{"id":189727,"date":"2023-11-07T17:34:10","date_gmt":"2023-11-07T21:34:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/?p=189727"},"modified":"2023-11-07T18:26:16","modified_gmt":"2023-11-07T22:26:16","slug":"commentary-jeffrey-daniel-an-experimental-juryless-murder-trial","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/commentary-jeffrey-daniel-an-experimental-juryless-murder-trial\/","title":{"rendered":"COMMENTARY: Jeffrey Daniel: An Experimental Juryless Murder Trial"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"<\/a><\/div>
\"\"<\/a><\/div>

Jeffrey Daniel: An Experimental Juryless Murder Trial<\/p>

\"\"<\/a><\/div>\n

BY Rawlston Pompey<\/strong><\/p>\n

Within the Judiciary, and by extension, the wider society, the focus of functional attention has been placed on an ancestral child, Nigerian-born and trained jurist, \u2018His Lordship, Justice Tunde Ademola Bakre.\u2019 He has broken barrier. Research into his appointment revealed this Magazine \u2018Law and Society\u2019 report; \u2018Announcing the appointment of our own Justice Bakre, Secretary to the Judicial and Legal Services Commission of \u2018ECSC\u2019 stated; \u2018The Commission was impressed with your skills and accomplishment, and deems your background and experience to be good match for the Judiciary; [Nigeria: LS: July 15, 2023]. The nation lauds \u2018His Lordship\u2019s appointment.<\/p>

\"\"<\/a><\/div>
\"\"<\/a><\/div>\n

BASTION OF HOPE<\/p>

\"\"<\/a><\/div>\n

Still emerging from the shackless of British colonialism, but with strong judicial ties, the twin-island nation of \u2018Antigua and Barbuda\u2019 has entered its 42nd<\/sup> Year of political independence\u2019 [November 1, 1981]. In the \u20182023 year of human civilization, and with some semblance of a growing democracy, there has been expressed dissatisfaction and distrust in the concept called \u2018Criminal Justice.\u2019 In some areas of adjudication, it appears that the overwhelming majority of the law-abiding citizens have not been fully inspired into accepting the Courts as the \u2018Bastion of Hope.\u2019 Such \u2018Hope\u2019 could be strengthened with the distinguished additional Judicial officer.<\/p>\n

INSPIRING CONFIDENCE<\/p>

\"\"<\/a><\/div>\n

Speaking to Judicial officers, likened to others \u2018Her Ladyship, Justice Ann-Marie Smith,\u2019 has sought to \u2018Inspire Confidence\u2019 in this vital institution. Her Ladyship\u2019s understanding of \u2018Criminal Justice,\u2019 as well as the dispensation of it, appears not to have been just a perception, but of its reality. Such inspiration is not only conducive to an enabling societal environment that allows for the law-abiding to go about their lawful business unmolested or commune in peace and harmony, but also free from acts of criminality. Undoubtedly, such is vitally important to the \u2018Rule of Law.\u2019<\/p>\n

BEST LEGAL MINDS<\/p>

\"\"<\/a><\/div>\n

Though progress is a must, to the citizenry, it has been both a blessing and curse. A blessing as change is inevitable, and a curse when the \u2018Wrath of Man\u2019 descended.\u00a0 In direct reference to \u2018Murder Trials,\u2019 the law-abiding citizens never anticipated that there would be appointees to the \u2018Bar,\u2019 so statutorily-empowered as to function in the dual role of \u2018Judge and Jury.\u2019 Intending no provocation of discourse, nor promotion of disdain, nor functional disharmony, the Judiciary, staffed with some of the most \u2018Best Legal Minds,\u2019 has in the recent past, given general public more \u2018Dreams to Remember,\u2019 than those experienced by \u2018Otis Redding\u2019 in his lifetime [September 9, 1941-December 10, 1967].<\/p>

\"\"<\/a><\/div>\n

PUBLIC SCRUTINY<\/p>\n

Still, every \u2018once-in- a-while,\u2019 the \u2018Criminal Justice System\u2019 has come under \u2018Public Scrutiny.\u2019 This occurred when it has shown much more intriguing behavior, than developments within the sphere of human socialization within the nation. The lawless often interacts with this system.\u00a0 The fundamental difference, however, has often been its sometimes-uncanny practices and procedures. Thus, within this system, no citizen shall take comfort that a juryless murder trial shall take on the procedural appearance of that obtained in \u2018Courts of Kangaroos.\u2019<\/p>\n

MURDER<\/p>\n

From time immemorial, the killing of a person considered a \u2018Reasonable Creature in Being\u2019 has been criminally classified as\u2019 Murder.\u2019 \u00a0Societies, everywhere have been outraged in the unlawful, cold-blooded and senseless shooting and brutal hacking that have either brought painless instant, or painfully suffering death. The frequency, nature and gravity of this felonious act has long dictated that society placed this crime at \u2018Common Law.\u2019 It was one of two serious criminal acts, so considered.<\/p>\n

INDEPENDENT AND IMPARTIAL<\/p>\n

For \u2018Serious Felonies.\u2019 such as; (i) Treason: and (ii) Murder,\u2019 human civilization dictates that uncivil behavior shall neither be embraced, as to be seen as enjoying societal tolerance. In non-democracies, where due regard has failed to be given to the \u2018Universal Declaration of Human Rights,\u2019 this nation allows for certain entitlements. The criminally indicted is; \u2018Entitled in full equality to a fair and public hearing by an independent and impartial tribunal in the determination of any criminal charge against him\/her\u2019 [December 10, 1948: UDHR: Article 10]. While there might be issues with \u2018Impartiality,\u2019 there shall be none with the \u2018Independence\u2019 of a criminal tribunal.<\/p>\n

REMOVAL OF INDEPENDENCE<\/p>\n

In a trial for murder that which was conducted without a \u2018Jury,\u2019 necessarily means removal of the \u2018Independence\u2019 of the tribunal. For, it is the \u2018Jury\u2019 that independently judges \u2018Facts.\u2019 \u00a0Moreover, it is the Jury that makes determinations of \u2018Innocence or Guilt.\u2019 The \u2018Trial Judges\u2019 are all professionally competent in their primary adjudicating role in judging \u2018Law.\u2019 Thus, theirs is the judicial duty in guiding the lay persons (Juries) understanding with their legal knowledge and expertise.<\/p>\n

JUDGE AND JURY<\/p>\n

When the legislative initiative that saw the \u2018Criminal Proceedings (Judge Alone Trial) Act\u2019 duly enacted, except with cunning design or intent to mis-inform; mislead; or deceive, the Government hosted website currently reveals; \u2018The Bill specifies, such as \u2018Murder,\u2019 will require trial by both \u2018JUDGE and JURY\u2019 [http\/\/laws.gov.ag uploads>2020\/03>criminal\u2026]. Whether or not client and attorneys were mindful of possible looming consequences, the murder-accused appeared to have reposed sufficient \u2018Faith\u2019 in the \u2018Pandemic Mode of Trial.\u2019<\/p>\n

RIGHT TO JURY TRIAL<\/p>\n

The specified offences were not inclusive of murder. Instructively, in the United Kingdom from which this nation\u2019s jurisprudence was derived, any person charged with a criminal offence, which penalty exceeds imprisonment of six months, has reserves the \u2018Right to \u2018Jury Trial\u2019 [Wikipedia]. Contrastingly, within this jurisdiction, a murder-accused facing the \u2018Penalty of Death,\u2019 (though not now enforced), by a statutory enactment, has opted and consented to be \u2018Tried by Judge Alone\u2019 [Criminal Proceedings (Trial by Judge Alone: No. 8 of 2021: Section 5].<\/p>\n

JUSTICE AND LAW<\/p>\n

The young, restless, reckless and lawless shall understand that the \u2018Criminal Justice System\u2019 has never been about \u2018Optional Exploitation.\u2019 The institutionalized \u2018Criminal Justice System\u2019 and Rule of Law,\u2019 were established to keep those so characterized in check. Even so, the legal systems were never intended to be religiously, but for reasons of urgent necessity. The expedient use in continuity of the \u2018Judge Alone Trials,\u2019 in the absence of a \u2018Pandemic\u2019 where there exists risk to the national health, appear more of a danger to improvement within the \u2018Criminal Justice System,\u2019 could see \u2018Criminal Justice\u2019 being starved for efficient dispensation.<\/p>\n

TREASON AND MURDER<\/p>\n

No matter the scholarly teaching, learning, intellect and Court room practice, none may deny that the two most serious criminal acts referred to, in the \u2018Constitution Order of Antigua and Barbuda,\u2019 have been; (i).\u2019Treason; and (ii) Murder.\u2019 So, grave have been these horrible and heinous crimes, that the \u2018Constitution\u2019 recognizes the statutory imposable penalty of \u2018Death.\u2019 Still, the constitutional provision states: \u2018No person shall be deprived of his life intentionally, save in execution of the sentence of a Court in respect of crime of: (a) Treason; or (b) Murder\u2019 [CO: 1981: Section 4 (i)].<\/p>\n

UNLAWFUL KILLING<\/p>\n

Criminal proceedings began with an indictment that charged murder-accused \u2018Jeffrey Daniel\u2019 with the \u2018Unlawful Killing\u2019 of \u2018Newfield resident, \u2018David Roberts.\u2019 The victim reportedly succumbed to injuries sustained to his neck at his residence [May 21, 2021]. Having sought legal advice, and retained such legal services, he appeared to have placed his \u2018Fate\u2019 in the hands of a \u2018Judge,\u2019 statutorily provided with \u2018Jury Power\u2019 to conduct \u2018Judge Alone Trials\u2019 for certain criminal offences. That which may have informed such option, appeared sealed in client\/counsel confidentiality.\u2019<\/p>\n

JUDGES WITH JURY POWER<\/p>\n

Seeking to sensationalize the unprecedented \u2018Juryless Murder Trial,\u2019 a local and scooping regional news portals reported; \u2018The first witnesses took the stand yesterday in the \u2018Inaugural Judge only Murder Trial\u2019 of Jeffrey Daniel\u2019 [Observer Media: Loop Caribbean: November 3, 2023]. The enactment that provides \u2018Judges with Jury Power,\u2019 states; \u2018Where a trial is conducted without a Jury, the Judge shall have; (i) \u2018All the power; (ii) Authority; and (iii) Jurisdiction of a Jury\u2019 [Criminal Proceedings (Judge Alone Trial) Act: No. 8 of 2021: Section 7]. Then acting in the capacity of Trial Judge, the \u2018Act\u2019 provides for a \u2018Trial Judge\u2019 to address preliminary issues, (if raised). These include; (a) \u2018Fitness to plead; and (b) Fitness to stand trial for the specified offences [CPTBJAA: Section 4 (1)].<\/p>\n

MODE OF TRIAL<\/p>\n

As may have been explained for better understanding of that which a murder-accused may have been advised, the enactment appears as clear as the midday skies. Unsuspectingly, who else would have been legally-positioned to offer advice and\/or to exploit the susceptibility and\/or gullibility of clients to opt for such mode of trial?\u2019 Still, even with such \u2018Certification,\u2019 Parliament could never have intended that an adjudicator should be \u2018Jury,\u2019 judging \u2018Facts\u2019 in any trial on indictment for murder. Prosecutorally and sensationally, there are people that so believed. A Trial Judge may run the risk of having such \u2018Judge Alone Murder Trial\u2019 nullified and voided for want of jurisdiction.<\/p>\n

WANT OF JURISDICTION<\/p>\n

While adjudicators are expected to judge \u2018Points in Law,\u2019 none shall be tasked with finding guilty, a murder-accused; imposed the statutory stipulated punishment; then act as executioner for the two capital offences. Until there is a law that specifically and jurisdictionally mandates trial Judges to make determinations of innocence or guilt for this serious criminal act, the trial of murder-accused \u2018Jeffrey Daniel\u2019 by a \u2018Judge Alone,\u2019 appear starved for legitimacy, and in \u2018Want of Judicial Jurisdiction.\u2019<\/p>\n

NON-CAPITAL OFFENCES<\/p>\n

For the \u2018Non-Capital Offences,\u2019 in \u2018Judge Alone Trials,\u2019 the \u2018Act\u2019 has made clear; (a) \u2018The legislative purpose; and (b) The parliamentary mischief aimed.\u2019 That which no \u2018Jurisdictional Authority\u2019 has been specified in the enactment, was that of \u2018Judge Alone Murder Trials.\u2019 Incidentally, it has specified the criminal offences \u2018Judge Alone Trials\u2019 shall be so undertaken. It states; Every person who is committed for trial, or indicted alone or jointly for any offence set out in Subsection (2), shall be tried before a Judge sitting alone, without a Jury\u2019 [CPJATA: Section 4: No.8 of 2021].<\/p>\n

CLASSIFIED OFFENCES<\/p>\n

Neither before, nor after, the provisions contained therein, the \u2018Act\u2019 has made reference to trial on indictment for \u2018Offences Against the Person Act.\u2019 These include; \u2018Murder; Serious woundings; Grievous assaults; or Bodily harm.\u2019 The offences so classified and made triable by \u2018Judge Alone,\u2019 it further states; \u2018On the other hand, crimes involving; (a) \u2018Property; (b) Theft; (c) Forgery; (d) Drugs; (e) Money Laundering; (f) Firearms, etc. can be heard with a Judge alone, and an accused person can decide how he\/she wishes to be tried\u2019 [Criminal Proceedings (Section 4: Judge Alone Trial) Act: No 8 of 2021].<\/p>\n

26- INDICTABLE OFFENCES<\/p>\n

The \u2018Criminal Proceedings (Trial by Judge Alone) Act\u2019 has listed some twenty-six (26) Criminal Offences.\u2019 Upon indictment, the \u2018Act\u2019 has made it mandatory for accused persons so indicted by the \u2018Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP)\u2019 to be tried by a \u2018Judge\u2019 without empaneling a Jury.\u2019 In the absence of the two \u2018Capital Felonies-Treason and Murder,\u2019 the \u2018Act\u2019 provides for other offences to be so tried. It sets out; (i) \u2018Procedures to guide the defence; (ii) Procedures to be prosecutorally followed; and (iii) Directions to judicially accommodate the \u2018Juryless Trials.\u2019<\/p>\n

TINKERED PROSECUTION<\/p>\n

Likened to particular pieces of legislation, there are some prosecutorial decisions that when taken, were sometimes capable of being described as a; \u2018Tinkered Prosecution.\u2019 Thus, as law-makers sometimes tinkered with law, as to be seen as performing legal gymnastics. When the murder-accused reportedly applied for, and consented to be tried by \u2018Judge Alone,\u2019 he would have waived his right to be tried by a \u2018Jury of his Peer.\u2019 However diminished may have been their responsibility, the \u2018Juryless Murder Trial\u2019 got smoothly underway.<\/p>\n

JUDICIAL THUNDER STORMS<\/p>\n

To see and hear \u2018His Lordship, Justice Tunde Ademola Bakre,\u2019 is to be at the \u2018Criminal Assize.\u2019 To see and hear lightning and thunder, one could be anywhere.\u2019 Preparing \u2018His Lordship\u2019 for an apparent baptism of judicial fire, thereby confining the \u2018Honourable Justice\u2019 to the \u2018Pandemic Mode of Trial,\u2019 sounds capable of being described as anything, but thunder. Those who may not necessarily observe bolts of lightning, will most likely experience the silence-tapping gavel in delivering the verdict of the Court. This shall come after the apparent experimental \u2018First Murder Trial\u2019 by \u2018Judge Alone.\u2019 Whether or not the outcome harmonized with human expectations, \u2018His Lordship\u2019 set poised to cause as many \u2018Judicial Thunder Storms.\u2019.<\/p>\n

CARIBBEAN EXPERIENCE<\/p>\n

As it affects \u2018His Lordship\u2019s\u2019 professional and adjudicating capacity, experience and competence, none shall be circumspect. Even so, for his \u2018Caribbean Experience,\u2019 legal luminaries have expressed functional concerns over possible; (a) \u2018Disingenuity to His Lordship; (b) Likely embarrassment to the Judiciary; (c) Disservice to the nation; and (d) Grave injustice to Justice.\u2019 These they have viewed from the perspective of foisting a \u2018Judge Alone Murder Trial\u2019 upon the apparent innocent and unsuspecting \u2018Trial Judge.\u2019 Research has revealed no set precedent by any Justice (past or present) within the \u2018Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (ECSC).\u2019<\/p>\n

CRIMINAL JUSTICE<\/p>\n

Had \u2018Judge Alone Murder Trial\u2019 been so intended, there may have been no need for the enactment called the \u2018Juries Act\u2019 [No. 6 of 2009]. That which now seems most troubling, has been that which the \u2018Constitution Order\u2019 never intended, and \u2018Criminal Justice\u2019 never demands. Though the \u2018Judge Alone Murder Trial\u2019 of \u2018Jeffrey Daniel\u2019 has yet to reach the threshold for a \u2018Judge Alone Verdict,\u2019 the professional view has been that no sitting Judge of the \u2018Criminal Assizes,\u2019 shall replace the empanelment of \u2018Jury\u2019 specifically to provide lay-person peerage in murder trials.<\/p>\n

HUNG JURY v HUNG JUDGE<\/p>\n

Seemingly, optionally and legally guided by his attorneys, to all intents and purposes, the murder-accused has waived his right to a \u2018Judge and 12-member Jury Trial.\u2019 While there may be a \u2018Hung Jury,\u2019 there is no such concept as a \u2018Hung Judge.\u2019 That which may have been rightly or wrongly considered his best trial option, may bring him joys to celebrate or likened to \u2018Otis Redding,\u2019 left him with remembrance of a \u2018Murder Trial.\u2019 It has been the trial in which a \u2018Judge Alone\u2019 determines \u2018Verdict; Fate; and Future. Until the \u2018Judge Alone Verdict\u2019 has been delivered, the murder-accused may have reasons to quietly sit and ponder.<\/p>\n

OBJECT \u2013 PERIOD OF OPERATION<\/p>\n

Instructively, the \u2018Criminal Proceedings (Judge Alone Trial Act),\u2019 when tabled in the House of Representatives, Legislators addressed both; (i) The object; and (ii) The period of its operation.\u2019 Thus, it states; \u2018The object of this \u2018Bill\u2019 is to facilitate the trial of criminal matters in the High Court by Judge Alone; that is by a Judge sitting without a Jury. Ensuring that general public and persons having business to do at the \u2018Criminal Assizes,\u2019 the \u2018Act\u2019 continues; \u2018Notably, the Act when passed will only apply for the period of the Pandemic\u2019 [ABL: http\/\/laws.gov.ag > uploads > 2021\/03\/ criminal].<\/p>\n

DREADFUL RULINGS – DREADFUL VERDICTS<\/p>\n

Where there is no Jury, the likelihood for dreadful rulings and dreadful verdicts to be given have never been without legitimate concerns. Though not necessarily unmindful of that which such trial entails, Defence attorneys \u2018Wendell Robinson-Alexander\u2019 and associate Wayne Marsh, as well as \u2018Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Shannon Jones-Gittens\u2019 may have been cognizance of the specified offences to which such \u2018Mode of Trial\u2019 without \u2018Jury\u2019 refers.<\/p>\n

ADVENTUROUSLY RISKY<\/p>\n

For instance, an accused person indicted for trial at the \u2018Criminal Assizes,\u2019 and for offences not specified in the Act,\u2019 is required to \u2018Consent\u2019 to be so tried. The language and tenor contained therein, have been such that even with the advice of \u2018Defence attorneys,\u2019 such trial appears \u2018Adventurously Risky.\u2019 \u00a0Before an order was made by the \u2018Trial Judge,\u2019 an accused person is required to provide a \u2018Certificate of Confirmation of Consent (COCOC),\u2019 for offences charged or indicted, but not listed among those specified for mandatory \u2018Judge Alone Trial.\u2019<\/p>\n

THE \u2018COCOC\u2019<\/p>\n

For the benefit of\u00a0 knowledge, \u2018The COCOC\u2019 reads; \u2018 I Charles Tabor-Black confirm; (i) \u2018That I have sought and received legal advice from the undersigned attorney-at-law; and (ii) I have elected to be tried by a Judge alone; (iii) The attorney has; (a) \u2018Advised me of my rights; (b) Possible defences; (c) Penalties; (d) Consequences and implications of electing to be tried by Judge Alone; (e) I had sufficient time to confer with the attorney concerning this mode of trial.<\/p>\n

FAVORABLE OR DETRIMENTAL<\/p>\n

The Certification ends; (f) \u2018I fully understand the implications of electing to be tried by \u2018Judge\u2019 alone\u2019 [Criminal Proceedings (Judge Alone Trial) Act: No.8 of 2021: Section 5 (4)]. Whether or not to his \u2018Favor or Detriment,\u2019 the \u2018COCOC\u2019 ends; (a) \u2018I Consent and Agree to have my trial conducted by a Judge without a Jury; (b) I freely and voluntarily give this consent of my own choosing and my own free will, without reservation; and (c) That no promise; inducement; threat; coercion or force of any kind was employed by anyone to secure my consent to this mode of trial\u2019 [CPJATA].<\/p>\n

CERTIFICATE OF CONSENT<\/p>\n

Notwithstanding defence counsels best professional advice, in any \u2018Juryless Murder Trial,\u2019 electing to be so tried appears detrimentally risky. Should an adverse verdict be given, an accused appears well-positioned to argue that he\/she submitted to solicited legal counsel by trusted attorneys. That which remains open to reasonably drawn inferences from the very carefully crafted \u2018Certificate of Consent,\u2019 is that an accused person seeking such advice, undoubtedly, would have been introduced to the \u2018Pandemic Mode of Trial.\u2019 Clearly, it would have been seen as anything, but; (a) \u2018Making own choosing; and (b) Exercising free will.\u2019<\/p>\n

SHORT TITLE AND COMMENCEMENT<\/p>\n

Be that as it may, that which shall have been clear in the minds of general public; the populace and members of the legal fraternity, and more particularly, the \u2018Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), were; (i) \u2018The Short Title; (ii) Commencement of the Act; and (iii) Period of operation.\u2019 The \u2018Act\u2019 states; (a) \u2018The Act may be cited as the Criminal Proceedings (Trial by Judge Alone) Act; (b) The Act shall come into force on a date appointed by the Minister; and (c) Shall remain in force for a period of two years from the date so appointed\u2019 [Section 1: (1 & 2)].<\/p>\n

CONTINUATION OF ENACTMENT<\/p>\n

The date the enactment came into force was \u2018June 7, 2021\u2019 [Montserrat Alive]. The two years shall have expired on \u2018May 6, 2023.\u2019 Instructively, prior to the operationally-expressed expiry date, the \u2018House of Representatives and the Senate, sat and passed a \u2018Continuation Act\u2019 [May 18, 2023: and May 25, 2023: No. 5 of 2023]. Giving legitimacy to continuation, this statutory provision is contained in the \u2018Interpretation Act\u2019 [Chapter 224: Section 14]. Even so, the enactment made no provisions for \u2018Judge Alone Murder Trial.\u2019<\/p>\n

SANCTITY OF LIFE<\/p>\n

Though abolished in the United Kingdom and its dominion [1965], attempts to foist its abolishment upon former, but independent \u2018Small Island States (SIS),\u2019 such as those of the \u2018Eastern Caribbean.\u2019 Some nations have embraced the retention of the \u2018Death penalty as a national policy. Some, have shown a willingness in embracing and showing respect for human dignity and worth, and more particularly for the \u2018Sanctity of Life.\u2019 However, in view of existing Law, the \u2018Sentence of Death,\u2019 remains the legal penalty imposable upon those found guilty by \u2018Juries of their peers.\u2019.<\/p>\n

PRATT AND MORGAN<\/p>\n

The historic London Privy Council ruling in the Case \u2018Earl Pratt and Ivan Morgan\u2019 [Jamaica: 1977], makes the case for abolishment. Both murder-convicts saw a Jury, deliberated for just two hours, before returning guilty verdicts for murder. The murder-convicts, sentenced to be hanged, reportedly languished on \u2018Death Row\u2019 for some 14 years. The \u2018Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (JCPC),\u2019 in its Apex appellate capacity, considered the psychological impact the delayed execution had on their lives. Some authors described it as \u2018Mental anguish.\u2019 The Privy Councilors not only ruled that such was \u2018Cruel and inhuman punishment,\u2019 but also in violation of the \u2018Jamaica Constitution\u2019 [November 2, 1993].<\/p>\n

CONTROVERSIAL CRIMINAL PUNISHMENT<\/p>\n

It further ruled that execution shall be carried out within five years of being convicted and condemned. This has been a challenge for many jurisdictions that retain the \u2018London Privy Council\u2019 as its \u2018Apex Court.\u2019 Nationally, there were more calls for the \u2018Retention and Imposition\u2019 of the \u2018Death Penalty,\u2019 than of calls for its \u2018Abolishment.\u2019 Notwithstanding the legality and constitutionality of the \u2018Controversial Criminal Punishment,\u2019 most pro-life advocates; legal officers and luminaries; practitioners may not have considered the existing constitutional provision.<\/p>\n

PENALTY SECTION<\/p>\n

Nationally, the one-line \u2018Penalty Section\u2019 for this crime simply and sharply states; \u2018Whosoever is convicted of murder shall suffer death as a felon\u2019 [Offences Against the Person Act: Chapter 300: Section 2]. The following Section also states; \u2018Upon every conviction for murder, the Court shall pronounce sentence of death\u2019 [Section 3 (1)]. While such punishment is contained in the law, and its imposition resides with \u2018Trial Judges,\u2019 determination of; (a) \u2018Innocence,\u2019 a \u2018Constitutional Presumption,\u2019 silently, at trial, the general public, and by extension, members of the wider society reasonably expected that; (a) Innocence or (b) Guilt\u2019 shall be the findings of a Jury.<\/p>\n

PREROGATIVE OF MERCY<\/p>\n

That provision states; \u2018The Governor General may, in His Majesty\u2019s name, and on His Majesty\u2019s behalf; (a) \u2018Grant to any person convicted of any offence against any law, a pardon, either free or subject to lawful conditions.\u2019 The sentence of the Court and a willingness by the Governor General to exercise \u2018His Majesty\u2019s Prerogative of Mercy\u2019 has long been constitutionalized. Most profound has been the provision that states; \u2018The Governor General may substitute a less severe form of punishment for that imposed for any sentence for such an offence\u2019 [CO: 1981: Section 84 (i) (a): (c)].<\/p>\n

CONCLUSION<\/p>\n

Since its enactment and two-year period of operation of the \u2018Criminal Proceedings (Trial by Judge Alone) Act,\u2019 has expired, no \u2018Criminal Assizes Courts Judge\u2019 has ever ventured to hold \u2018Juryless Murder Trials.\u2019 Even as the enactment provides for \u2018Judge Alone Trials,\u2019 those participated shall have had clear understanding that no legal or judicial authority currently exists or resides with \u2018Trial Judges\u2019 to conduct \u2018Juryless Murder Trials.\u2019 In their anxieties and uncertainties, trepidation and expectation, that which shall be borne in mind, is that criminal trials have always been about; (a) \u2018The search for truth and dispensation of justice; (b) Justification or liability for the act of criminality; and most importantly; (c) That it shall manifestly appear that Justice was done.\u2019 These have not only represented the harsh realities of life, but also invariably confront the \u2018Child of Blessing\u2019 and the \u2018Child of Woe.\u2019 All may now sing; \u2018Bless the Name of Jesus.\u2019<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Jeffrey Daniel: An Experimental Juryless Murder Trial BY Rawlston Pompey Within the Judiciary, and by extension, the wider society, the focus of functional attention has been placed on an ancestral child, Nigerian-born and trained jurist, \u2018His Lordship, Justice Tunde Ademola Bakre.\u2019 He has broken barrier. Research into his appointment revealed this Magazine \u2018Law and Society\u2019 […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":189820,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-189727","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"yoast_head":"\nCOMMENTARY: Jeffrey Daniel: An Experimental Juryless Murder Trial - Antigua News Room<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/commentary-jeffrey-daniel-an-experimental-juryless-murder-trial\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"COMMENTARY: Jeffrey Daniel: An Experimental Juryless Murder Trial\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Jeffrey Daniel: An Experimental Juryless Murder Trial BY Rawlston Pompey Within the Judiciary, and by extension, the wider society, the focus of functional attention has been placed on an ancestral child, Nigerian-born and trained jurist, \u2018His Lordship, Justice Tunde Ademola Bakre.\u2019 He has broken barrier. Research into his appointment revealed this Magazine \u2018Law and Society\u2019 […]\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/commentary-jeffrey-daniel-an-experimental-juryless-murder-trial\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Antigua News Room\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/antiguanewsroom\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2023-11-07T21:34:10+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2023-11-07T22:26:16+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/mlavawteztbj.i.optimole.com\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Screenshot-2023-11-07-at-5.19.44-PM-1024x931.png\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1024\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"931\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/png\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Editor\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@AntiguaNewsRoom\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@AntiguaNewsRoom\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Editor\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"17 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/commentary-jeffrey-daniel-an-experimental-juryless-murder-trial\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/commentary-jeffrey-daniel-an-experimental-juryless-murder-trial\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Editor\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/#\/schema\/person\/36cac05ef6398fe56ae3e6317f8535c5\"},\"headline\":\"COMMENTARY: Jeffrey Daniel: An Experimental Juryless Murder Trial\",\"datePublished\":\"2023-11-07T21:34:10+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2023-11-07T22:26:16+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/commentary-jeffrey-daniel-an-experimental-juryless-murder-trial\/\"},\"wordCount\":3675,\"commentCount\":1,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/commentary-jeffrey-daniel-an-experimental-juryless-murder-trial\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/mlavawteztbj.i.optimole.com\/w:1188\/h:1080\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Screenshot-2023-11-07-at-5.19.44-PM.png\",\"articleSection\":[\"News\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/commentary-jeffrey-daniel-an-experimental-juryless-murder-trial\/#respond\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/commentary-jeffrey-daniel-an-experimental-juryless-murder-trial\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/commentary-jeffrey-daniel-an-experimental-juryless-murder-trial\/\",\"name\":\"COMMENTARY: Jeffrey Daniel: An Experimental Juryless Murder Trial - Antigua News Room\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/commentary-jeffrey-daniel-an-experimental-juryless-murder-trial\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/commentary-jeffrey-daniel-an-experimental-juryless-murder-trial\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/mlavawteztbj.i.optimole.com\/w:1188\/h:1080\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Screenshot-2023-11-07-at-5.19.44-PM.png\",\"datePublished\":\"2023-11-07T21:34:10+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2023-11-07T22:26:16+00:00\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/commentary-jeffrey-daniel-an-experimental-juryless-murder-trial\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/commentary-jeffrey-daniel-an-experimental-juryless-murder-trial\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/commentary-jeffrey-daniel-an-experimental-juryless-murder-trial\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/mlavawteztbj.i.optimole.com\/w:1188\/h:1080\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Screenshot-2023-11-07-at-5.19.44-PM.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/mlavawteztbj.i.optimole.com\/w:1188\/h:1080\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Screenshot-2023-11-07-at-5.19.44-PM.png\",\"width\":2031,\"height\":1846,\"caption\":\"Daniel\"},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/commentary-jeffrey-daniel-an-experimental-juryless-murder-trial\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"COMMENTARY: Jeffrey Daniel: An Experimental Juryless Murder Trial\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/\",\"name\":\"Antigua News Room\",\"description\":\"News As It Happens\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/#organization\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/#organization\",\"name\":\"Antigua Newsroom\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/mlavawteztbj.i.optimole.com\/w:1080\/h:1080\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/IMG_1584.jpeg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/mlavawteztbj.i.optimole.com\/w:1080\/h:1080\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/IMG_1584.jpeg\",\"width\":1260,\"height\":1260,\"caption\":\"Antigua Newsroom\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/\"},\"sameAs\":[\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/antiguanewsroom\",\"https:\/\/x.com\/AntiguaNewsRoom\",\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/antiguanewsroom\/\"]},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/#\/schema\/person\/36cac05ef6398fe56ae3e6317f8535c5\",\"name\":\"Editor\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/ad516503a11cd5ca435acc9bb6523536?s=96\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/ad516503a11cd5ca435acc9bb6523536?s=96\",\"caption\":\"Editor\"},\"url\":\"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/author\/editor\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO Premium plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"COMMENTARY: Jeffrey Daniel: An Experimental Juryless Murder Trial - Antigua News Room","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/commentary-jeffrey-daniel-an-experimental-juryless-murder-trial\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"COMMENTARY: Jeffrey Daniel: An Experimental Juryless Murder Trial","og_description":"Jeffrey Daniel: An Experimental Juryless Murder Trial BY Rawlston Pompey Within the Judiciary, and by extension, the wider society, the focus of functional attention has been placed on an ancestral child, Nigerian-born and trained jurist, \u2018His Lordship, Justice Tunde Ademola Bakre.\u2019 He has broken barrier. Research into his appointment revealed this Magazine \u2018Law and Society\u2019 […]","og_url":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/commentary-jeffrey-daniel-an-experimental-juryless-murder-trial\/","og_site_name":"Antigua News Room","article_publisher":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/antiguanewsroom","article_published_time":"2023-11-07T21:34:10+00:00","article_modified_time":"2023-11-07T22:26:16+00:00","og_image":[{"width":1024,"height":931,"url":"https:\/\/mlavawteztbj.i.optimole.com\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Screenshot-2023-11-07-at-5.19.44-PM-1024x931.png","type":"image\/png"}],"author":"Editor","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_creator":"@AntiguaNewsRoom","twitter_site":"@AntiguaNewsRoom","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Editor","Est. reading time":"17 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/commentary-jeffrey-daniel-an-experimental-juryless-murder-trial\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/commentary-jeffrey-daniel-an-experimental-juryless-murder-trial\/"},"author":{"name":"Editor","@id":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/#\/schema\/person\/36cac05ef6398fe56ae3e6317f8535c5"},"headline":"COMMENTARY: Jeffrey Daniel: An Experimental Juryless Murder Trial","datePublished":"2023-11-07T21:34:10+00:00","dateModified":"2023-11-07T22:26:16+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/commentary-jeffrey-daniel-an-experimental-juryless-murder-trial\/"},"wordCount":3675,"commentCount":1,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/#organization"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/commentary-jeffrey-daniel-an-experimental-juryless-murder-trial\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/mlavawteztbj.i.optimole.com\/w:1188\/h:1080\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Screenshot-2023-11-07-at-5.19.44-PM.png","articleSection":["News"],"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"CommentAction","name":"Comment","target":["https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/commentary-jeffrey-daniel-an-experimental-juryless-murder-trial\/#respond"]}]},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/commentary-jeffrey-daniel-an-experimental-juryless-murder-trial\/","url":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/commentary-jeffrey-daniel-an-experimental-juryless-murder-trial\/","name":"COMMENTARY: Jeffrey Daniel: An Experimental Juryless Murder Trial - Antigua News Room","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/commentary-jeffrey-daniel-an-experimental-juryless-murder-trial\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/commentary-jeffrey-daniel-an-experimental-juryless-murder-trial\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/mlavawteztbj.i.optimole.com\/w:1188\/h:1080\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Screenshot-2023-11-07-at-5.19.44-PM.png","datePublished":"2023-11-07T21:34:10+00:00","dateModified":"2023-11-07T22:26:16+00:00","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/commentary-jeffrey-daniel-an-experimental-juryless-murder-trial\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/commentary-jeffrey-daniel-an-experimental-juryless-murder-trial\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/commentary-jeffrey-daniel-an-experimental-juryless-murder-trial\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/mlavawteztbj.i.optimole.com\/w:1188\/h:1080\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Screenshot-2023-11-07-at-5.19.44-PM.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/mlavawteztbj.i.optimole.com\/w:1188\/h:1080\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Screenshot-2023-11-07-at-5.19.44-PM.png","width":2031,"height":1846,"caption":"Daniel"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/commentary-jeffrey-daniel-an-experimental-juryless-murder-trial\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"COMMENTARY: Jeffrey Daniel: An Experimental Juryless Murder Trial"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/#website","url":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/","name":"Antigua News Room","description":"News As It Happens","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/#organization","name":"Antigua Newsroom","url":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/mlavawteztbj.i.optimole.com\/w:1080\/h:1080\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/IMG_1584.jpeg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/mlavawteztbj.i.optimole.com\/w:1080\/h:1080\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/IMG_1584.jpeg","width":1260,"height":1260,"caption":"Antigua Newsroom"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"},"sameAs":["https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/antiguanewsroom","https:\/\/x.com\/AntiguaNewsRoom","https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/antiguanewsroom\/"]},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/#\/schema\/person\/36cac05ef6398fe56ae3e6317f8535c5","name":"Editor","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/ad516503a11cd5ca435acc9bb6523536?s=96","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/ad516503a11cd5ca435acc9bb6523536?s=96","caption":"Editor"},"url":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/author\/editor\/"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/anr-api\/wp\/v2\/posts\/189727","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/anr-api\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/anr-api\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/anr-api\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/anr-api\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=189727"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/anr-api\/wp\/v2\/posts\/189727\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/anr-api\/wp\/v2\/media\/189820"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/anr-api\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=189727"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/anr-api\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=189727"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/anr-api\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=189727"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}