Appeal court to hear crown on Bush’s stalled assault case
(CNS): The Cayman Islands Court of Appeal has agreed to hear the prosecution argue why an indecent assault case against former premier McKeeva Bush should not have been stopped and why the crown should still be able to try Bush on the allegations. However, the appeal will not be heard until May next year, which will be after the general election on 30 April. Therefore, Bush, who has changed his mind about retiring, will be campaigning to be returned to his West Bay West district before the appeal.
The case against Bush for indecently assaulting two female civil servants at an official cocktail party in September 2022 was stopped by Justice Stanley John in February this year because of an abuse of process in relation to one of the women.
The first woman who the crown said had been assaulted by Bush had been willing to see the case go to court.
However, the second woman gave evidence during the trial and in previous correspondence with police, prosecutors and her civil service managers that she did not believe that what Bush did amounted to a crime. She said he was drunk and had given her a hickey (a love bite) on her hand, which she described as “creepy and weird” but not a crime and she had not wanted to press charges.
Because of this, the defence argued that there had been an abuse of process and a manipulation of the second woman who did not support the trial. In response, the judge halted the entire case before it went to the jury and dismissed Bush.
However, in a later ruling, the judge admitted that he made an error when he stopped the trial and said there were still grounds for the crown to pursue the charges in relation to the first woman, whom Bush is accused of touching and kissing against her will.
The prosecution opted to formally appeal, and on Tuesday, the appeal court said it was willing to hear the case. It is now scheduled for 13 May — two weeks after the elections — which is when the senior justices will return to the Cayman Islands for the spring appeal court session.
It is understood that the crown is also appealing against the findings in relation to the woman who did not want to take part in the case and will be arguing that she has given sufficient evidence to pursue all four charges of common assault and indecent assault against the two women.
The appeal court also agreed that Bush was entitled to legal aid to finance his response to the crown’s appeal as he wanted to be represented by Jerome Lynch, KC, who was his defence counsel at trial. The justices said that because the crown is bringing the case against Bush (one of the highest-paid MPs), he should be given financial assistance if he qualifies for it.
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MAC Woman Beater is asking for legal aid !!!!!. It really shows that you have no shame. Your real estate company had the exclusive right to sell all of the condos at Ritz Carlton, as well as you were given 1 or 2 condos which you sold. Mac what did you do with that money ?
The 4 women that headed the campaign to stop you from closing the West Bay road that was used for more than 100 years, could not get legal aid and the reason was because it was not a national issue.
We need to have a protest about giving you our money (for legal aid) that is needed so bad for so many other things.
East End has two civic centres, but West Bay does not even have one. Mac, please tell Cayman what good you did in the 40 years that you were a MP.
Dear Merciful God. Please hear my prayer. You know of all the others around me who have expressed a similar one. It’s not that we wish ill upon Mr. Bush, dear Lord, because we don’t. We just wish you could make him not lie. That’s it. Make his tongue truthful.
If you’re not willing to do that Lord, then, please just go ahead and smite him. He is the worm in Your apple. He does not do works in Your honour, nor ours. He believes he is untouchable.
Put the pipe down love
Get with it!
Brilliant!
As another poster wrote about Watson yesterday “the turd that almost won’t flush”, well this abominal wretch is the turd that won’t flush.
an unflushable i think is the correct term.
Justice delayed is justice denied.
Gold rules. Might makes right. Bullies win. Drunks have the right of way. Braggers are followed. And so it goes
Disgusting man on so many levels.
Changed his mind about retiring… wow like this totally like when Michael Jordan came back from retirement NBA and won 3 more championships!!!
Big Daddy Mack has got big plans such a selfless civil servant heart of gold to help others his fellow man but women too have felt his stimulation why hasn’t any Cayman bills not have his face in commemoration of his achievements effort to keep pumping is beyond me! As the great Mark Twain once said what’s good for the goose is good for the grandkids. The future is bright let him continue on his journey it’s gonna make you proud one day promise you
LMAO
Let’s watch carefully which so called political leaders join up with Bush.
History repeating itself, same ole shit and corruption! There is no watching carefully..why you not changing it?
Legal aid????
Seriously, legal aid???? On his salary and perks???
If he applies and manages to get legal aid, THIS alone should be an indicator to his supporters that he shouldn’t be in a position to manage the finances of this country. Seriously, if he can manage his own money and I’m sure he’s got loads of it stashed somewhere, then he should have nothing to do with ours!
Come on folks…WAKE UP!
This says it all !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wake up WBW
For years and years and years..he and his supporters don’t give a shit about Cayman…pay me, pay me, money, money!
Why he running again???
Bills paid, salary, $$$ Legal Aid??
He not a Don, he a disgusting piece of shit that has used the Caymanian people for years.
And going for it again.
Get rid of this parasite and others maybe Cayman n move into 2024!
Lttle too late! The crap should have been rid off long time ago!
Does legal aid apply to those who have been threatened with a fine or jail or both for licence plates?
The ineptitude self evident is almost every aspect of our governance is destroying us.