Journalist On Sex Charge
ROY MORRIS, managing editor of The Nation Publishing Company, appeared before the District “B” Boarded Hall Magistrates’ Court yesterday on a charge of rape. Morris, of Warrens Park, St Thomas was not required to plead to having unlawful sexual intercourse with a 16-year-old female. There was no objection to bail and Magistrate Robert Simmons released him on a surety of $10 000. He was ordered to turn in his passport, and to report to the nearest police station thrice weekly – Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
The matter was adjourned until November 1.
Source:Nation
Former Nation Editor Charged With Rape
Web Posted – Wed Aug 15 2007
FORMER Editor of the Nation Publishing Company, Roy Morris, was charged with one count of rape. He was placed on $10 000 bail with one surety. Morris was required to surrender all travel documents and has to report to District B police station every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. He will return to court on November 1. Morris appeared before Magistrate Robert Simmons at the District B Magistrates Court.
Source: Advocate News
Editor Charged With Rape
Tuesday, 14 August 2007Editor Roy Morris has appeared in court charged with rape. District B Magistrate, Robert Simmons has released him on 10 thousand dollars bail with one surety. Morris was made to surrender his passport and told to report to the District B Police Station every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. He was represented by attorney-at-law Ralph Thorne and will return to court on November 1.
Source: CBC
Above are some of the headlines breaking news by Barbados media houses this morning, as we continue to mourn the passing of one of the country’s veteran journalist. This day is sad in more ways than one. Contributors have been consistently critical of our coverage, which would have you believe that we don’t want to cover the story; but more so, the symbolism of what Roy Morris represented to Barbados at this time in our history. Since the political enfranchisement of Barbados, a predominantly black country, we have proudly educated our people to ensure that as a country we produce leaders who are capable to lead in all fields of endeavor. Over the last decade Roy Morris, a black man, has demonstrated his willingness to approach the task of being a journalist in a snub nose manner which has earned him the respect of a Barbadian public who has shown little respect for the profession of journalism over the years. The contribution of our Press and particularly journalists like Roy Morris, Harold Hoyte and David Ellis in our recent history have struggled to represent the face of journalism in Barbados at a time when our democracy has come under threat more and more from the political directorate.
We can debate why it has been a struggle for journalists like Roy and others to deliver unbiased reporting over the years and whether the obvious manipulation of the media in Barbados has been responsible for the rise of Bajan blogs. In today’s Barbados Free Press commentary on the unfolding saga, the role the blogosphere in fanning the Roy Morris incident has been suggested as part of the reason why the authorities were forced to act this time around. We are not sure if the blogs led to Roy Morris demise; however, we are sure about the thirst by Barbadians for opportunities to discuss issues unhindered by the strictures of a controlled society. This position is becoming reinforced every day as we witness the growing readership of our blogs. Bear in mind the growth is being achieved without any commercial advertising; just by word of mouth and the collaboration of bajan blogs who “ping” each other.
We do not feel that we are digressing to suggest that the departure of Roy Morris at the Trinidadian controlled media house in Fontebelle may now offer the opportunity for One Media to take more editorial control. BU’s position on the dominating influence by Trinidadians on the landscape of Barbados is well documented.
As Barbadians battle this day with the shame which Roy Morris has visited on a proud black people, let us all use this opportunity to reflect on how we can work to protect the right to have freedom of expression in our small but proud country. Some of us forget that our democracy cannot only be defined by the right of our citizens to place an X on a ballot paper; but equally as important is the right to expect that news will be reported uninterpreted by our media houses.
Related BU Story
The Demise of Roy Morris: Veteran Journalist At The Nation Newspaper Part I
David Ellis Speaks-out On Behalf Of The Beleaguered Media Practitioners In Barbados
Press Freedom Under Threat In Barbados
Barbadians We Can Learn From the Akon Affair~The Voices Of The People Must Be Heard!
The Teenage Girl You Are all Talking about is the real girl. I know her. I’ve spoken with her. It’s no prank.
I doubt this is the real victim. Anyone affected by such an act would not write such a story using empathy towards the alleged accuser’s family. Her main focused if she did in fact submitted such a letter it would have been based on her being a victim and the person as an animal. She would never have dwell on his family and with that I say this is a fictitious person trying to create hype on the case. The commenter “RANDOM GUY” is part of the act. Let’s allow the law to takes it course. Peace.
What would happen if a man complained that he was raped?
Everyone would laff and say it is not possible.
I’m very sorry if some of you don’t believe that I am the girl or that “Random Guy” is being truthful but, we are giving true accounts.
Randon Guy has been a good friend through this very difficult ordeal and he has no reason to lie.
I can’t give you any information about myself personally and I won’t.
Nevertheless I did not come here to prove anything to anyone, I just came here to lend you a pair of eyes. It’s up to you to accept the truth or make up excuses not to believe.
Tell Me Why obviously is a psychoanalyst whose word is incontrovertible. Ok, you got us. We’re part of some contrivance to deceive the masses with malicious propaganda. You got us all figured out…. Get a clue. She didn’t come here to beg for sympathy. Morris’ family got betrayed…Bottom line. If she chooses to empathize with the family a little after all this time then let her. She said what she felt she needed to say. As for you believing, whether I exist or not is irrelevant. I didn’t come here to prove anything to anyone. She’ll be there tomorrow whether it makes “logical sense” to you or not.
Whether this is a hoax or not is not important. The fact is this case is lingering too long. There seem to be a law for the Meedes and one for the Persions. Had this been some ordinary person case would have finished one way or the other. I too, some years ago had a serious case with a executive bajan man and I had to use some persuasion and pull some cords to get the case heard. Eventually, he came to court with a Q.C and bombarded my attorney with some legal jargon. In the end the magistrate acknowledge his guilt but said that a technical error made by my attorney caused him to go in favor of the big man. He walked away, guilty but legally innocent. I know how such victims feel, the system is not fair.
Guilty, but legally innocent, Scout? What does this mean? Guilty of what, since you had an attorney, it seems not to be a criminal matter.
Juris
He WAS guilty but a technical legal matter saved him. This is just one of many cases like this in court. Many persons walk free not because they didn’t commit the crime but a technicality got them free. I once saw a now deceased Judge turn his colour when he had to release an accused on such a technicality. Lawyers are a law unto themselves.
The reason that my case is lingering is because, Mr. Morris and his lawyer always find some sort of excuse when it comes to the case.
For example in August was the recent time that I went, He and his lawyer was there (the time before his lawyer was, he was dealing with some other case or at least that was the excuse), but they had the excuse that his attorney, Mr.Ralph Thorne never read my statement which the police had since July 2007.
Now tell me if you have nothing to fear why would you delay the case with such lame excuses.
You can’t run all the time…
God sees your every deed and his judgment is far more greater and satisfying.
Jippy Doyle’s took 7 years but in the end justice was done. The old folks used to say ” day does run til night catch it.” Have faith.
Care to tell more about this technicality, Scout? I know that laymen feel that a criminal can get off on a technicality, but this is hardly ever so, since the technicality would serve to prevent any assessment of guilt. Are you saying he was guilty because you felt he was?
Nevertheless I did not come here to prove anything to anyone, I just came here to lend you a pair of eyes. It’s up to you to accept the truth or make up excuses not to believe.
………………………………………………………
Don’t get me wrong my friend, I find it questionable why you knowingly have a court cast on October 23, and you try re-living the scenario. The least you talk the better it would be on your date in court. Please note that I am a parent of two adult daughters and I would have advised them to refrain from talking.
BU family please note that there is no way we can verify the postings of The Teenage Girl You All Are Talking About. If she is who she says she is we remind her that her matter is sub judice.
Last I checked this was a democracy….hmmm innocent until proven guilty. I wonder if some of you were called to jury duty if you could put aside the…..just a thought.
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In law, a man is always innocent until proven guilty. It is a disgrace that this website has tried, convicted and sentenced this man in the courtroom of perverted opinion without a hearing.
Anonymity is no excuse for bringing distorted facts and uncorroborated ‘evidence’.