By Trevor Thwaites (St. George's correspondent)

ST. GEORGE’S, Grenada: Lawyers representing the three sentenced to lengthy jail terms – Andy Mitchell, Cosmos Richardson and Vincent Joseph for their involvement in the death of former Prime Minister Maurice Bishop, his cabinet colleagues and others in the bloody Coup d’etat here in October 1983, have expressed disappointment with the ruling of the Privy Council. The Privy Council in a judgement Wednesday July 5, 2006 refused the application for leave of the prisoners by the lawyers.

“It is a setback; but they are things to come. The struggle continues,” they told the media during a press conference last week Thursday in St George’s. ‘The matter cannot be taken any further because they have refused us leave,” they comment. Quizzed as to the situation concerning the three, Scotland responded, “I wish to say two things- that the matter involving the 14 to be heard by the Privy Council later in the year also encompasses the three by their scope and by content. They are still caught by any decision affecting the 14,” Scotland replied.

The two lawyers challenged Legal Advisor to the Government Hugh Wildman, who welcomed the ruling of the Privy Council stating that it had agreed with his argument that the men according to the law of the country were expected to spend three consecutive 15 year sentences, since they committed not one but several acts of criminality, when Bishop and others were assinated on Fort George, after the Revolutionary Military Council (RMC) seized power.

Scotland and Hood contended that Wildman was in no way involved in the case brought before the Privy Council. “There was never a time when Wildman made a submission or was part of the case in any manner. No reason was given by the Privy Council for refusing the application of leave,” Scotland said, adding that “learned Queens Council Karl Hudson Phillip represented the state at all stages”. However, it has been confirmed by the ministry of legal affairs, that it was the submission of Wildman that prevented the men from being released and subsequently brought before the Privy Council.

Many clearly remember the debate four years ago, when Wildman and Scotland appeared on National Radio and Television. Scotland argued that the men had committed one act of criminality, while Wildman countered that they had committed several acts of criminalities and that the ruling of three 15 year sentences by the trial judge was quite appropriate in keeping with the laws of the country.

Richardson, Mitchell and Joseph, should be released in December, but the lawyers are contending that they should have been released in February of this year. Scotland said that the decision has to be viewed in the context of the fact that the 14 applicants on the hill have a substantive matter, which is before the Privy Council as a matter of leave has leave already granted. “That matter will be heard later in the year.” They are seeking the freedom of the 17, who have been given life imprisonment for the execution of Bishop and others.



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