Budram’s Attorney: Fairness Has to Be Ensured to Offer Closure to Both Sides

Arthur Saldivar

Budram was taken into custody over the weekend and his attorney, Arthur Saldivar, says that while he thought Budram was kept in custody for longer than was necessary, the authorities treated him fairly and accommodated him when he needed to take care of other matters while in detention. Saldivar says that given the sensitive nature of the case, he just wants to see that fairness is given to both sides, so that there may be closure for all parties concerned. 

Arthur Saldivar, Attorney for Mervin Budram

“The authorities were very accommodating in respect of Mr Budram having issues prior to him being detained, that he needed to address and he was given an opportunity to have that be done. Now it was unfortunate that when he surrendered himself to the authorities that he was detained for a number of days, which in my estimation could have been avoided, but considering that that’s now past, I cannot say that there was any incident of abuse meted out to him. Sufficed to say, Mr Budram asserts his innocence of these charges and he’s seeking to have his day in court, where these matters will be ventilated and he will be given a chance to have his side be heard.  You know, the nature of these accusations is such that given the length of time that has taken place in between when the allegations surrounding the incidents occurred and now that they’ve been brought [forth], it’s a wide chasm, so a lot has happened between that time: counseling, persons have sought to improve themselves, and a lot has transpired. Again, it is difficult for me to say anything in respect of this matter it is of a delicate nature and I certainly would not want to be in any way tagged as being insensitive to those who believe they were violated and certainly it is to be appreciated that given that these persons were of tender years at the time, and those feelings may still be raw and all we want right now is to ensure that there’s a process of fairness where the matters can be dealt with in a way that closure can be brought to both sides.”