When political and social activist Luzette King returns to the Serious Offences Court on April 27, there could be a sharp twist in the proceedings.
On King’s return to that Court on Monday, March 29, attorney Ronnia Durham-Balcome, one of the lawyers representing King who is facing Immigration and Customs relate charges, disclosed that the defence is expected to make an application before the Court.
Balcome did not say what the application was but we were reliably informed that the defence is expected to ask Chief Magistrate Rechanne Browne to recuse herself from hearing the matter.
The case was called on Monday, but Balcome informed the Court that attorney Kay Bacchus-Baptiste, another member of the defence team, was engaged in the High Court, before Justice Brian Cottle, and would be there for a few days.
As a result, the matter was adjourned to April 27.
The other members of the defence team are Mai Eustace and Guevera Leacock.
King is charged with entering the state by air on January 30 and not presenting herself in person to the nearest immigration officer.
She is also charged with, upon arrival on January 30 at the Argyle International Airport (AIA) in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, prevented the carrying out of a search for anything that is liable to be forfeited, detained, seized or removed, by not presenting herself to the Customs officer on duty at the Airport.
King is additionally charged with upon arrival at the Airport in St. Vincent and the Grenadines on January 30, failed to declare anything contained in her baggage, or anything carried on her or produce her baggage for examination by the Customs Officer on duty at the Airport.
King has pleaded not guilty to all three charges.
She made her original Court appearance during a virtual hearing before the Chief Magistrate earlier this year.