(Jamaica Observer) KINGSTON, Jamaica – Lead attorney for the Barbados government Roger Forde was this morning sharply reprimanded by head judge Sir Dennis Byron as Shanique Myrie’s case against the eastern Caribbean island continues in the Caribbean Court of Justice at the Jamaica Conference Centre in Kingston.
Forde earned the reproach after he attempted to discredit claims by witness Odisha Brown that she was discriminated against and refused entry into Barbados. Brown was to be accepted into Barbados by another Jamaican, Douglas Wright.
“I suggest to you that Douglas Wright is known to the immigration department as a facilitator of persons into Barbados who do not meet the requirement,” Forde said.
An attorney for the government of Jamaica objected saying that Forde was not in a position to know Wright’s position with the Barbados immigration department, at which point Justice Byron intervened.
“Mr Forde you are going to have a problem because we do not intend to have a trial by ambush,” the chief justice told the attorney.
Earlier Avia James also took the stand on behalf of the Jamaican government.
Myrie is seeking damages after claiming she was sexually assaulted by a Barbados immigration officer, insulted, and then denied entry into the country.
