Dear Editor,
Having read the news report regarding the discharge from duty of promising young magistrate Geeta Chandan-Edmond, one can only ask the question as to what caused the JSC to move at this particular time to terminate her services.
At the time of Ms Chandan-Edmond’s sacking she was presiding over a much talked about case involving the son of the current Prime Minister, Samuel Hinds. As reported in the media, Ms Chandan-Edmond found Mr Hinds (Jr) guilty of physical assault on a female and he was scheduled for sentencing soon. In this case timing is everything, and the JSC’s decision to dismiss Ms Chandan-Edmond at this time gives rise to a perception of a connection between the ruling and the termination of the magistrate’s services.
When one examines the allegations made by the JSC against the magistrate, one can only ask whether these claims warrant such a drastic measure. What about Ms Chandan-Edmond’s constitutional right to fair process? Of all professional bodies, one would assume that the JSC would be the one to know and ensure that citizens’ right to fair process is observed in any case brought against them.
Yours faithfully,
Lurlene Nestor