Latchman ‘tempers justice with mercy’, warns Azruddin that bail will be withdrawn if lateness repeats

Magistrate Judy Latchman on Monday said she would “temper justice with mercy” as she allowed Azruddin Mohamed to remain on bail, but warned that any further lateness would result in its immediate withdrawal.

The matter was recalled before Magistrate Latchman after a bail application had been made earlier in the morning before acting Chief Magistrate Faith McGusty, who stood the proceedings down and directed that contact be made with Magistrate Latchman, the judicial officer who had issued the arrest warrant.

Mohamed, who is the Leader of the Opposition, had been taken into custody and brought to court in handcuffs after the warrant was issued when his extradition matter was called and he was absent.

When the case was called before Magistrate Latchman, she asked Mohamed directly why he had been tardy.

“I am sorry I arrived late, but I have reasons and can prove why I was late,” Mohamed told the court.

He explained that his driver, who resides in Providence, woke up to discover that two tyres on the vehicle were damaged.

Mohamed added that none of his other vehicles were insured, suggesting that alternative transportation was not readily available.

The Magistrate reminded him that he had been late before and had previously been warned about his punctuality.

“Under this court’s watch, the wheels of justice will continue to turn in a timely manner,” Magistrate Latchman said. She indicated that she was inclined to escheat his bail and remand him to prison to guarantee his attendance at the next hearing.

“I will not tolerate excuses,” she added, before asking what guarantee the court had that the situation would not recur.

Attorney Dhurjon responded that he would personally ensure Mohamed’s punctual attendance going forward.

Prosecutor Terrence Williams reminded the court that earlier explanations for Mohamed’s absence had cited ill health, and questioned how the reasoning had now shifted to vehicle issues. He suggested that Mohamed appeared to be on an agenda to delay the proceedings.

Magistrate Latchman cautioned Mohamed not to let the situation happen again and made it clear that next time, bail would be withdrawn.

While expressing her displeasure, she ultimately declined to remand him, stating that she would temper justice with mercy on this occasion.