former minister of Government MCALLISTER HANCHELL.
Sitting in the front row was the accused Michael Misick*and his attorney, Mr. Gilbert Peterson KC and his defense team, behind him in the second row was his brother, who is an attorney *Thomas Chalmers Misick with his attorney Mr. Malcolm Bishop KC and his defense team and in the third row was McAllister Hanchell, a former government minister with his attorney Mr. Jerome Lynch KC and his defense team.
The matter was listed for Plea and Directions Hearing (PDH) as the accused were to be arraigned, charges read to them, pleas taken and the trial began. However, before the PDH could properly commenced, the Hon Chief Justice
She then began by saying that ‘I don’t think I can handle this matter as she has been involved in the first trial and there may very well be overlapping evidence.’
The Chief Justice was referring to the SIPT trial (part #1) which was against Floyd Hall, Jeffrey Hall, Melbourne Wilson and Clayton Greene. She is now in deliberations on that trial presently.
The Chief Justice does not feel that she is the best person to continue with the second part of the SIPT trial, which would also last for months and could run possibly to the end of 2024 (next year).
There was discussion as to when part two of the SIPT trial will restart and when a new judge will be appointed.
The Chief Justice said that it will be speedily ‘but we do not have a judge appointed as yet, the process of getting a new judge has begun and it will be dealt with instantaneously.’
The Defendants were released back on bail pending the same conditions and she also advised that legal aid in the matter for all counsels is also extended and continues.
The CJ advised the counsels (albeit lightheartedly) that are they are being paid through legal aid and they must continue to work as there is no specific date the next trial will start.
The Hon Chief Justice reminded all Counsel and the Defendants that as she has said and stands by that “no matter how many years has passed in this case, the results of it should be acceptable.”