The Tribune

By LAMECH JOHNSON

Tribune Staff Reporter

ljohnson@tribunemedia.net

TWO lawyers found themselves before a magistrate yesterday refuting allegations that they intimidated witnesses from giving evidence at trial.

What was to be an early afternoon arraignment for Tai Pinder and Michael Kemp on charges of conspiracy to commit obstruction and obstruction of justice led to a late release of the pair on $7,500 bail, amid claims that the proceedings were nothing more than an attack against criminal lawyers for an unknown purpose.

Kemp, 59, went further to assert that his life was in danger should he reveal the names of Central Detective Unit officers who had allegedly verbally assaulted his colleague, Pinder, after she denied knowing something a police woman had asked of her. He also claimed to have knowledge of police officers who were allegedly accepting bribes to release suspects.

Pinder, 34, was first arraigned with Rosalee Lightford, 77, before Chief Magistrate Joyann Ferguson-Pratt.

It is alleged that Pinder abetted “the obstruction of justice” when she, on June 20, 2015, purposely aided the intimidation of Rashad Rogers and Mario Bain for the purpose of coercing them into not testifying in a criminal trial.

She is accused of abetting Lightford, who was charged with conspiracy and obstruction concerning the two witnesses.

Lightford’s son, 53-year-old Charles Larrimore, was charged with aggravated assault and obstruction. It is claimed that he attacked and obstructed Cpl 2422 Ward yesterday while the officer was attempting to carry out his duties.

All three pleaded not guilty to the allegations and were granted $7,500 bail with no objection from police prosecutor ASP Clifford Daxon.

Pinder and Kemp were also charged with conspiracy to commit obstruction and obstruction of justice for another matter.

It is alleged that they, on August 22 of this year, intimidated Davon Bethel from giving evidence in a criminal case.

Both pleaded “unequivocally not guilty” to the charges.

“It is unfortunate that in my knowing them as defenders, I must deal with them as defendants. They’ve both entered a not guilty plea and they are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty,” the chief magistrate noted. She also granted each of them $7,500 bail in this matter.

Kemp proceeded to raise “grave concerns” with the court. He said he was not surprised by the proceedings, as he had been called into CDU on prior occasions. He noted, however, that he went into custody with an empty jacket pocket and later found shoelaces in that pocket.

He claimed that an officer asked him if he had a relative that died in prison recently.

The attorney said the other disturbing issue was his latest return to CDU where he met Pinder.

“A team of senior officers asked Ms Pinder if she knew a lady named Qutell Rahming. Ms Pinder would’ve replied that she did not and a senior officer said, remember that word Qutell Rahming. They called Ms Pinder a b,” Kemp said, insisting that Lightford could speak to this.

“The worst part is that I have no protection,” Kemp added, explaining that CDU was seeking information from him on other police officers allegedly taking bribes to release suspects in custody.

The judge asked who these persons were.

“Ma’am, until you can guarantee me my life won’t be endangered, I won’t give the name. Or you could give me a handgun licence,” Kemp said.

“I don’t want to be involved in nothing,” Lightford said when given the opportunity to speak.

Wayne Munroe, QC, and lawyer for both attorneys said this matter was something to be seriously looked into by the Bar Council. The chief magistrate agreed.

She adjourned the case to November 23 for a status hearing.

Larrimore and Lightford were represented by Philip Hilton.

Murrio Ducille and Tonique Lewis also appeared for Kemp and Pinder in yesterday’s proceedings.