QC Nelson’s day in court

JAMAICAN-born British Queen’s Counsel Vincent Nelson’s case is expected to be called this afternoon in the High Court.

Newsday understands the first plea agreement hearing is expected today.

The formal charging documents, which includes Nelson’s plea agreement with the prosecution and his witness statement, were filed in the High Court two weeks ago.

Nelson is expected to formally plead guilty to his role in an alleged conspiracy with former attorney general Anand Ramlogan and former UNC senator Gerald Ramdeen in connection with a series of financial transactions and alleged rewards involving legal fees paid to him for representation in state briefs, which he obtained while Ramlogan was attorney general.

It is not certain when he will actually enter his plea as certain steps are to be taken in accordance with the provisions of the provisions of the recently-proclaimed Criminal Procedure (Plea Discussion and Plea Agreement) Act, before this takes place.

This includes the disclosure by the prosecution the substance of and reasons for the agreement and before accepting it, the judge has to ensure an accused was not induced to enter the agreement and knows of the consequences of it.

The judge also has to ensure that the agreement is justifiable.

Nelson appeared in the Port of Spain Magistrates’ Court two Thursdays ago on the three charges of conspiring to commit money laundering, misbehaviour in public office and conspiracy to commit an act of corruption.

At that hearing, DPP Roger Gaspard, SC, asked that the matter be transferred to the High Court in accordance with the plea agreement legislation.

Nelson is on $100,000 cash bail and has been allowed to leave the country until he is needed for his next court hearing.