Hill appeals 2020 conviction over podcast

| 05/05/2023 | 72 Comments
Sandra Hill on CMR show, Cayman News Service
Sandra Hill on CMR show Tuesday morning

(CNS): Sandra Hill, the host of Cayman Marl Road, is defending herself in the Cayman Islands Court of Appeal against a conviction in 2020 for abusing and harassing on an ICT network in connection with a podcast in which she accused local businessman Matthew Leslie of being a sexual predator. This was the first time that the ICT law was used to prosecute a member of the Cayman media.

Hill was fined $3,000 over the ICT bullying of Leslie. The popular talk show host has now decided to appeal in an effort to clear her name, and this time she is acting on her own behalf without a lawyer.

Hill is arguing that her attorney during the trial was inexperienced and did not follow full instructions. In a case management hearing in the appeal court on Thursday, she said he had struggled with the complexities of the case. She also raised concerns about evidence that was admitted by the judge and about the need for the trial to be conducted by video-link as a result of pandemic rules at the time, which distorted the evidence.

Hill has a long history with the authorities, especially over the naming of sex offenders and other more controversial stories, as well as her approach to journalism. But her run-ins with the police began long before she started CMR, first in a legal dispute over the ownership of a dog, and then when, as a layperson in the courts, she successfully challenged poor investigations and the unlawful authority of search warrants.

Following the conviction in this case, Justice Roger Chapple, who presided over the trial, did not close down Hill’s news site as he believed it “served a useful purpose in the community” and could do even more if she had acted more responsibly.

The judge found that Hill had been responsible for a “deliberate and planned attack” broadcasting unproven allegations against the local businessman and former political candidate that he was a sex offender. Leslie has never been convicted of the crimes he was accused of in the broadcast, which included interviews with young women who claimed they were victims of the local businessman and would-be politician, who has since moved to Belize.

At her sentencing hearing, the judge raised the dangers of vigilante justice and taking the law into one’s own hands. He urged Hill to go after the police or authorities instead and investigate them if she felt they had failed in their work and expose their shortcomings. He warned her not to play judge and jury.

Pointing out that the right to free speech is not an unqualified right and “no one can say whatever they like whenever they like”, he raised concerns about the way Hill had presented the accusations.


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Category: Business, Courts, Crime, Media

Comments (72)

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  1. Anonymous says:

    Once upon a time she did this same thing to ruin Robert and Rene marriage called Robert sags.

  2. Anonymous says:

    Even if Sandra Catron is successful with this appeal, she will still remain a convicted cyber abuser as she was convicted before.

    The circumstances of that case are shocking and showed that she was a nasty piece of work. She represents the worse in humanity!

    Even in the case of the 14-year-old, her conduct in engaging the child was despicable and her bosses at the radio station should have canceled her show or suspended her unless it reflects their values.

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  3. Anonymous says:

    Jackass of the century.

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  4. Anonymous says:

    Marl Road needs paving over!

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  5. Anonymous says:

    Excuse of a wanna be journalist to bring her own personal agendas to our society.

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  6. Anonymous says:

    What a pathetic Caymanian.

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    • Anonymous says:

      Would appear that she has some issues based on unknown factors that lets her feel and hence believe that anyone that is accused must be “guilty until proven innocent” which is in the reverse of how it is in law.

  7. Anonymous says:

    No one screams there is a fire in the theater and gets away with it more often than the marl road.

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    • Anonymous says:

      Today her cultists on Facebook are commenting on a submitted video showing a man allegedly stealing mangoes from their property.

      Comments suggesting shooting and also murdering alleged thieves popped up quite quickly.

      Dangerous mindset.

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  8. Anonymous says:

    Death threats to children.

    Some of us have long memories…

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    • Anonymous says:

      She’s activated damage control on Facebook today. Posing with children and calling them “young fans”.

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  9. Anonymous says:

    There is a huge legal difference between what is in the public interest and what is just interesting to the public…if only an affected person would complain to the Ombudsman under the Data Protection Law and take her to task…See the case of Campbell v Mirror Group Newspapers…Naomi Campbell that is.
    Being a “reporter” doesn’t give you carte blanche authority to write whatever you want.
    The past and current Ombudspersons have zero cajones.

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  10. Anonymous says:

    With here fringe or should I say 3rd grade journalism she will quickly find herself in hot water again. Recently it seems she’s playing up to both Dart and CUC, maybe she vying for PR job with them. Although I don’t they would be foolish enough to hire this blowhard and assume the hot mess liability.

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    • Anonymous says:

      Ha! That shows you that Wayne will user her and try to benefit from her but she still not in his class!

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  11. Anonymous says:

    Somewhat surprised that she’s not part of the official coronation delegation.

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  12. Anonymous says:

    bully.

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    • Anonymous says:

      Would appear that she has some issues based on unknown factors that lets her feel and hence believe that anyone that is accused must be “guilty until proven innocent” which is in the reverse of how it is in law.

  13. Anonymous says:

    Once upon a time there was a case of where did something simular. Where she tried to destroy a person name Robert life and marriage, with a story called Robert saga.

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  14. Anonymous says:

    I wonder if the experts at the Alex Panton Foundation watch the bullying if a 14 year old yesterday ? I wonder if they think she is as great as Wayne Panton seems to think she is?

    Wayne is no better than this so called journalist! He should be so ashamed. Watches her attack and degrade minors and will be on her show next week talking about his trip to the coronation. I could vomit

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    • Anonymous says:

      I will be withholding any further financial contributions to them until such time as they issue a public condemnation of this person.

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  15. Anonymous says:

    It doesn’t matter what the 14yr old did, or didn’t do, it’s a 14yr old person full of imperfections and still developing. Unfortunately, fully grown adults who should know better, apparently don’t.

    The CMR pitchfork crew are the worst. Illiterate fools make up about 80% of the contents. For every useful story published, there’s at least 5 tall tales peddled.

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  16. Anonymous says:

    Bullying a 14 year old kid!

    All companies that spend money with CMR should be ashamed!

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    • Anonymous says:

      Why because you don’t like her? If you do not like CMR than don’t listen to it. The polling shows lots of other people do like and listen to her shows but undoubtedly some of you folks want it shut off because her narratives are not to your liking.

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      • Anonymous says:

        It’s not a question of not liking a narrative or a difference of opinion. It’s about not wanting the bullying to continue, especially of a child, which is reprehensible. If it’s not illegal, it should be. Hill seems to be drunk on power and thinks that when she bullies someone, it’s not bullying but “news”. She cannot tell the difference and apparently, neither can you.

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      • Anonymous says:

        The cult of CMR would happily drink the purple kool aid.

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      • Anonymous says:

        Oh Sandra (eye roll)

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      • Anonymous says:

        Idiots listen to idiots. Does not make them any smarter.

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      • Anonymous says:

        Correct. Her narratives are not to my liking of logical, moral, ethical thinking. Sucks to be a follower of bad influences.

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  17. Anonymous says:

    Maybe if everyone who feels she should not have a platform reports her facebook and instagram handles and her most recent posts especially about the minor perhaps it would make a difference. The DPP and governor should take a closer look at the impact and influence she yeilds over the islands.

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  18. Anonymous says:

    There are plenty of very comfortable fat cats in Cayman that Sandra dares to rub the wrong way. Agitators aren’t always wrong, but Sandra takes big chances relying on her own counsel and has been singed before. Pity there aren’t more like her, to blaze a trail and demonstrate by example how advocacy can be both measured and judicious. Cayman needs more risk takers to propel change.

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  19. Anonymous says:

    you all may hate her and yes I think some of the stuff she does is pretty deplorable but at least she gets things done when RCIPS chooses to do nothing.

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    • Anonymous says:

      she’s a nasty piece of work. pure and simple.

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    • Anonymous says:

      Exactly what does she do other than get it wrong 99.9% of the time. These people that she runs after with a pitchfork don’t get arrested bc in the end they’ve been misunderstood or there is already a case against them.

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  20. Anonymous says:

    Too bad no one else is dealing with your sexual predators. Nothing but quibbling.

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  21. Anonymous says:

    Jealous much? Thank God for Sandra. She gets things done and shines a light on our corrupt society but of course you all prefer to hide things under the rug and pretend it is not happening.

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  22. Anonymous says:

    The most vile of all life forms.

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  23. Anon says:

    Shame the new governor gives CMR and Sandra Hill an interview and is endorsing this convicted cyber bully.
    She even goes after children ( as she did last night)
    Someone needs to shut down her site
    The content and hate is disturbing and divisive in cayman.
    Only the illiterate follow and comment on her site.
    Shame the government and now governor supports her

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    • Anonymous says:

      Jane Owen and Wayne Panton should be ashamed of themselves

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      • Anonymous says:

        Perhaps the Governor don’t know her history, she would be Near the bottom of the list of things the Governor researched before she came her.

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    • Anonymous says:

      It was absolutely horrific and stomach churning that the governor took a selfie with a convicted cyberbully. At least Roper did better.

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  24. Anonymous says:

    Sandra has been allowed to run roughshod over the entire Cayman Islands community, legitimized by Wayne and PACT. It is disgusting how she goes after anyone publicly if they disagree with her on anything at all. It is equally disgusting how much power she was given and allowed to wield in the putting together of the current farce of an administration, bullying newly elected politicians like Sabrina and Isaac and siccing people on Isaac’s home and Sabrina’s community meeting. Sandra is a bully, and the premier himself should be ashamed for endorsing such a terrible character, using her and her platform for his won gains at the expense of the Cayman people.

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  25. Anonymous says:

    She’d fit right in with our politicians

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  26. Anonymous says:

    She should be locked up for her disgusting bullying of a 14 year old minor live on the internet yesterday evening.

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    • Anonymous says:

      you mean the 14-year-old that is organizing fight clubs to beat up on other students?

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    • Anonymous says:

      Horrible.
      Disgusting
      Cyber bully
      Hate site does absolutely nothing for the cayman image.
      Followers full of bitter twisted fired from somewhere bunch of locals too.
      This needs to be closed down but no one has the balls.
      Bitter and twisted

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  27. Anonymous says:

    This blemish on our society needs to be shut down by the courts once and for all. Get her gone.

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    • Anonymous says:

      Stop listening. Stop all interactions with the site. It is the “clients” that keep it going.

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      • Anonymous says:

        It’s the advertisers that keep going!

        Burger King being the worst.

        I own two business for over 30 years and refuse to do business with this inhumane individual.

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        • Anonymous says:

          Is that really so? Burger king is advertising on her show. No no. Say it ain’t so.

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        • Anonymous says:

          Good, and that is your right in a free society but why do you not want any of us who want to listen to Cayman Marl Road or support it be denied? Is it because you dislike her point of view? Careful that this does not go down a totalitarian style society; by the way there are lots of high placed people/politicians who dislike Cayman News Service but they also should be allowed to publish their style of news.All points of view are welcome and need to be out in the open so people can make their own decisions.

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          • Anonymous says:

            CNS doesn’t bully children. Therefore they should be allowed to continue. CMR, not so much.

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        • Anonymous says:

          Haven’t eaten at BK for that reason. Shame on the others as well who contribute to this as well as radio stations that a attempting to legitimize her.

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        • Anonymous says:

          Haven’t eaten at BK for that reason. Shame on the others as well who contribute to this as well as radio stations that a attempting to legitimize her. Regardless of the person being being an alleged bully doesnt give an adult to use her platform to abuse the and target an underaged child. Its wrong. Do something Wayne and Governor Owen. Don’t continue to perpetuate this behaviour. Stop going on her shows and taking selfies.

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        • Brenda says:

          Cayman lets boy cot Burger King and these businesses that suppot her.

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