AG defends Commissioner

KINGSTON, Jamaica, Mar 5, CMC – Attorney General Patrick Atkinson says Jamaicans need to know the truth as to what occurred during the attempt by security forces to arrest Christopher “Dudus” Coke, who was wanted in the United States on drug and gun related charges.

Atkinson also dismissed suggestions that former OECS Supreme Court judge, Justice Velma Hylton was biased and that she should be removed from the three-member Commission of Enquiry set up to probe the circumstances that led to the 2010 West Kingston incursion that left more than 70 people dead.
Opposition legislators Tuesday walked out in protest, but in a statement Atkinson said “if there was the slightest hint of anything that would render Ms. Hylton inappropriate for this Commission of Enquiry, she would not have been recommended to the Governor General.

“It is important to add that Ms Hylton is one of three Commissioners each distinguished in their own right and we take notice of the fact that one of the most significant features of a Commissioner of Enquiry (COE) is that the public will have an opportunity to see and hear the witnesses as they testify and observe them as they are cross examined”.

Atkinson said that every Jamaican would be able to form his or her own opinion as to what took place in West Kingston in May of 2010.