It’s not right! Bishop Cline slams DPP ‘witch hunts’
Bishop John Cline has accused the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) of wasting public funds on failed cases and appeals, calling for an end to what he described as “witch hunt” prosecutions that keep people off the job for years.
Cline said several current and former public servants remain sidelined on full or half pay while cases drag on.
“All of these people are either on full pay or half pay… these people want to work,” he said. He added, “It’s not right… sometimes some of these things just seem like they are a witch hunt against our own people, and they need to stop,” he urged.
He pointed to matters involving former Customs Commissioner Wade Smith and others, and cited long delays.
“Roberto Harrigan’s case has been going on for 14 years,” he said. He estimated payouts after recent defeats could be large: “The estimated costs that government has to pay these people will probably exceed a million dollars,” he argued.
Cline also highlighted the personal strain on defendants.
“These people can’t even go to the bank and get a loan,” he explained. “Some of them, their passports have been confiscated… their personal liberties are being compromised,” he added.
His comments follow years of courtroom reversals that have drawn scrutiny of the DPP’s litigation choices. In March 2022, the DPP filed an appeal after the High Court upheld a no-case submission for interdicted police officers Pamphill Prevost and Simon Power in a conspiracy to steal trial.
In December 2022, the DPP appealed a magistrate’s dismissal of a related perjury case against a police witness. And in April 2022, three high-profile matters—including the Prevost and Power retrial—were thrown out for lack of evidence, with the Crown indicating it would appeal.
Cline referenced a report on the outcome of one appeal. “It says the DPP appeal against no case decision for Prevost and Power was dismissed,” he stated.
The DPP’s office has said it is entitled to challenge rulings under the Criminal Procedure Ordinance, a position that has been reported in previous cases. The DPP has appeared in several high-profile matters, including the 2023 court appearance of former Education Minister Myron Walwyn on charges of breach of trust—another case that was dismissed and later appealed.
Cline said acquitted people should be allowed to move on.
“You’re innocent until proven guilty, and when the court finds you not guilty, especially as a private citizen, then let the people go live their lives,” he urged.
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Says the wizard.
Well said Bishop. The DPP needs to be fired ASAP
Wild goose chases
HERE COMES THE WANNABE HOLY BIShUP, WHO HAS FORGOTTEN ALL ABOUT GOD / AND NOW PLAYING JUDGE HOLINESS IN THE POLITICAL ARENA / HYPOCRITE YOU NEED TO GET AQUAINTED WITH THE TRUTH , BECAUSE IT SEEMS LIKE YOU LOST A ” SEED ” . REPENT HEATHEN , WE DONE SEE WHATS BEHIND YOUR MASK
There, But Empty-Handed
I do not often agree with Pastor Grind,
our views diverge, our paths untwine
but here I nod, for truth was said,
the DPP has bled us red.
If you were there, robed and sworn,
your files in hand, your case well-worn
yet still the gavel struck no case,
what greater shame, what harsher place?
Prevost, Power… you took the stand,
yet truth slipped out like grains of sand.
Appeals were filed, dismissals stayed,
but proof was absent, debts were paid.
W Smith’s name, Harrigan’s years,
paraded lives through courts of tears.
Myron too, called to account,
but evidence failed, it would not mount.
It damns you more to stand and fail,
than never mount a weak travail.
For presence without proof is worse
a hollow crown, the people’s curse.
For justice mocked is justice dead,
and wasted funds are tears we shed.
On this, with Cline, I must agree
the DPP’s a mockery.
I fall in love each time.. I am in awe of the English language thanks to your no less than genius ability and creativity..Thank You!
Fighting criminality ain’t cheap but neither is chasing acquitted citizens through appeals that yield no convictions, stall careers, and drain the public purse. Justice must cost what it’s worth, not what ego demands. Because when the public purse funds these courtroom reruns with no new evidence, it’s not justice, it’s ego on appeal.
Dude, I take my hat off to you again.
But that said, the crying shame in all the cases (probably with the exception of Walwyn) the DPP DOES NOT appear in court. She pays for some overseas high-priced lawyers to do the High Court as well as Court of Appeal cases. A crying shame I say.
I appreciate the love, and I totally agree. But even if she does not personally appear, those hired or appearing on behalf of the office can only represent the DPP’s office if she is comfortable with the case, the evidence, and the prosecution plan. Otherwise, it should not go forward. In a word—the buck stops with her. 🙂
Boss all those people he mentioned is corrupted I don’t care What appeal they won time longer than twine let the go confess openly before God see the results
give those accused a lie detector test and see how
many would pass. pastor please let the legal system do their work.
Uh huh okay in other news rite way increase the price on them sausage yet again
Price control when?
As the former Superintendent of HM Prison, I once voiced my concerns about an inmate going to court for a long time and every time the inmate went to court the case was adjourned. I asked if there was a case to answer and legal minded people seem to have gotten offended but it didn’t matter to me. Fair and reasonable is fair and reasonable.