Ben Freeman Rape Trial: A Question Of Procedure

Submitted by BWWR

Anesta Weekes QC

I see that Keltruth and BFP had commented lavishly on the Ben Freeman case in Barbados, attempting to link it to that of Kingsland and Madge Knox. Naturally, they also object to the praise heaped on Barbados’ judicial system by Mr. Freeman’s Queen’s Counsel Anesta Weekes Q.C.  We see from this that Miss. Weekes is not only a lawyer trained in West Indian law, but is also a lecturer to West Indian lawyers. Her credits are most impressive – this is a black woman who not only reads, but who counts big time. Before they raised questions of her right of audience before the Barbados courts, both Keltruth and BFP could simply have gone online and established the calibre of lawyer they were dealing with. Her interview is most revealing of the type of person she is – one whom Caribbean youth would do well to emulate. That she is from the Caribbean ought to be celebrated, not denigrated.

The main thrust of their complaint is about transcripts and they complain that they have not received (in CIVIL cases) as did counsel for Mr Freeman, Miss Weekes Q.C. (in a CRIMINAL case). I would like to assist here so that anyone reading Keltruth or BFP knows what they are dealing with. First of all in the case of Mr. Freeman, it is a CRIMINAL case. This is tried by a judge and jury in open court and, since custodial or capital sentences may be imposed, all the proceedings of the court are required to be recorded by a court reporter.

In the case of Mental Madge Knox, this is CIVIL. All counsel, including Alair “Lilli Marlene” Shepherd, will have agreed on behalf of their clients (including Mental Madge Knox) that the case be tried on affidavit evidence in chambers, where one relies on the judge’s notes.The method of conduct of the civil case is a matter for agreement between counsel (all counsel) and the judge. Therefore Lilli M must have agreed to this and therefore Mental Madge agreed to it and for Keltruth (Kathy Davis nee Knox) and BFP (Jane Goddard nee Knox) now to complain, is fraudulent. But what else is new with those two.

In the case about to come to bar in January in which Mental Madge is sued for fraud by Colin Deane’s estate and Iain Deane, this is by writ of summons and there will be examinations and cross-examinations of witnesses, upon which I will do my best to secure reports for the BU family.

Keltruth has however given an intimation of what Mental Madge/Lilli M propose to do when the fraud case comes to bar. I think that they are trying to set the basis for an application to have K. William “Goat” McKenzie lead the case instead of Lilli Marlene and, if refused, give them something to blog about and file in an affidavit (along with the comments of bloggers) to the Ontario courts. THESE PEOPLE ARE DESPERATE. Mostly, they are hoping that K. William will be allowed to show the Barbados judges what for with his vastly superior intellect as demonstrated on BU in many documents, not least the affidavits and exhibits of “Professor” John Knox. However, they have a hurdle to get over. That hurdle is that the Barbados courts are likely to refuse to give the Goat audience on the basis that he is not a lawyer qualified and licensed to practice Barbados law. Now, before Mental Madge starts screaming “FOWL” (in remembrance of the days when she had staff supplied her from Kingsland to look after her fowls), let me point out that if Lilli Marlene or any other Bajan lawyer who is NOT a member of the Law Society of Upper Canada, tried to appear in a case before the Canadian courts, they would be refused because in Canada they are not lawyers qulified and licensed to practice Canadian law.

So, we can expect Lilli Marlene to waste a lot of time trying to get the court to give audience to the Goat when the fraud action against Mental Madge comes on for hearing starting January 21.

We learn from Keltruth that Mental Madge has finally been forced to have her action against the Kingsland directors for oppression heard and this hearing is now in progress and, as a Barbados resident, I will respect the sub judice rules and not comment on the merits of the case – other than to say that one of Mental Madge’s principal affiants in none other than Almighty Peter Allard. One wonders if Keltruth will provide us with a copy of the judgment when it is handed down. If they do not, I will. You see, it will be public domain then and not sub judice and I want the BU family to have access to it, because hell will freeze over before the Nation, the Advocate or VOB take their collective head out from the crab hole down Cattlewash. As Barbados becomes the home of more and more clones of Peter Allard and his ilk, it is necessary to inform ourselves on the tactics these people use to try to deny our sovreignty, call our laws into question and generally to dump on our country when we will not roll over and play dead.

As Pat has said, this case is far more serious than meets the eye. Many people see it as a joke – admittedly in bad taste and way over-long in the telling. However, if you add it all up, it is an attempt to bring Barbados into international disrepute so as to negatively affect the off-shore investment and tourism sectors. It is, in brief, an attempt to hold Barbados to ransom over a swamp. It is treason (by Mental Madge and the Knoxettes) on a grand scale. BUT, no violence – instead, laugh it off. Laugh loud and long, preferably so Mental Madge and the Knoxettes can hear you.