In other news on the U.D.P…..today, Deputy Prime Minister Gaspar Vega and Ramon Cervantes Jr., the man who will contest him in Orange Walk North were in court. The DPM had not been showing up in court until today. He is suing Cervantes for libel, for causing the broadcast of a tape recording of a suspect in the murder of Ramon Cervantes Senior, whose body was found buried on a farm on the Honey Camp Road. Both parties have been caught up in pre-trial case management, but all that concluded today before Chief Justice Kenneth Benjamin. After meeting in his chambers, the CJ dismissed an application by Vega to amend a claim. With that, the matter now goes to full trial in July. News Five managed to speak to both parties this morning as they emerged from court, flanked by their respective attorneys and supporters.
Said Musa
Said Musa, Attorney for Ramon Cervantes Jr.
“The claimant, Mr. Vega, had applied through his attorney to amend his statement of claim and it was argued at the last session. Today the Court gave the ruling and the amendment was disallowed.”
Rodwell Williams, Attorney for Gaspar Vega
“We sought to amend to aver that the offending words were not only broadcast over the radio station but also over a public announcement system at the forum at Mamayal Farm to people who were in attendance, while at the same time over the air. That’s basically it.”
Rodwell Williams
Reporter
“What would be the effect of that, Sir?”
Rodwell Williams
“Well that’s simply to say that it was made at the same time in both mediums, hear, and the Judge felt that as it stands it covers it. So that amendment was not allowed because as it stands it covers the nature of the case already.”
Reporter
“Are both parties sticking to their positions?”
Rodwell Williams
“Well, we are certainly insisting that we proceed to trial.”
Gaspar Vega
Said Musa
“At the last hearing Mr. Vega did not show up and the judge made some comments about that, that all parties should be present at every stage of the proceedings. Well today we noticed he showed up right.”
Gaspar Vega, Deputy Prime Minister
“I’ve maintained calm and I know that the truth will prevail. There is only one God and he knows everything.”
The trial is set for July twenty-third and twenty-fourth before the Chief Justice.
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