Former Public Defender Howard Hamilton has died

Jamaica's first public defender, Howard Hamilton, QC, has died.

He was 85. 

Hamilton retired from active practice in 2013.

On Friday evening as the news broke about his death, his colleagues including many of whom worked with him expressed deep sadness.

Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Paula Llewellyn said the legal fraternity has lost a legal giant.

“He was such a nice man, very courteous, very witty, had a great sense of humor, he was an excellent advocate and his great gift was to be able get the sympathy of the jury and if on occasion his client was convicted, his plea-in-mitigation was usually very brilliant that even you the prosecutor would feel sorry for the accused when he is finish,” the DPP recalled.

Well-known senior attorney, Linton Gordon who also worked with Hamilton said the death is a great loss to the legal profession and those who benefited from his leadership and guidance.

“He was the ultimate gentleman at the bar, very polite, courteous, and non-contentious. In addition, he was a consummate leader especially for young attorneys who were just getting settled in advocacy," said Gordon.

Valerie Neita Robertson, QC also had fond memories of Hamilton.

“It's the end of an era of a great advocate. He was dedicated to the representation of the less fortunate and fought for justice for all," she said.

The Kingston native discovered his passion for advocacy from the young age of eight.

He recorded courtroom victories in every parish in Jamaica, as well as in The Bahamas, Bermuda, The Cayman Islands, Grenada, St Kitts, The Turks and Caicos Islands and the United Kingdom-based Privy Council.

The Jamaica College and St Aloysius Primary past student was called to the Bar in November 1959 and was admitted to the Inner Bar in 1984.

Besides his exemplary legal pursuits, Hamilton also served as senior Parliamentary Ombudsman and Ombudsman for political matters between November 1998 and April 2000, before his appointment as the public defender in April 2000.

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