The speedy trial and deportation of Joylin Ross has left too many unanswered questions. One cannot ignore the facts and assumptions of this case. I’m sure that some of the players involved are feeling glee and breathing a sigh of relief at this moment while the lady and her Nevisian-born daughter are back in Guyana. Okay, the lady was found guilty of taking a cell phone into the polling station on election day and that was an illegal act. Did she take a photo of her vote? If she did, that would also have been illegal. The court could not prove that and therefore that charge was dismissed. The charge of taking a cell phone into the polling station could have been laid against many of us who inadvertently or otherwise, committed the identical infraction. No serious noise has been made on that issue and no questions have been asked about that fact. My article last week on this subject brought chastisement from a friend who said to me, “If you know the facts surrounding that woman you would not write in the paper”. Well, I tried. The photograph allegedly taken By the lady as proof of whom she voted for was By accident or otherwise, not saved or was deleted. Now here is where the story gets interesting. The charge against Ms. Ross was dropped, no evidence that she took a picture existed. Strange? Not really. If we follow the happenings around this place, the question of honesty generally leaves amazing impressions. Was someone ordered By one in authority to delete that picture? Ok, let’s pass on to the punishment for taking the cell phone into the booth. Three thousand dollars ordered to be paid By the convict and to be paid within 6 months. Does the amount seem reasonable for this felony? Not many people griped about that. Then, you know what? The lady was deported within four days of her conviction? What damage control is likely to take place during Ms. Ross’ absence from the island and who will it benefit? When will Ms. Ross be allowed to return to Nevis with her native born daughter? The interest in this case might die but too many effects therewith will be left to tarnish this community and, especially, the alleged players who were involved with the harassment, bribery and threatening of the lady. Ms. Ross’ side of the story must be told. Her testimony can shed light on the culprits we have among us who are bribing, threatening, harassing and intimidating people, especially non-Nevisians. I think it is imperative that we know what transpired, this act is not personal any more and an investigation must be carried out if any sort of confidence and trust is to be placed in our authorities. Is any government minister(s) or any other politician involved with this alleged bribing, harassment and intimidation? Is there any hierarchy that had dealings with the matter? Who is this “party financier” the lady allegedly spoke to after she was arrested and was given the “I not going to jail for any body response”? What were the arrangements and involvement with the premier’s ministry secretary? Why was Ms. Ross here beyond her given time and could now pay her $3,000 fine? Most likely, the questions will come after the lady speaks, where is the proof? Where is the evidence? We do not want proof and we do not need evidence. We simply need to hear Ms. Ross’ story. In the absence of that, a great injustice would have been served and we the people of Nevis might not have any idea who the real criminals among us really are, and that is dangerous.
