Defense lawyers representing Grenadian journalist and newspaper editor, George Worme in the criminal libel case involving Prime Minister Dr. Keith Mitchell last Thursday lashed out at Special Prosecutor Jamaican Hugh Wildman over his conduct at the proceedings.

Wildman came under fire in open court by lead defense lawyer Anslem Clouden and his colleague Dr. Francis Alexis who became annoyed with Wildman's behavior as the defense team cross-examined Dr. Mitchell on matters relating to his New National Party (NNP) and its conduct of the 1999 general election.

Worme is facing a charge of criminal libel in connection with an article in the GRENADA TODAY newspaper, entitled, "Doc stop playing politics" which alluded to DR. Mitchell's conduct in the elections. The battle between Wildman and the defense team of lawyers started as soon as Clouden began to question Prime Minister Mitchell about his relationship with David Rowe, a former director of the bankrupt offshore outfit known as First International Bank of Grenada (FIBG).

Rowe who has been indicted is the Unites States on charges of Money Laundering and Fraud was also the Managing Director of Cambridge International Bank and Trust (CIBT), a subsidiary of First Bank. After the election in which the NNP won a 15-0 victory over the opposition, Dr. Mitchell wrote to Rowe thanking him for the monetary contributions made to the party for the exercise.

Clouden attempted to get the court to admit into evidence Dr. Mitchell's letter to Rowe and to seek to probe deeper into the amount of monies the NNP had received from the individual. However, Wildman resisted the attempt, claiming that it has nothing to do with the charge against Worme.

The defense lawyer told the court that this was important since it goes at the heart of Dr. Mitchell's reputation and credibility because the Grenadian leader had admitted that he signed the letter to Rowe. The case against Worme is due to resume on June 23 before the Chief Magistrrate.

"It be remembered that the charge of criminal libel had spoken of irregularities by the NNP during the 1999 elections by Mitchell and his party, and Rowe gave the NNP money so we must know how was the money spent since a number of persons had given monies to the NNP", he said.

During the court hearing before Chief Magistrate Patricia Mark, Wildman also resisted the efforts being made by the defense to question Dr. Mitchell about his relationship with Van Brink and First Bank.

The Court had also prevented the defense from questioning Dr. Mitchell about his relationship with German fraudster Eric Resteiner and his visit to Switzerland in 2000 when he allegedly collected a number of sum from the trickster.

On numerous occasions, Wildman got the Magistrate to rule in his favor and to debar the defense from seeking answers to a number of questions asked of Dr. Mitchell. "The defense has every (intention of) appealing the matter and ... we will not allow the issue of time, neither the conduct of Mr. Wildman to hinder us in seeking the truth.

Dr. Mitchell took an oath to tell the truth and we are entitled to probe on his credibility", Clouden said. According to Clouden, the conduct of Wildman in the case is not surprising since the West Indian reports had spoken negatively of him and his demeanour in court. He recalled the unwarranted attack by the Jamaican on the integrity of respected High Court Judge Brian Alleyne, who is now serving on the Court of Appeal.

Wildman had filed an action in the high court asking that Alleyne not hear any of his matters on the grounds that the judge was demonstrating "bias or a real danger of bias", towards him. Clouden recalled that another High Court Judge, Othniel Sylvester QC, of St. Vincent heard the matter and "roundly dismissed Wildman's action as wholly misconceived, frivolous, vexatious and an abuse of the process".

The lawyer said that the defense team will not be inhibited by the behavior of Wildman, neither will they be deterred by the rulings of the Magistrate with respect to admitting certain documents into evidence. He charged that moves are afoot to prevent the defense from conducting their case the way it ought to be conducted but they will not be intimidated.

"We will bring justice to this case and we are prepared to leave no stone un-turned...", he remarked. "We are prepared to meet them on their turf and if we have to go right back up to the Privy Council to vindicate the principle of the free press and the right to fair comment and to liberate themselves from such oppressive charges we will do just that", he said.

Clouden made mention of Dr. Mitchell's attitude towards the defense when he was being cross-examined. He said that the Prime Minister displayed some cunning and evasive behavior by choosing the questions to answer. Clouden disclosed that the defense team intends to call former Opposition Leader, Michael Baptiste who was a member of the NNP administration to give evidence in the case.

He said it is the view of the defense that Baptiste can give very credible evidence before the court on the matter of alleged bribes taking place in the 1999 poll.