The Court of Appeal yesterday set aside the 1982 conviction and sentencing of Donald Rodney for unlawful possession of explosives stemming from the bomb blast that killed his brother, political activist and historian Dr Walter Rodney.
The Appeal Court ruled that Rodney’s constitutional rights were breached given the almost 40 years the appeal took to be heard.
Director of Public Prosecutions Shalimar Ali-Hack SC conceded to the fact that the case had spent an unduly long time within the criminal justice system, thereby breaching Rodney’s constitutional rights. In a brief statement following the ruling, Ali-Hack said the decision by the court is in keeping with the law.