From the fijivillage online site:
A decision will now be made next Tuesday regarding Navy Commander Francis Kean’s application to have Judge Justice Gerad Winter disqualify himself from presiding over his murder trial. Kean’s lawyer Abhay Singh today read out allegations of bias decisions made by Justice Winter and stressed that they want Justice Winter to be disqualified.
Singh in his application, told the Court that Winter was one of the persons who would not have supported the Interim Government’s decision to expel New Zealand’s High Commissioner, Michael Green from Fiji as he also is a New Zealander, and added that Justice Winter would not give a fair trial to a navy man.
Using the same logic, Judge Patik who is hearing this case is an Indian and since the 2006 coup has been widely labeled as an Indian coup, does this not disqualify him??
Singh also told the Court that Justice Winter had accompanied Fiji Court of Appeal’s President, Justice Gordon Ward to Law Asia Conference in which Justice Ward had spoken against the military takeover. Singh alleges that Justice Winter might have shared similar sentiments as Justice Ward.
Magistrate Ana Rokomokoti had wined and dined with Voreqe Bainimarama up at the officers mess for years while she was a member of the Military Forces. Does this mean, she might share similar sentiments which may disqualify her from hearing any coup related cases?
In an another allegation, the defense highlighted that a letter was written by the current Police Commissioner to the Permanent Secretary of the Justice Ministry, saying that a report was received that Justice Winter had allegedly said something against the military. Justice Winter has adjourned the proceedings till next Tuesday when he’ll make a decision on defense’s application.
Now this one takes the cake, where and when was this allegation made and when did this incident took place. Is this another of Pita ‘read between the lines’ Driti’s brilliant ideas?
Surely they must come up with better arguments then these or else I would advice Frankie not to pay Abhay and just represent himself.
October 5, 2007 at 2:12 pm
Wow, wow, wow, sa sega tale ni ratou qai vunitaka rawa tiko na Dina. Ra dau kaya na gone mai na koro – “Sa bera na pasi, sa lutu na i taqari!”!!!!!..Sa baci vakayagataki mai qo na kisi nei Tavalei Voreqe me kuri kina na nodratou vakamaduataki.!. Isa vakaloloma vei au o Teleni kevaka e dina na i tukutuku ni vola dou vakaraitaka toka mai qori ni kau mai nona office. [ I never thot he would do that kind of thing] . At least we should be thankful because the truths are being revealed here through these processes. We continue to focus on the issues as they develop. Reading between the lines, we will see those very fine lines of truths surfacing . That of deception and mischievious actions of the few desperate souls fighting a losing War and seeking to survive by hook or by crook…Lets keep on watching and reading between the lines….The truths are coming out…
October 5, 2007 at 10:10 pm
Yeah ,typical junta tactics. Kean you bastard,take your medicine like a man.Levu ga na va fancy,vacuvacu tiko va vei talia.
Do you know that this arsehole still enjoys the services of bodyguards?.Who’s paying for it?
October 5, 2007 at 11:39 pm
These army officers who are now occupying public office which needs to remain neutral are now showing their true colour (no school), they should not interfere with ongoing court cases.How did that lawyer get hold of the letter from Teleni to the PS Justice,this just goes to show they will go to any length to save one of their own, guilty or not so where is the intergrity of our justice system.
October 6, 2007 at 8:09 am
Don’t even try to understand their logic. The rest of the world has given up on listening to their bullshit. Even the Chinese and Indian governments they thought they were so pally with are thinking twice. They both know which side their bread is buttered on. They might see a strategic value in Fiji but neither sees a need to engage with flakes or in a regime that just spells trouble. Especially when it might well jeopardise interests elsewhere for them.
October 8, 2007 at 12:21 pm
It will be Fiji’s LOSS when this fine and honourable Judge leaves at the end of
his contract!
October 9, 2007 at 9:11 am
If he excapes conviction… then St Giles awaits him no doubt. He will carry with him those blood-stained hands for the rest of his life.
October 16, 2007 at 5:02 am
NP has asked a question that needs an answer – who is paying for Kean’s body guards?
October 16, 2007 at 7:44 am
Frida that is part of why the Military announced a $40 million blow out on its budget so far.