A criminal trial at the Hall of Justice, Port-of-Spain, came to an abrupt end yesterday after the trial judge collapsed in court. A 12-member jury had only just returned for the resumption of the trial in the Port-of-Spain First Criminal Court when Justice Anthony Carmona collapsed. One witness, who wished to remain anonymous, described the judge's sudden illness as similar to an epileptic fit.
Up to late yesterday, Carmona was said to be resting comfortably at a medical institution. The nature of his illness was not revealed.
In a brief phone interview yesterday, Jones P Madeira, court protocol and information manager, said it was a scare but the judge was recovering well. "I just spoke to him. He's in fine spirits," Madeira added. "He's doing fine." Madeira said as a precautionary measure doctors had decided to keep the judge overnight for observation.
Carmona had recalled the jury in the trial against Faizool Ramzan when he collapsed shortly before 10 am yesterday. The jury was ushered away and the court was cleared as staff attended to the fallen judge.
In the court at the time were state attorneys Kathy Ann Waterman-Latchoo and Lee Merry, as well as defence lawyer Ulric Skerritt, who were shocked at what they had witnessed. Court marshals and police officers ran to assist Carmona and wheeled him to the basement where an ambulance took him to hospital. Justice Carla Brown-Antoine later adjourned the trial.