NOT that it commands attention, far from it, there are far more important matters to attend to, but I shall for academic purposes, deal with that rape allegation brought against the Commissioner of Police. I was in a downtown restaurant when a heated conversation erupted after the words came from the gentleman across my table “so you don’t believe de Commissioner rape de woman e rape de woman man” to which I responded, “if it can be proven” and that means in a court of law. This is my problem with any matter in Guyana today. Depending on who you talk to, that is, whichever side of the political fence you come from, conclusions are arrived at from that narrow, jaundiced view. Of course the other discussant accused me first of being a PPP/C “soup drinker,” but this is beside the point.
The situation before us is a 34-year-old woman finally, after great reluctance coming forward to accuse the Commissioner of Police of rape. Her story which runs like a soap opera states that she went to Eve Leary seeking the Commissioner’s help in “a matter” wherein he took the opportunity to lure her into a city hotel and raped her. According to her story, after nearly a month of trauma, she has finally gathered enough courage now to bring the matter to court. The Commissioner for his part forthrightly said that this was a consensual, extra-marital affair he was having with this woman for some time now, and not rape.
Before I even consider this, let us examine the episode to ascertain whether the account coming from the lips of the alleged rape victim or that of the alleged accused is believable and the evidence worthy of litigation. Firstly, why wasn’t this matter reported soon after it took place, that is to the police or to a medical practitioner?
This is critical evidence for any court. You are not talking about a minor here but a 34 year old who has been around the block, God knows how many times. Let us for argument sake say she was indeed threatened with a gun. Why she did not report the ordeal when she stepped out of the intimidating presence of the Commissioner? These are pointed questions a defence lawyer would want to source answers from in court, and I dare say would have a field day with this alleged victim. If answers are not forthcoming then everything by way of circumstantial evidence such as a medical report, time and date, should be thrown out. I mean a medical report especially coming from one of those PNC-backed doctors. Or is it the manner of his sexual encounter with her? So it comes back to the question: is this case worthy of litigation? I can say this case is heavily tainted with politics and should be struck off the moment it is called.
Meantime the Commissioner is getting some well-earned rest.