The Guyana Court of Appeal has given child rapist Mark Campbell the next two weeks to retain a lawyer or he will have to represent himself in the challenge to his convictions and the two life sentences he is currently serving.
When the matter was called yesterday morning, Campbell told acting Chan-cellor Yonette Cummings-Edwards that his family is very poor and he could not afford an attorney at this time.
He then went on to explain that he had been further constrained, having been informed only a short time prior that his matter was set to be called.
He offered that had he been informed way in advance, he would have made efforts to contact his family to ascertain whether they would be able to afford an attorney for him; and requested some time to so do.
Chancellor Cummings-Edwards said that the matter had been fixed since May, and indicated the Court’s surprise that Campbell had not been informed earlier.
In the circumstances, however, she said that the appellant would be granted time to retain counsel.
The matter was then adjourned to August 31st for reports; but the Court made it clear to Campbell that if he does not have a lawyer by then, he must be prepared to move forward, representing himself.
Campbell is currently serving two life sentences for raping two boys.
In one case he was convicted by a jury, while in the other he pleaded guilty.
In the first case, a jury in 2017 convicted Campbell of sexually penetrating a six-year-old boy twice—during the month of September, 2011—and again on July 10th, 2013, when he was eight years old.
Justice Simone Morris-Ramlall sentenced him to life in prison.
Forgoing his right to a trial, Campbell who was back in court mere months after to answer the charge of raping the other boy, admitted that he had indeed assaulted the five-year-old on April 16th, 2013.
Justice Priya Sewnarine-Beharry before whom that matter was called, also imposed a life sentence, ordering further that he is not to be considered eligible for parole until after serving 30 years.
The judges had underscored the seriousness and prevalence of the offences, while noting the position of trust Campbell would have breached by committing the act; and further alluded to the physical, psychological and emotional trauma which have scarred the children.
The appeal will be heard by the Chancellor and Justices of Appeal Dawn Gregory and Rishi Persaud.
The state’s case is being presented by Prosecutor Teshana James-Lake.
