I WAS sitting in Justice Winston Patterson’s court this morning when Mr. Basil Williams, presidential hopeful asked to address the court.
Mr. Williams proceeded to ask that his client, who he claims has been in prison since 2004, be called up for trial today or placed on bail. Mr. Williams, without stopping there, then proceeded to give a campaign address from the bar table to the entire courtroom filled with prospective jurors.

During his tantrum, punctuated by repeated slapping of his hands on his chest, he ridiculed the DPP Chambers, and personally attacked the prosecutor who was present in court, calling her a ‘liar’, because he said the State had given an undertaking to try his client’s case.

The prosecutor said that there was no such undertaking and after allowing this ranting by Mr. Williams for almost one and a half hours, the judge then confirmed there was no such undertaking and refused bail, rendering Mr. Williams’ ranting a complete waste of everybody’s time.

During his ranting to the jurors, Mr. Williams talked about everything concerning his client’s upcoming case which he wanted to be heard by the same jurors present in the courtroom.

To say that I was appalled and shocked by Mr. Williams’ behaviour is an understatement. Not only is he a lawyer with experience at the bar, but he is also a presidential hopeful.

He was most disrespectful to the judge, to the prosecutor, and to every prospective juror and, at the end, all his ranting was detrimental to his client’s interest. He ought to have been reined in by the judge five minutes after he started, but instead the judge allowed him to do his politicking from the bar table.

Not only am I disappointed by Mr. Williams’ conduct, but more so, at the judge’s lack of action and control of his courtroom.
Where are we headed!?