Attorney Nigel Hughes, who has been representing the interest of the families of the three men who were shot and killed at Linden on July 18, yesterday said he would no longer carry out these duties at the ongoing Commission of Inquiry after his line of cross-examination was terminated by Chairman of the Commis-sion, Justice Lensley Wolfe.
Hughes was at the time cross-examining former E&F Division Commander, Senior Superintendent of Police Clifton Hicken, who he asked about a meeting he had with Minister of Home Affairs Clement Rohee, along with Commissioner of Police Leroy Brumell and Crime Chief Seelall Persaud. Hughes asked the witness several times how long the meeting, which was held on the evening of July 17, had lasted. Hicken maintained that he could not recall.
It was as Hicken was directing a comment to the members of the commission that Hughes intervened.
“Esteemed commissioners permit me to…” Hicken said, before Hughes interjected, “Shoot me?”
Commissioner Wolfe then asked Hughes to withdraw what he said, or his cross-examination would be terminated, noting that protocol must be observed. “The ethics of profession must be observed whether at court or the commission of inquiry,” Wolfe affirmed. Hughes then turned off his microphone, effectively ending his cross-examination of Hicken.
Hughes remained in the library of the Supreme Court until members of the commission completed their questioning and when asked by Commissioner Cecil Kennard whether he had anything further to ask, Hughes indicated that he had spoken to his clients and explained to them that he was no longer in a position to represent them.
He then made his way out of the library swarmed by media operatives.
Stopping outside, Hughes stated that this was the last straw for him, adding that his remark “shoot me” was only an act of reciprocating.
Audio
Nigel Hughes’ interview
“He squared up and he was about to say something. So I said, ‘what you wanna do, shoot me?’ that’s what I said,” Hughes told reporters when asked specifically for the reason for his remark.
According to Hughes, if the witness could not answer his question about the period of the meeting, he was being “more than difficult. I can’t cross-examine. I asked a question. Why am I apologising for asking a question? Mr Hicken was clearly being difficult. I put a ridiculous suggestion to him, I asked whether the meeting was for six hours and he said he can’t recall,” the lawyer stated.
“All the evidence that we have brought, including the millions of dollars that we have spent to bring experts here has been made available to the public, they can judge for themselves and I’m confident that the public and more particularly, the people of Linden, have heard what has transpired, they have heard the evidence that has been led and they will make their own judgment. I have full confidence in the people of Linden. My concern is the people of Linden. I will still represent the citizens, I always represent the citizens but I am no longer in a position to be able to discharge my professional responsibilities because I’ve been precluded from asking questions,” Hughes further stated.
Asked what happens now, since there are other witnesses yet to appear, Hughes said competent lawyers remain, such as Basil Williams and James Bond. Asked if he has lost confidence in the commission, Hughes said he would only comment on that after the report is produced.
