Dear Editor,
Was Attorney Nigel Hughes conferring with his client Travis Chase in the parking lot and offices of the Guyana Police Force? And, if so, does it become a space protected by Attorney-Client privilege and a right to privacy? I think not… There can be no reasonable expectation of privacy in a public space, for if this precedent is set, then we may as well do away with cameras in all public spaces. I believe the police are well within their rights to record everything that happens within their compound; should an attorney wish to confer with a client (who is not detained or in custody) the Attorney can leave the police premises and use his/her offices, a bar or even a rooftop to have that private conversation.
Given that the Police were following evidence that supports a theory of a false attack on Chase, the Police were well within their rights to record every aspect of their interaction to safeguard themselves from any attempt at fiction; in fact, Chase made the following cryptic statement while in the Police parking lot “They know very well why they want to keep my weapon.” Hughes and Chase had ample time to meet and confer before their voluntary arrival at the Guyana Police Force Ballistics Office; Hughes’ letter demanding the Commissioner of Police destroy any/all recordings made on police premises is baseless in law and I urge Commissioner Hicken to call his bluff forthwith.
Sincerely,
Robin Singh
