Mr. David S. Brandt
by Bennette Roach
Attorney-at-Law David S. Brandt, a former chief minister of Montserrat was released on $20,000 bail on Monday, September 21, 2015, after he appeared in court on sexually related charges allegedly involving minors dating back to 2010.
He was known as ‘the man of the people’ and still popularly referred to politically as, ‘The Heavy Roller’. That was during his service as a legislator, elected in 1983 until he opted not to contest the elections 2001 under a new system in 2001; then again
from 2006 to 2009 when Chief Minister Dr. Lowell Lewis asked for elections to give the government a new start.
Lawyer David S. Brandt, served as chief minister of this British Overseas territory from 1997-2001, and in recent times considered the most prominent attorney in Montserrat, but early on Friday, he was arrested on suspicion of sexually related matters and held on until Monday morning when he was charged with one count of conspiracy to have unlawful sexual intercourse with a girl under the age of sixteen years based on developments that took place between April and September of 2015; and another count with having unlawful sexual intercourse with a girl under the age of sixteen years in 2010, both being indictable offences. Brandt is represented by Attorneys Kharl Markham and Marcelle Watts.
The prominent attorney who had majored in commercial law before emerging as a full practicing attorney in 1978, a former chief Minister, now holds the position of the third longest serving legislator behind former Chief Ministers John Osborne, deceased and Reuben T.Meade who still serves from 1991 and currently is leader of Her Majesty’s Opposition, having a year ago lost his government in general elections to the People’s Democratic Movement (PDM).
Brandt was released on EC$10,000 on each count and as part of the bail conditions he is restricted from making any contact with any of the witnesses in the case either in person, or through any of his servants or agents.
Reports on Friday said that law enforcement officials from Britain’s Scotland Yard had arrived in connection with the investigations leading to the arrest, but this was denied by the Royal Montserrat Police Force who had escorted the attorney from his home early Friday morning. What is correct is that they were assisted, not for the first time, by members of the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service who it was also reported arrived only the day before on the island as part of a multi-jurisdictional investigative team probing the allegations against Brandt.
Upon his release ZJB reported that on interview with the attorney from his home in Olveston, where he and his wife are neighbours to Attorney Warren Cassell, former Premier Reuben Meade and TMR Editor Bennette Roach, he spoke briefly about his arrest and the charges.
“I have to tell Radio Montserrat (ZJB) that I am not guilty, and in the fullness of time it would be shown that I am not guilty,” he said, adding that he cannot add, “anymore on anything.”
He said further however, “They arrested me on suspicion on Friday morning. They questioned me on Friday night and kept me until this morning (Monday) without asking me any other question or anything like that; and this morning the law said they had to charge me which they did and took me before the court but I’m not guilty of anything.”
In other reports suggesting that other off-shore investigators had arrived on island and may well be looking into other matters besides the charges that were laid against him, Brandt, when asked about this possibility, said that any other matters which they may allegedly be looking into are of no concern to him, as he has nothing to hide from the authorities. These suggestions followed reports that the lawyer’s office, so too his home, were searched and items such as files and computers removed, along with decades of speculation with no direct accusations or allegations that Brandt has somehow been involved in doubtful off shore banking activities, less so than rumours which surfaced back in 2010 and for which he is now likely charged.
On the conditions of his bail, Brandt himself in another report said that the bail conditions were put in place to prevent him from coming into contact with anyone who many stand as witnesses against him. He is restricted from making contact with any of the witnesses in the case, either in person, or via any of his servants or agents.
Also, the Attorney is to be granted leave to travel to Antigua, October 9-12, 2015 to receive his Honourary Doctorate, conferred by the University of the West Indies. Local law enforcement in Antigua must be informed of his location no less than three times daily while he is there.
Meanwhile, in developments following the arrest and charges and bail, there is a call on the University of the West Indies to cancel the awarding of an Honorary Doctorate to lawyer David Brandt.
The award was announced recently and Mr. Brandt is expected to receive this next month, but so far several persons have supported a launched petition, addressed to the University of the West Indies Vice Chancellor Sir Hillary Beckles.
Brandt arrested again, along with his wife
As if that was not enough to add to the major events of September (to be remembered) in Montserrat, along with the verbal resignation of a leading member of the PDM government, our press time was delayed, with the news that Brandt and his wife were arrested this evening.
Reports are that police visited the home of the couple in Olveston, Montserrat earlier today with a search warrant for the second time in seven days.
Approximately twelve (12) police officers conducted the search in different groups and even though Mr. and Mrs. Brandt were at the house they were reportedly not able to witness the search in its entirety as the officers divided into multiple small groups and were simultaneously searching different rooms.
During the search of a bedroom the police reportedly found a firearm for which there was no license. Mr. Brandt said later he had previously surrendered his licensed firearm when he was arrested last Friday. The former Chief Minister and his wife were surprised at the discovery of the firearm and have denied the charges.
Both the wife and Mr. Brandt were released late Friday night.
In the meantime the buzz on this occasion by people, are questions about the actions of the police who executed the warrant last Friday (18th) at the same house prior to the arrest of the Attorney-at-law.
