Michael Abrahams | Leave Tamika Harris alone

It was a crime most heinous. A woman, Kemesha Wright, and her four children, comprising three girls and one boy, were found with their throats slashed at their home in the New Road community in Clarendon. The news sent waves of shock and horror throughout the country, and dominated conversations and posts in social and traditional media, plunging people who were not even acquainted with the deceased into grief and mourning.

Shortly afterwards, the police named 23-year-old Rushane Barnett, a cousin of the slain woman, as a person of interest. He was later arrested and charged.

The crime was so gruesome that Director of Public Prosecutions Paula Llewellyn recommended the death penalty, should the accused be found guilty. Subsequently, the court appointed Tamika Harris, an experienced criminal lawyer, for his defence. Unfortunately, her involvement in the case has incurred the wrath of many, some of whom found it appropriate to take to social media, including some of her accounts, to post their abusive statements.

One person wrote, “She want a broad board across her back.” Another opined that the accused murderer should kill her. Some brought her gender into the mix, an example being the statement, “Can u imagine that monster who brutally slaughtered the woman n her four children, he is being protected by women lawyers. (Jamaica).”

DISPLAYED IGNORANCE

Others displayed their ignorance by claiming that she is collecting money from the accused. One person posted on Facebook, “ That dog you collecting money from killed five people. Him no have no right but to be hanged. Blood money not good for your pocket.” However, Ms Harris has not collected a cent from the accused, and will not be doing so. She is court-appointed. Interestingly, the person who posted that comment is in law enforcement, someone who should know better.

In response to a comment from a critic who questioned whether she “has a heart” to defend a “dirty filthy killer”, Ms Harris responded:

“Thank you for commenting on my page. I don’t need a heart to defend him. I need legal training. Defending a person charged for a criminal offence does not mean you condone or approve of the behaviour detailed in the allegations. As a defence lawyer you advise your client of the options available to them, that is the option to plea guilty or not guilty. You advise them according to your instructions and the strength or weaknesses of the case. My job is to ensure that my client fully appreciates the process and understands the language of the court and the entire proceedings. Everyone is entitled to legal representation.”

Her response says it all. Many fail to understand that being a defence attorney does not mean you condone or defend your client’s alleged behaviour, or the act or acts that were perpetrated. Many also fail to understand that everyone has a right to legal representation and a fair trial. Many of us want justice to be served regarding the murder of Ms Wright and her children. Promptly providing the accused with an attorney expedites the process.

RIGHT TO LEGAL REPRESENTATION

It is also important to understand that everyone has a right to legal representation, no matter what the charge. There have been cases where innocent people have been set up, falsely accused, tried, sentenced , and even executed. You may demand swift and severe punishment for someone accused of a gruesome crime, such as the one Barnett is accused of, but please understand that you may one day find yourself in a situation where you will need to be defended, too.

For example, you may fatally injure someone in self-defence, and be arrested for murder, while word on the street and chatter on social media may have many convinced that you are a cold-blooded murderer. Or your fingerprints could be found on a murder weapon, implicating you, when you had nothing to do with the crime. Or you may engage in consensual sex with someone, only to be later unfairly accused of rape. Or you could be incorrectly identified as a perpetrator in an identification parade. And the list of possibilities goes on.

We are disgusted by the murder of Ms Wright and her children, and want justice for them. But justice must take its course. There is a process that must take place, and a defence attorney is an essential part of the process. Who knows, it is possible that after reviewing the evidence, the accused’s attorney may advise him to plead guilty, and if that is the case, there will be no trial, and he will be sentenced.

Do I have the aptitude to do Ms Harris’ job? No, I do not. I do not have the stomach for it, but I respect her and her role in the judicial system. So, if you are inclined to hurl barbs at her, please think twice. You may need her one day.

Michael Abrahams is an obstetrician and gynaecologist, social commentator and human-rights advocate. Send feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com and michabe_1999@hotmail.com, or follow him on Twitter @mikeyabrahams.