In the Press

Op-Eds

Musings on topical issues related to various arms of the law, the legal practice and legislation, published in the local newspapers.

 

May 03, 2023 | Express Newspaper

Can the CoP grant a licence for prohibited weapons?

February 15, 2022 | Newsday Newspaper

Sentencing Disparity Between Ill-Treating and Killing Animals

November 18, 2020 | Express Newspaper

Covid-19 in custody

October 20, 2020 | Newsday Newspaper

Distressing truth of the Criminal Justice System

June 14, 2020 | Newsday Newspaper

Making a case for reviewing criminal charges

October 21, 2018 | Newsday Newspaper

Justice must also be seen to be done

July 31, 2018 | Trinidad Express

Outreach Programme Could Put Pressure on Defendants

September 7, 2017 | Trinidad Express

The Pathologist in the Spotlight

July 26, 2016 | Trinidad Guardian

‘Lowering the river’ in criminal law

September 7, 2016 | Trinidad Express

The levees are broken

Press Mentions

Selection of mentions in the printed press from criminal and civil litigation proceedings, spanning Brent’s tenure as a public prosecutor, and now Attorney-at-Law in private practice.


March 3, 2021

Another Attorney taken to Court for owing Client

In the latest action, in which a default judgment has been applied for, since the attorney has filed no defence, a New York-based widow is seeking repayment of $140,000 from the Port of Spain-based attorney..

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January 30, 2019

Farmer freed of 2017 murder

“Izer Scott, also known as Isaac, Isiah and Cat, was discharged after Earle-Caddle upheld the no-case submission of defence attorney Brent Winter.”

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March 28, 2014

Man to hang for killing boy

“Ronald Bisnath remained expressionless as Justice Devan Rampersad told him he will be taken to a lawful place of execution where he will suffer death by hanging.”

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May 30, 2013

3 million fraud case…State resists handing over seized $$ to FCB

“Prosecutors in a case involving over $3 million allegedly stolen by fraud are resisting the banks request for the money to be handed over to it for safe keeping.”

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March 24, 2012

Judge sends message to man guilty of chopping off friends thumb - 30 months in jail for cutlass attack

“Edwards said Dumont launched an attack which severed his left thumb. He was also chopped on his head and other parts of his body as he tried to retrieve his thumb, which Dumont kept pushing out of his reach with the use of the cutlass.”

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November 25, 2010

Diego man freed of murder, principal witness is dead

“Brooks tipped his hat to Winter and the DPP’s office as he agreed that, “The stand taken by the prosecutor is a principled one, and well founded on law.”

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November 19, 2009

Man found guilty of buggering eight year old boy

“Azard Ali is expected to be sentenced tomorrow by Justice Gillian Lucky in the San Fernando Third Assize Court. Evidence as led by State attorney Brent Winter is that the crime was committed on two occasions in 2001 at Fyzabad.”

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May 25, 2009

‘Licensing Officers can’t charge motorists for breaching traffic laws’

“He made the statement in dismissing an appeal filed by the State against Magistrate Jo-Anne Connor, who had been charged with driving carelessly and inconsiderately failed to comply with a road sign and failing to keep left when overtaking.”

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December 6, 2008

Father of 4 gets 8 years for ganja

“A father of four was sentenced to eight years in jail with hard labour yesterday after he was found guilty of trafficking 41 kilogrammes of marijuana.”

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April 12, 2008

Undercover agent freed 10 years after charge

“Looking at the emotional informant, Justice Charles remarked: “This is a very sad day. Mr Winter do you think that the Attorney General would consider compensation for (name called)? One would expect so in the these circumstances. This is a blow to the administration of justice.””

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March 8, 2008

Pensioner gets 7 years for cocaine possession

“Volney also congratulated State prosecutors Kathy-Ann Waterman Latchoo and Brent Winter on a job well done.”

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February 3, 2020

Lawyer withholds $ from client... Given ultimatum to repay $100,000 or serve 60 days jail

“We really just want the fruits of our judgement and no more,” Winter said, as he claimed his client chose not to apply to the Law Association to have her practising certificate suspended until the issue is resolved. 

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January 27, 2019

He never prosecuted anyone

“Brent Winter said he commended the enhancing of the police prosecution skill-set, but the concept of a police prosecutor to him is not an optimal arrangement…”

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November 26, 2013

Evidence faked so drug accused goes free

“The State was yesterday forced to drop a major drug trafficking case after its main witness, a police officer, was found to have concocted evidence against the accused.”

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June 08, 2012

Trial of assault on homeless man’ I was asleep when attacked’

“A man who once lived under a bridge at Ellerslie Park in Maraval, testified on Tuesday that he saw stars when he was struck several times with a piece of iron five years ago by another man he knew to be also homeless.”

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November 9, 2011

Man kills wife by slashing her throat

“Fareeda Mohammed, at the start of her testimony, was asked by prosecutor Brent Winter to point out her father in the courtroom.”

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October 29, 2010

Convicted of kidnapping, assault, ex-soldier spared jail

“Expressing gratitude to State attorneys Brent Winter and Anju Bhola, Carrington said he remained impressed by the representation of the State during the matter.”

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October 12, 2009

Convicted killer pleads guilty to firearm

“Clarke, who was found guilty on July 31 of manslaughter and sentenced to 30 years hard labour, told Justice Devan Rampersad, after consultation with his attorney Amerelle Francis, that he wished to plead guilty.”

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February 17, 2009

25 years in prison for ex-security guard

“High Court judge Justice Mark Mohammed minced no words in the Sixth Criminal Court yesterday as he sentenced former security guard Lister Jack to 25 years imprisonment.”

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June 17, 2008

Ex-Inspector guilty of ‘Cooking the Books’

“A former police inspector will be sentenced tomorrow after a nine member jury found him guilty of falsifying official accounts.”

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April 4, 2008

Seven years jail for bad deed

“The prosecution’s case led by Brent Winter was that on December 20, 1999, Brewster went to the Port-of-Spain Prison for the purpose of standing bail for a prisoner. He presented to Justice of the Peace Vernon Nelson, a deed for a property that he owned.”

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March 1, 2008

Collapse in court

“Clasping his chest, the accused asked for his “tablets”. Seated in the witness box, he toppled over, bowing to the floor. “You see what you did,” Volney asked a puzzled-looking Winter.”

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December 13, 2019

Attorney seeks start of inquest 8 years later

“Brent Winter wrote to Chief Magistrate Maria Busby Earle-Caddle and copied Police Complaints Authority (PCA) Director David West and Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Roger Gaspard, seeking their intervention.”

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December 19, 2018

Two freed of 2017 Santa Cruz murder

“TWO men were freed of a murder charge when Chief Magistrate Maria Busby Earle-Caddle upheld no-case submissions by their lawyers..”

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October 30, 2013

Brothers sentenced to death for murder of URP foreman

“They were discharged by a magistrate who upheld a no case submission in their preliminary inquiry.”

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May 3, 2012

Guilty of killing pensioner, moving into house - Man sentenced to hang

“Forty-five minutes was all it took for a jury to decide Kevin Borris was guilty of murdering pensioner Anthony Roland, wrapping his body in a sheet, disposing of the body in some bushes behind Roland’s house and then moving his own wife and children into the dead man’s home.”

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July 13, 2011

CNC3’s Georges and Nanton go to court for contempt

“Justice Prakash Moosai gave the order for the subpoenas to be issued yesterday, after prosecutor Brent Winter told the court that the Director of Public Prosecutions, after reviewing the materials regarding a broadcast on the CNC3 news programme relating to the trial of Laventille resident Barry Alphonso, held the view that the broadcast “had crossed the line.””

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April 17, 2010

State pushing for 25-year jail terms

“Notwithstanding how one may personally feel about the stringent sentences prescribed by the Act, it is the duty of our courts not to make law, but to apply the law as passed by Parliament. Unless and until there is some change in the law, the offence of being in possession of a dangerous drug for the purpose of trafficking attracts a minimum pecuniary penalty of $100,000 and a minimum custodial sentence of 25 years,” Winter said.”

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June 1, 2009

UTC defrauded of over $2 million - Con man awaits fate

“Collin Murrell, the man who allegedly defrauded the Unit Trust Corporation (UTC) of $2,355,000, will have to spend another month in prison before he knows his punishment.”

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February 14, 2009

30 years, 15 strokes for rapist

“An Arima man who brutalised and raped a teenager, then threatened to kill her, will spend the next 30 years in jail.”

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May 31, 2008

Fisherman gets 50 years for rape and robbery

“The Court heard that around 5:40 a.m. on January 8, the 27 year old victim was on her way to work in Aranjuez and while walking along Bridge Road, San Juan, was approached by Elwin, who pointed a gun at her and demanded cash and jewelry. Elwin then took the victim through a track across the Priority Bus Route, where he raped her.”

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March 1, 2008

Biche man facing drug charges - Health scare in court

“It was during cross-examination by State attorney Brent Winter that Boodram clutched his chest with a pained expression on his face.”

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July 6, 2007

Man freed of $5m Clico fraud

“During the last two years, the case was called and postponed many times. No evidence was ever taken. State attorney Winter turned up in court and said the evidence did not support the charges and therefore he was not going to proceed with the case. As a result, Magistrate Espinet discharged Charles ending his ten-year ordeal.”

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