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S A L E
FRIDAY,
APRIL 5, 2013
VOLUME 107, No.14
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Q.C: ASSISTANT DPP WENT OVERBOARD by HAYDN HUGGINS
Carlyle Dougan Q.C., countered with a reference to the Asst. DPP’s impressions of his competence.
While Queen’s Counsel Carlyle Dougan thinks Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions Colin John “went overboard,” by recently suggesting that he (Dougan) embark on a refresher course in law, he admires the Assistant DPP for “his enthusiasm. “I think he has ability which is yet to be fulfilled”, Dougan told THE VINCENTIAN during an interview on Tuesday. The Queen’s Counsel of some 18 years described John as “a young lawyer who is highly enthusiastic, has some ability, but has a false impression of his competence.” He added, “that (competence) or otherwise will be proven with a fluxion of time. I wish Mr. John all the best.” Dougan has been a practising lawyer for 43 years, during which time he served as Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Attorney General, Crown Counsel and Magistrate. He pointed out, “The good lawyer is always refreshing his legal mind, otherwise you cannot succeed in this digital age.” During the closing of the Criminal Assizes last week Tuesday, March 26, the Assistant DPP suggested that the veteran lawyer embark on a refresher course and pursue some continued professional development. John was responding to remarks Dougan had made earlier. The Q.C. had raised concerns that his client, Shawn Veira, has been awaiting trial on a murder charge for the past three Assizes, but up to the closing of the last Assizes the matter was not heard. The former AG argued that it was wrong, unjust and unconstitutional to have someone awaiting trial for so long. Dougan also contended that the DPP had no right to dictate to or threaten legal action against the Commissioner of Police for failing to carry out his directions. The DPP had written to the
Commissioner on March 8 informing that charges ought to be laid against three policemen in connection with the December 5, 2012 shooting of Police Corporal Milford Edwards. DPP Colin Williams had told THE VINCENTIAN on March 20 that the law provided for charges to be laid for neglect of duties, against those who fail to act. But he made it clear, “that is an option. I am sure that things would be dealt with in the proper manner”. Charges were laid against the three officers on March 25, about 17 days after the DPP had written to the Commissioner, and they were taken to court the same day. The DPP was not at the closing of the Assizes last week Tuesday, but the Assistant DPP told the court that Dougan was wrong in all the issues that he raised. He added that he respected the QC for his more than 40 years of practice and his seniority, and suggested that he pursue a refresher course and some continued professional development. Dougan did not respond then to John’s remarks, but attorney Grant Connell expressed the view that the comments were disrespectful and uncalled for, and asked the Assistant DPP to apologise to the Queen’s Counsel. John did not comply. Presiding Judge Wesley James, in delivering closing remarks, said he would not call on the Assistant DPP to apologise. In relation to Dougan’s concerns about the length of time his client is awaiting trial, Justice James said Colin John, Asst. DPP, had suggested that, “in all jurisdictions, including the United States, there is a backlog that Carlyle Dougan do a refresher course. of cases.”
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