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Dorothy's Testimony May Create Problems
Published: Sunday | March 13, 20110
Gary Spaulding, Senior Reporter
EVEN when Dorothy Lightbourne's battle with K.D. Knight ends, the attorney general could be faced with deeper and protracted relational problems with some senior public servants. Some of the justice minister's remarks during cross-examination have highlighted the likelihood of strained relationships with her staff in the offices of the director of public prosecutions (DPP) in the future.
Only Lackston Robinson, the deputy solicitor general, described as the DPP's point man in the extradition matters, seems to be singing the same tune as Lightbourne.
A series of discordant notes has been hit with Douglas Leys, the solicitor general; deputy DPPs Lisa Palmer Hamilton and Jeremy Taylor; as well as Lieutenant Colonel Patrick Cole from the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF).
Lightbourne has charged that Cole was among several unauthorised persons to whom the extradition request had been leaked before it reached the hands of the authorised government officials.
Challenged claims
The justice minister challenged claims by Leys that she had given him permission to invite Kevin di Gregory of Manatt, Phelps & Phillips to a meeting at the United States Justice Department in Washington in September 2009.
The attorney general also contended that Cole of the JDF, and Palmer Hamilton, the acting director in the DPP's office in August 2009, were less than truthful in their testimonies to the commission.
Both public servants challenged Lightbourne's claim that Cole spoke with her after the extradition request was leaked to the media.
In response to Knight's queries about what would be their motive for lying, Lightbourne charged that she snubbed Cole when he urged her to fast-track the process, saying the existing processes had to be duly observed.
Lightbourne also took a swipe at Palmer Hamilton for failing to recall many incidents.
The justice minister also rejected claims by Leys that she had given him the green light to invite Kevin di Gregory of the US law firm Manatt, Phelps & Phillips to a meeting at the US Justice Department in Washington.
Manatt engaged
Manatt was engaged to help the Government, or the Jamaica Labour Party, out of its diplomatic predicament after Lightbourne refused to sign the extradition request.
Lightbourne maintained that even in her influential positions in the Jamaica Labour Party and the Government, and close relationships with Prime Minister Golding, influential lawyer, Harold Brady, Dwight Nelson and Dr Ronald Robinson (colleagues in the Senate), she was not aware of the existence of Manatt, Phelps & Phillips.
Knight had grilled Lightbourne on her treatment of the extradition request for accused drug lord Christopher 'Dudus' Coke in comparison to that of another fugitive, Norris 'Dido' Nembhard.
Lightbourne has maintained that she initially refused to sign the extradition request for Coke because his constitutional rights were being breached.
Published: Sunday | March 13, 20110
Gary Spaulding, Senior Reporter
EVEN when Dorothy Lightbourne's battle with K.D. Knight ends, the attorney general could be faced with deeper and protracted relational problems with some senior public servants. Some of the justice minister's remarks during cross-examination have highlighted the likelihood of strained relationships with her staff in the offices of the director of public prosecutions (DPP) in the future.
Only Lackston Robinson, the deputy solicitor general, described as the DPP's point man in the extradition matters, seems to be singing the same tune as Lightbourne.
A series of discordant notes has been hit with Douglas Leys, the solicitor general; deputy DPPs Lisa Palmer Hamilton and Jeremy Taylor; as well as Lieutenant Colonel Patrick Cole from the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF).
Lightbourne has charged that Cole was among several unauthorised persons to whom the extradition request had been leaked before it reached the hands of the authorised government officials.
Challenged claims
The justice minister challenged claims by Leys that she had given him permission to invite Kevin di Gregory of Manatt, Phelps & Phillips to a meeting at the United States Justice Department in Washington in September 2009.
The attorney general also contended that Cole of the JDF, and Palmer Hamilton, the acting director in the DPP's office in August 2009, were less than truthful in their testimonies to the commission.
Both public servants challenged Lightbourne's claim that Cole spoke with her after the extradition request was leaked to the media.
In response to Knight's queries about what would be their motive for lying, Lightbourne charged that she snubbed Cole when he urged her to fast-track the process, saying the existing processes had to be duly observed.
Lightbourne also took a swipe at Palmer Hamilton for failing to recall many incidents.
The justice minister also rejected claims by Leys that she had given him the green light to invite Kevin di Gregory of the US law firm Manatt, Phelps & Phillips to a meeting at the US Justice Department in Washington.
Manatt engaged
Manatt was engaged to help the Government, or the Jamaica Labour Party, out of its diplomatic predicament after Lightbourne refused to sign the extradition request.
Lightbourne maintained that even in her influential positions in the Jamaica Labour Party and the Government, and close relationships with Prime Minister Golding, influential lawyer, Harold Brady, Dwight Nelson and Dr Ronald Robinson (colleagues in the Senate), she was not aware of the existence of Manatt, Phelps & Phillips.
Knight had grilled Lightbourne on her treatment of the extradition request for accused drug lord Christopher 'Dudus' Coke in comparison to that of another fugitive, Norris 'Dido' Nembhard.
Lightbourne has maintained that she initially refused to sign the extradition request for Coke because his constitutional rights were being breached.
