LETTER: Justice or Judgement? Community Divided Over Wendel’s Representation of Mejia

1. I did not even read the whole article. What was done to this young child is reprehensible, but every accused is entitled to representación. Time to stop the foolishness, we should be more than that

2. Justice knows no color, race, religion, politics, politician, nor social status.
   Though some have influenced Justice with their largesse, it should not have happened and defeats the very system they claim to safeguard.
   Why should one be offended by Wendell Robinson’s decision to represent the accused while at the same time acknowledging the principle that one is innocent until proven guilty?
   A crime is a crime.
   For anyone who finds difficulty or issues with Robinson’s decision to represent the young lady i urge you to ask yourself this question, “would you have the same concerns if the accused was your family member?
   Justice is not selective.
   Justice is not about emotions.
   It is not a process that should be manipulated to suit personal interests.
   Rather we must see it as the result of a fair process by a duly recognized and competent court.
   When we begin to see it as such we will not have issues with any lawyer who is approached taking up a case to represent anyone who is still considered innocent.
   Do you work Mr Wendell Glenroy Alexander ¡!!!!!!!!!!!!

3. What do you think? This man spent years in the police force, and know all the knacks like politicians ordering the mishandling of crime seen to create a different outcome at the courts, all the political instructions between the judiciary and politicians, he knows quite a lot to get things in his favor, I can remember the late Elton Martin, at his 5 am in the morning report each day to Lester back then as prime minister, he would get some expletives each mornings and have to humbly answer yes sir to the prime minister at the time. Their is a lot of political machinations behind the police work the reason why vere Brown returned to the virgin islands, and Mr Pompey and Mr Burnett keep them corner.
   So Wendell can navigate the loop holes and our do the police because obviously he knows the technical weaknesses of the police posits on empirical evidence.

4. What do you think? This man spent years in the police force, and know all the knacks like politicians ordering the mishandling of crime seen to create a different outcome at the courts, all the political instructions between the judiciary and politicians, he knows quite a lot to get things in his favor, I can remember the late Elton Martin, at his 5 am in the morning report each day to Lester back then as prime minister, he would get some expletives each mornings and have to humbly answer yes sir to the prime minister at the time. Their is a lot of political machinations behind the police work the reason why vere Brown returned to the virgin islands, and Mr Pompey and Mr Burnett keep them corner.
   So Wendell can navigate the loop holes and out do the police because obviously he knows the technical weaknesses of the police posits on empirical evidence.

5. No matter how heinous the crime, she is entitled to representation.
   The crown ( must prove her guilty) beyond a reasonable doubt.
   We will probably never know exactly what happened in that case.
   She will not implicate herself in any crime.
   It’s going to be interesting to see what happens here 🤔

6. I think what we’re all afraid of is not Wendell representing her…it’s the people that represent the crown.

7. The question of whether a defense lawyer should be removed from a murder trial because he previously served as a prosecutor and as Commissioner of Police requires a careful balance between fairness, perception of justice, and the right of the accused to counsel of choice.

   At its core, the criminal justice system guarantees an accused person the right to legal representation. This right is not easily curtailed. Courts are generally reluctant to disqualify defense counsel unless there is an apparent conflict of interest, a demonstrated breach of professional ethics, or a real and substantial risk to the integrity of the proceedings. The mere fact that a lawyer once worked as a prosecutor or held a senior policing role does not automatically disqualify him from defending a client.

   That said, the prosecution may reasonably raise concerns if the lawyer’s prior positions create either:

   A conflict of interest – for example, if he had direct involvement in investigating or prosecuting the very case now before the court (which he did does not), or if he has access to confidential prosecution strategies or privileged police files that were not disclosed through proper discovery channels, continues to have unauthorized access through back channels.

   An appearance of unfairness, his presence could undermine public confidence in the impartiality of the trial, particularly where his inside knowledge of policing methods, investigative weaknesses, or prosecutorial discretion could be seen as giving him an undue advantage.

   However, the idea that his past roles automatically enable him to distort the facts of the case is tenuous. A defense lawyer, no matter his background, is bound by professional codes of conduct and the rules of evidence. He cannot fabricate, conceal, or misrepresent facts without risking sanctions or disbarment. His experience may make him more effective at cross-examining police witnesses or identifying investigative flaws. Still, effectiveness does not equate to distortion, it is part of robust defense advocacy.

   Ultimately, unless the prosecution can show that the lawyer’s prior service creates a real conflict of interest in the specific case or gives him access to confidential, case-related information that compromises fairness, the court is unlikely to remove him. To do so solely based on his career history would risk undermining the accused’s constitutional right to choose counsel and would set a troubling precedent that punishes lawyers for professional experience.

   The prosecution may apply to the court for removal, but such an application must be based on more than speculation about an unfair advantage. Past service as a prosecutor or Commissioner of Police does not, by itself, justify disqualification. The integrity of the trial depends not on removing capable lawyers but on ensuring that all parties abide by the rules of disclosure, evidence, and ethical advocacy.

8. Morality and legality demands she gets competent representation. I do think attorney W.R. is competent but in a matter like this, he should not be the ONLY defense attorney for this defendant.

   I say this because of the intense local unfair bias and discriminatory publicity. It is mandatory for an outside attorneys/legal experts and social/behavioral scientist to participate in this matter (or else clear legal malpractice would be evident). In a matter, with such defendant (spanish in a black community with clear biases against Latinos locally), you must have a team for her. Not just one great attorney but a team of the best.

   This woman, according to what is being published here, is sitting in jail/prison when the government had zero evidence on whether there was an homicide as manner/causation/proximate/actual cause of death has not been determined.

   Who is responsible for this horrific constitutional and human right violation MUST be put in jail/prison. You can’t abuse your authority and definitely not in this egregious and outrageous manner.

   I thank attorney W.R. for stepping up and doing the right thing. We need more experts to do this and form a team.

9. Justice for Chantal Crump!!!
   Bring back the death penalty!!!

10. The charges for the accused will be abduction/kidnapping (weak charge) and disposal of a corpse. If she’s found guilty and most likely will be, there will be appeals. At this juncture of this case, it looks like the accused could walk out free with time served.

11. The person operating under the name EDUCATE ME, I don’t know who you are but the way in which this article is written and constructed, I believe I know the writer. EDUCATE ME I say to you well said. Three cheers to you. Keep educating the general public. You made my day. Angela is innocent until proven guilty. Remember the case of the computer challenger Yacht murder, where more than one tourist were murdered in cold blood, the public never object for the accused persons to have legal representation. Remember again the Melanie’s murder, no one objected for the accused persons to have legal representation. The accused persons were all Antiguans and they were found guilty in a competent court in Antigua. My question is, why now raising alarm thst Angela should not have a Lawyer to represent her. Is it because she is a native of the Dominican Republic ? ,if that is the case well wheel and come again. Stop selecting who should get legal representation in a murder trial. If Angela ever, and i repeat ever, appear before a court for trial without a Lawyer, that case can never call and if it continues, thst case will be dismissed.

12. He coulda say no. Not every dollar worth it. Some cases stain your name foreve

13. Every man and woman deserve a lawyer. That’s how justice works. Wendel just doing he job, nothing more, nothing less

14. Me fed up with these big lawyers acting like saints. Justice slow, but God nah sleep

15. Wendell is by far one of the best defense lawyers on island and I admire him immensely; however, the nature of the crime has me in my feelings because I don’t think the accused deserves his caliber of counsel and I am terrified that she will walk as a result of it. Yes, everyone deserves their day in court, but I am quite conflicted on this one ya.

16. Inna small place like Antigua, you can’t separate morals from law so easy. Wendel might be right in theory, but the optics bad bad

17. Why he put himself in this? He might win legally but lose socially. Sometimes you have to think about reputation too

18. Hmmmmmm interesting prospective

19. I really do not understand the big issue about Wendell representing the accused young lady. The family approaced Wendell for legal representation and he accepted. However, she is a murder accused and if they could not afford an attorney the government (us taxpayers) would have to pay for one. I say better the family pay than the government.

20. Gruesome murders of the innocent, especially a child is always heart braking.
    This young child Chantal’s death over took the national attention, given she was kidnapped and her faith was unaccounted for until her lifeless body was recovered.

    The media perpetuated the false narrative about trial justice and retribution; while the authorities jumped into the emotional band wagon.

    While this article and many of the comments acknowledges the false narrative about Justice thst has been purposefully spread; and the appropriateness of Councilor Robinson Alexander representation. It’s too little too late.

    The miseducation and misinformation allowed and promoted by the media with regards to justice was already imbedded.

    Rather than being informative by simply promoting that accused must have and will have legal representation; it enabled the misinformated and miseducated to have their day.
    The perpetuation of the ignorant-ignorance about Alexander who specializes in legal defense, further demonstrates the unwillingness to take a responsible position on issues of public interest.

    I admire Mr. Alexander for choosing to be a defense attorney unlike the other ripp-off get rich quick that dominates the legal profession in Antigua and Barbuda.

    It was not too long ago the Attorney General pointed out Antigua and Barbuda is short of defence attorneys while encouraging young graduates to pursue legal defence as their area of specialty.
    Thank you to the writter, as well as the commentators who see fit to inform the uninformed. I just wish it was done sooner.

21. @ my way of helping,
    I don’t always agree with you, but you made a good point about being represented by a legal team.
    Look at the number of lawyers that represented the Government in the Alpha Nero case which was a civil case.
    Given the accused is a foreign National. A team of defence specialists with the ability to practice law in our local courts may be what this case needs.

    Richard Lewis, 35, of Willikies, had been facing murder charges in connection with the fatal stabbing of fellow villager. He just beat a murder rapp, when the DDP dropped the case. Where is the outcry? After 4 years the DOP dropped the case.
    Was it incompetence of the Government team?
    Might it happen in this case?
    If Mejia also beat the case against her, who will be blamed? The Police, the DDP or the defence attorneys?

22. @Little Johnny. Thank you for your kind words. However, I must emphasize that what troubles me most is not the emotional outcry surrounding this matter, but the increasingly apparent pattern in which Antigua and Barbuda seem to be diminishing our own decision-making capacity by substituting conjecture and sentiment for evidence, facts, and established international legal principles.

    It is extremely dangerous to flirt with the idea that the principles that have underpinned stable societies for centuries do not or should not apply to us. Due process, the presumption of innocence, and the right to legal representation are not optional privileges; they are fundamental rights that safeguard both justice and society itself.

    When we allow emotion, bias, or selective reasoning to dictate how these principles are applied, whether in Angela’s case or any other, we undermine the very framework that ensures fairness and credibility in our justice system. If this is not checked, Antigua and Barbuda will degrade to failed states like Haiti. We must stand firmly on principle, not bend under the pressure of popular sentiment or prejudice, or we will set precedents that erode the rule of law for everyone.

23. Every time I see this man functioning in our legal system, I remember him saying that he could not bring a charge against his mentor, who was the attorney general of this place.
    How he got away with that is amazing, but the fact that he did, and his mentor is one of the biggest destroyer of this blessed place breaks the spirit.
    He was employed to enforce law and order to the best of his ability in the nation’s interest, and he neglected his duty and got away with it. Now he is celebrating it by getting all these high profile cases.

    Whoever said that breaking the law doesn’t pay.

24. If it was your family she hurt, you would not talk about ‘fair trial.’ Stop defending wrongdoers

25. @ kayanne,
    Bill shit! He is the best criminal defense attorney on the island and among the best in the Eastern Caribbean.
    It’s his life experience of being socially ostracized which has meds him who is.
    He has a backbone of steel that other attorneys on the island do not have.

26. @my way of helping u are surely invested in this lightedskinned Spanish alleged murder. Guess what she till nar go dey wid u!!! Where is the energy for all the other muders up in jail!!! Why this hoë oh right a pretty Spanish girl like her can’t be a cold hearted killer!!! She kidnapped the people and den pikney and took the police to the poor child dead body. The bish is right where she deserves to be. Wendell can jump high and sink low that bitch nar get way. And u nar get nun Spanish wife u JERK!!!!!
    BOOKMARK THIS!!!!

27. His representation of this young lady may just bring down the hierarchy cause this young girl didn’t act alone… let’s wait and it..I am hoping it turn out to be real justice for the family and we as a nation get answers..

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