‘We are not breaking ranks’

TWO defence lawyers representing murder accused Andre Ruddock appeared in court on Monday as his trial continued, despite colleagues maintaining a pledge to withdraw legal services from all criminal matters islandwide in pursuit of amendments to the Firearms Prohibition Restriction and Regulation Act 2022.

But according to attorney Anthony Williams, he and fellow counsel Venice Brown did not break ranks with their colleagues. Instead they had a duty to their client which had to be fulfilled.

“We want to make it very clear that we are not breaking ranks with our colleagues. Myself and Miss Brown are 150 per cent in support of our colleagues. However, there is a difference — the Jamaica Bar Association knows about it and they also sanctioned it. The difference is that when you are in a part-heard matter you can’t just go and strike like that. You have to seek the permission of your client in writing,” Williams told the Jamaica Observer.