MAGISTRATE Anna Ryan has warned members of the media to “exercise restraint” in their “reporting and commenting” on the robbery matter currently before the court involving two employees of the Caribbean Communications Network (CCN).
Ryan gave the order yesterday after attorney Darril Giles expressed concern about “adverse comments” made by comedienne Rachel Price on radio station WEFM 96.1 about Express reporter Akile Simon and TV6 cameraman Brendon Alexander.
Simon and Alexander along with security officer Marlie Charles and taxi-driver Randy Borris are all charged with robbing the owner of K&A Liquor Mart of over $300,000 on May 20.
The four accused appeared yesterday before Ryan at the Arima First Magistrate’s Court in their second court appearance.
Giles, the attorney representing Alexander, yesterday expressed shock at some of the comments being made by Price and being broadcast on radio.
“As far as I know they are only charged and they have not yet been convicted,” Giles said yesterday.
Ryan agreed with Giles and urged members of the media to exercise restraint so as to avoid any negative pretrial publicity which may affect the outcome of the court matter.
The four accused first appeared in court last Thursday and returned yesterday to make an application for bail.
Simon has retained Senior Counsel Dana Seetahal and John Heath as his attorneys.
Seetahal was, however, unavoidably absent yesterday as she participated in the jury selection in the sedition trial of Imam Yasin Abu Bakr. Heath yesterday asked Ryan to adjourn the matter to today when Seetahal will make the bail application on behalf of Simon.
Ryan agreed and the four accused are scheduled to return to court today.
Apart from the police investigating the matter involving the four men, it was yesterday revealed that “other arms of the State” are also investigating the men.
The Financial Investigation Unit and the Cyber Crime Unit have already begun investigations, the court heard yesterday.
Notice of the Cyber Crime Unit’s involvement came to the fore yesterday after Alexander expressed concern that two video cameras, with “intimate images” of his girlfriend and himself, were taken from his home.
Some of the images have already appeared on the internet, Alexander said through Giles.
The officer who laid the charges, acting Sgt Carl Hosten yesterday submitted into evidence the TT$185,807, US$28,067 and nine bottles of Johnnie Walker Black Scotch Whisky valued at $2,700 which was allegedly taken from K&A Liquor Mart two Sundays ago.
Attorney Criston J Williams appeared for Anderson Levia, the owner of K&A Liquor Mart, and asked for the money and the liquor to be returned to his client who has “creditors”.
Questions were, however, raised about an additional $24,700 which was found on May 23 inside the grey Toyota Hilux belonging to CCN which was allegedly used in the robbery.
Hosten requested that the cash be retained and form additional evidence.
Alexander, however, has claimed that he has receipts to show the money is his.
He has also requested the return of his driver’s permit and bank card to his family.
“If he does not get back his bank card how can he access money to pay his attorney,” Giles said to laughter in the court.
The four men are all scheduled to return to court today.
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