Magistrate asks for more time to consider evidence in Machel case

Soca superstar Machel Montano along with entertainers Joel “Zan” Fezeck; songwriter and producer Kernel Roberts; and Rodney “Benjai” Le Blanc have been involved for the past five years in a court matter. Unfortunately, they will have to wait a further two months for its completion. The four reappeared before Magistrate Maureen Baboolal-Gafoor in the Port-of-Spain Seventh Court yesterday, expecting a judgement in the matter.

Instead, the magistrate told the entertainers, their supporters who packed the courtroom, state and defence attorneys that she needed more time to consider the evidence. The quartet last appeared on May 6, when Baboolal indicated she would need three months to review the evidence and would deliver a decision on September 14.

Montano, the 2012 Road March champ, Power Soca Monarch and Groovy Soca Monarch, is jointly charged with fellow artistes Fezeck, Roberts and Le Blanc of assaulting Russell Pollonais and Brandis Brown. Montano, 37, also faces additional charges of assaulting Janelle Lee Chee and Gerard Bowrin, and using obscene language. The charges stem from a fracas outside the nightclub at Keate Street, Port-of-Spain, on April 26, 2007.

The trial began in 2008, but it will not be until late November that the four will know their fate. Calling the matter at 10:01 am yesterday, Baboolal-Gafoor apologised for not delivering the judgement  as she was still “obviously carefully considering all the evidence.” Before adjourning the matter, the magistrate consulted defence attorneys Dana Seetahal, SC; Rajiv Persad and Keith Scotland, as well as prosecutor, George Busby to ensure that November 23 was convenient. After the attorneys consulted with their clients who remained seated in the prisoner’s dock, the matter was adjourned to November 23 at 10 am.