By Aaron Humes: The rape trial in the High Court of Orson Elrington has hit a snag.
The 43-year-old attorney, accused of raping a woman under the influence in January 2023, and his defense want an open court trial, but the Crown is pushing for a closed-door hearing. The trial, which was set to start this morning, was adjourned until 3 this afternoon to allow Justice Nigel Pilgrim to hear oral submissions on the matter.
Elrington, represented by his cousin Alifah Elrington and uncle Wilfred “Sedi” Elrington, denies the allegations. The prosecution, led by Director of Public Prosecutions Cheryl Lynn Vidal, opposes an open-court trial, citing the sensitive nature of the case.
The DPP argued that publicity would make the virtual complainant, “a vulnerable witness,” less inclined to testify; impact her private life and that of others and affect the quality of evidence provided in the case and if the trial was kept open, the complainant would be subject to the same ‘hounding’ the defense claims the defendant has received; the defendant is no more an irregular defendant than anyone else the Crown prosecutes.
The defense argues that the public should have all available information to it since the defendant has been “hounded” at media appearances throughout the case and is considered a public and political figure due to his profession. Anonymity could be kept, they argued, if the accuser testifies virtually or through a back door. But they pointed out that no evidence of trauma or harassment has been presented to the court.
Generally, the press has respected in camera testimony of accusers of rape, sexual assault and child rape by maintaining their anonymity in reporting even through the verdict and sentencing.
The alleged victim claims Elrington raped her after meeting him at a nightclub and visiting his home. If convicted, Elrington faces serious penalties. The trial is expected to resume on Friday at 9 a.m., with the DPP directed to file by midday Thursday, February 26, a statement from the complainant with her views on the matter, and why the court should exercise its discretion to provide protections under the Constitution, with oral arguments to follow at two in the afternoon that day.
The post Court deliberates on closure of rape trial of Orson Elrington appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
By Aaron Humes: The rape trial in the High Court of Orson Elrington has hit a snag. The 43-year-old attorney, accused of raping a woman under the influence in January 2023, and his defense want an open court trial, but the Crown is pushing for a closed-door hearing. The trial, which was set to start
The post Court deliberates on closure of rape trial of Orson Elrington appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
