A tense scene unfolded at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court on Monday afternoon during the ongoing 2020 elections fraud trial, after one of the accused, Carol Smith-Joseph, rose and interrupted proceedings, claiming she was being verbally harassed by individuals in the courtroom.
The incident occurred after the prosecution brought in a group of individuals as potential witnesses. When presiding Magistrate Faith McGusty questioned them, however, they indicated they were not witnesses but observers and were permitted to remain seated.
Shortly after proceedings resumed following the lunch break, Smith-Joseph stood and addressed the magistrate directly. “Ma’am I am being harassed in court…and they don’t know who is me. I don’t play,” she said, alleging that two of the persons present had been verbally harassing her.
Magistrate McGusty issued a warning and instructed court officers to remove the individuals identified by Smith-Joseph. The magistrate also reminded all present that charges exist for misconduct within the precincts of the court. “I am one of the magistrates who has never been shy to read those charges,” she warned.
Meanwhile, witness Bibi Aneishaw Mohamed remains on the stand, having completed her evidence in chief and currently undergoing cross-examination by defence attorneys.
Nine individuals are before the court charged with conspiring to manipulate the results of the March 2020 General and Regional Elections in favour of the APNU+AFC coalition, allegedly to deny victory to the PPP/C. Among those charged are former government minister Volda Lawrence, former Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield, former Region Four Returning Officer Clairmont Mingo and former Deputy Chief Elections Officer Roxanne Myers.
The controversy surrounding the March 2020 elections delayed the declaration of results for five months, until PPP/C candidate Irfaan Ali was sworn in as President on August 2, 2020. The trial continues on Tuesday.
