U.D.P.’s Michael Peyrefitte heads Ralph Fonseca’s defense
He is a former Minister of Finance, Budget Management, Public Utilities, Police, B.D.F., Housing and a long list of other portfolios and many agree that in the height of his political career he commanded the corridors of power in Belmopan. But today Ralph Fonseca was brought to Court under heavy escort by the very force he once headed. After he presented himself to the police, he was taken to the Magistrates’ Court thronged by his chief lieutenants and was slapped with the single charge of Theft in connection with the U.S. ten million dollars from Venezuela to the government last December. While the air in the proceedings was sombre, there was enough political drama outside when Fonseca’s lead attorney took centre stage. Marion Ali reports from Belmopan.
Michael Peyrefitte, Lead Attorney, Ralph Fonseca
“I am here as the lead defense attorney for Ralph Fonseca and that’s it.”
Marion Ali, Reporting
If we had reported that U.D.P Freetown standard bearer and Lik Road co-host, Michael Peyrefitte made that statement, you probably would not have believed it right? But as they say, “Politics is the Art of the Impossible” and today Michael Peyrefitte seems to have had a change of heart about Ralph Fonseca.
As nothing less than his lead defense attorney against a charge of Theft over the Venezuelan funds, Peyrefitte accompanied Fonseca to face his first day in the Belmopan Magistrate’s Court.
Fonseca’s other attorney’s, Richard Dickie Bradley and Peyrefitte’s very own political rival in Freetown, and Fonseca’s nephew, Francis Fonseca, were also present. Peyrefitte explained to reporters that while the court of public opinion may have convicted Fonseca, a court of law is a whole different story.
Michael Peyrefitte
“As much as the public are emotional about these issues that once we get to a court of law the issue is different. And I believe that no matter who it is; whether it’s Yellow Man, whether it’s Easy Glenn, whether it’s Ralph Fonseca it doesn’t matter. I believe that charges should be leveled against people provided that they have the evidence to support those charges and secondly, everybody is entitled to a defence.”
Jules Vasquez, Channel Seven
“This is the guy you said “we wah shut ah down, mek wi go pull di switch, it was Ralph Fonseca”.”
Michael Peyrefitte
“I said pull the switch on B.E.L. and B.T.L. and WASA, I didn’t say anything.”
Jules Vasquez
“But he was the person behind all of it.”
Michael Peyrefitte
“Well, you know more than me. I don’t know that.”
In court, Magistrate Earl Jones read Fonseca the charge of Theft and informed that it was indictable at the Supreme Court level. Like Said Musa yesterday, Fonseca too was confident that the charge was politically motivated.
Ralph Fonseca, Charged with Theft
“This is yet another outrageous yet characteristic U.D.P. political persecution. Anyone, anyone at all that knows the real facts will also know that this charge is ridiculous. I’m confident and I’ve been assured by my legal counsel that this will be proven to be ridiculous. We all know for the last twenty years, I have been in the center of the greatest political movement in Belize. We have won many battles and we have built Belize for the benefit of thousand—hundreds of thousand of Belizeans. In the process we made many fantastic friends but we also made many dangerous enemies. Those enemies must realise that I know exactly who they are and I will be praying for all of them that they be relieved of that paint from which they suffer from the hate of Ralph Fonseca and his accomplishments. This charge is ridiculous but now we must respect the system of the courts. I will be vindicated and then we will talk again.”
Confident too was Peyrefitte of their case.
Michael Peyrefitte
“The Magistrate is the chief occupier of that seat when it comes to a preliminary enquiry. He will look at the evidence and see whether there is sufficient evidence to warrant a charge or it goes before the Supreme Court. Whether it goes before a jury or not, it makes no difference to me.”
But Director of Public Prosecutions, Cheryl-Lynn Branker-Taitt, was also satisfied that Theft is the proper charge to lay against Fonseca and the other defendant, Said Musa.
Cheryl-Lynn Branker-Taitt, D.P.P.
“I considered every possible offence that could have been charged and Theft is the most appropriate.”
Jules Vasquez
“So there are—and I guess this is obvious—but there are sufficient grounds, you are certain, for theft?”
Cheryl-Lynn Branker-Taitt
“Or else why would I have directed that he be charged with Theft?”
Jules Vasquez
“A lot of times people are charged and the prosecution isn’t successful for a variety of reasons.”
Cheryl-Lynn Branker-Taitt
“For a variety of reasons, yes. In this case it certainly won’t be because the charge is incorrect. We think we have enough evidence to establish the elements of the offence. I don’t see that we will have any problems at the preliminary inquiry in establishing a prima facie case.”
Outside the courtroom, Ralph Fonseca’s fans numbered to around fifty, about half of Musa’s supporters on Thursday. The police presence was heavy and the number of escorts from the Belmopan Police Station to the courthouse was huge, around twenty or so. Magistrate Jones offered Fonseca bail of a hundred thousand dollars and adjourned the case until January twenty-sixth. Reporting for News Five, Marion Ali.
Fonseca’s next court date is scheduled for January sixteenth, 2009.
