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THE Court of Appeal has granted a stay of execution on a $250,000 defamation judgment awarded to activist Inshan Ishmael against four-time Calypso Monarch Weston “Cro Crow” Rawlins, pending the outcome of the calypsonian’s appeal.

The stay was granted by Justice of Appeal Geoffrey Henderson, who found that the case raised issues of public importance and warranted appellate review, particularly concerning the boundaries between freedom of artistic expression and defamation law.

In January 2024, High Court judge Frank Seepersad ruled in Ishmael’s favour, finding that lyrics from a calypso performed by Rawlins at a national calypso competition and remarks made during a radio interview were defamatory. The court awarded $250,000 in general damages and $35,000 in exemplary damages to Ishmael. Rawlins appealed the ruling and later applied for a stay of the judgment.