Lyndon swaps dock for hustings
(CNS): Although Lyndon Martin was supposed to face court on Monday morning for making a false accusation against a police officer, CNS has learned that the case has been delayed until September. However, Martin will be declaring himself as a candidate on Nomination Day for the district of Cayman Brac and Little Cayman. The former United Democratic Party MLA, who served in the LA between 2000-2005 as the second elected member for the Sister Islands, will be taking his chances alone as an independent candidate this time around.
CNS understands the delay in Martin’s trial is down to the prosecution, which is reportedly still not ready. Martin was arrested 12 months ago on 27 March, 2008 while he was working at Cayman Net News, and charged with 17 counts ranging from burglary to false accusations. Since that time most of the charges have been dropped and Martin now faces only two counts which both relate to accusations he made against Deputy Commissioner Anthony Ennis surrounding possible leaks to the paper.
While the accusations against Ennis were, according to the Special Police Investigation Team, unfounded, the prosecution must now demonstrate that Martin made the accusations knowing they were false. However, it appears that the former MLA has considerable evidence to demonstrate that he had every reason to believethe accusations he reported to the police commissioner at that time, Stuart Kernohan, were true.
Following Martin’s report to Kernohan, who has since been dismissed from post, he reportedly told Governor Stuart Jack, UK security officer for OTs in the Caribbean Larry Covington and Chief Superintendent John Jones about the concerns Martin had regarding Ennis. At some point following the report Martin, along with his colleague John Evans, a reporter from the same paper who also believed the allegations, tried to find concrete evidence by searching the office of the Editor in Chief, Desmond Seales. Nothing was found, however, and at some point the governor, Kernohan and Covington made a decision to bring in the Metropolitan Police from Scotland Yard.
The Scotland Yard team reportedly arrived in Cayman in September 2007 and worked undercover until that was blown, allegedly as a result of a relationship one of the original officers had with a resident. At that point, Martin was arrested and the UK officers revealed themselves to the Cayman public and suspended Kernohan, Jones and Deputy Commissioner Rudolph Dixon for unrelated offences. The officers also concluded that Ennis was not involved in a corrupt relationship with Seales.
During his suspension, Kernohan left the island because of the death of his father and has not returned since. With significant concerns about the way the investigation was being conducted, Kernohan did not respond to orders from the governor to return as in law he had no obligation to do so. He was dismissed, however, and although Kernohan’s legal team has remained in contact with the UK investigation team (SPIT) which is now employed by the Governor (in his role within the Cayman Government), he has not yet been interviewed regarding the case. Jones, who has remained on island suspended on full pay, has been interviewed but has not been dismissed or returned to post.
On Friday evening, James Smith told Finance Committee that issues regarding Operation Tempura were being wrapped up as soon as possible as SIO Martin Bridger was returning to the UK in April. Referring to the Rudolph Dixon case, which he said was the last trial, he said everything would therefore be completed by August. Consequently, either the prosecution intends to drop the case against Martin or no one told Smith about the delay.
Category: Election 2009
I think all of this is hilarious. If we can keep voting Julianna "I’m all for myself" O’Connor-Connolly, there’s no reason we can’t vote Lyndon back in.
We really need to start looking at what’s happening on the Brac, or better yet, what’s not happening! Where’s the play field? Where are the jobs? Where are all of the young Caymanians they were going to bring back?
Julianna has done her time, we have paid her enough money for selling us her families land and building houses for her family to live in. I’m happy to see she’s still alive, because I hadn’t seen her for about a year before Paloma (I don’t spend a lot of time in Watering Place).
I really wish there were people who could run in the Brac, who would be competition for the infamous "Julie". Maybe this year, if all the dead people don’t vote, or if they keep a close eye on the mail in ballotts and the shut in ballotts and don’t allow her followers to one vote her in for people who don’t know any better, maybe then, she won’t get back in office.
Come on Brackers, forget the Christian thing. Good for her that she’s a Christian… but what we need is a representative. Someone who will stand up for our little Islands. Someone who can speak without sounding scared and insecure. Someone who gives a crap about us and our lives and our futures! What we need is exactly what I thought Moses Kirkconnell would be, but unfortunately he’s faded into the background. Which is sad, because so many of us had such high hopes.
Best of luck to Lyndon. Best of luck to Maxine. Best of luck to Moses. Best of luck to the Brac when we’re stuck with the same representation that we had for the past 16 or so years.
Well said. No disrespect to Juliana but like Edna and others, they have served their time and it’s time to bow out gracefully. Do Brackers remember that Juliana once said that, if offered the position of Speaker of the House she would decline it and then proceeded (almost in the same breath to accept it)?
Lyndon is a worker and truly has the young people of Cayman Brac at heart (as well as the elderly and all other groups in between). Remember that his conviction is being appealed because he has always maintained his innocence. As for the SPIT fiasco, it is exactly that- a fiasco! If someone wanted to know who wrote letters to Net News, why not ask the Editor & Publisher in Chief. He is one and the same and ultimately responsible for every word that is contained in his newspaper (print or online).
Lyndon, there are many of us who know and support you. Let’s give them a real upset on May 20th.
I must agree with most of what you have said… except it is easy to tell you are not in the Brac. Can I answer some questions for you?! Young People – Mose got UCCI to open over here. Play field – used every Saturday to host football games. There are several Caymanians that have come back… I don’t have to name them but look around… they are here and helping the community and economy.
What is needed is someone who is worthwhile to run along with Moses. Julie, like milk, is expired. She needs to be taken off the shelf.
Lyndon – Why didn’t he stay in the Brac after he lost the last election? Do you become qualified as a politician when you go away and come back? Or do you have to be charged with a crime?
Maxine – What experience?
Mose – Faded???? are you blind? He is the only one out there that hasn’t gone away. Come on Brackers… Vote Moses as our first elected and see how much more our little island can prosper. Looking forward to 4 more of even greater accomplishments.
Hang on a minute this is a man who was convicted of an offence of dishonest last year! No wonder Cayman is going to pot. Add that to the other politician – Frank McField who says he want to tacke violent crime – the man who when in drink hurls racist abuse at the police (as his conviction in the summary court shows) and assault them (as his conviction in the summary court shows). Cayman are these the men you want to lead the country? If so then it is only a matter of time before society starts to denigrate.
This conversation should include a reference to Martin’s previuos 4 years. He should be judged on his perfermance. He never used his position to gain wealth for himself. Instead he gave selfishly of him self.
His term saw a record number of scholarships for the youth of cayman brac, and many other notable achievments.
The lord is the ultimate judge and he has forgiven me, you and lyndon then why should the people of cayman brac not vote for him.
If one is to judge Martin by his past term as MLA he’ll not have many votes. I’m sure he has many friends and family that will vote for him as will those who got status.
Oh Please! is anyone really so dumb as to believe that Kurt & the PPM are smart enough to carry out a personal vendatta against Mr. Martin. Truth of the matter is that Mr. Martin is his own worst enemy.
"Oh Please! is anyone really so dumb as to believe that Kurt & the PPM are smart enough to carry out a personal vendatta against Mr. Martin. Truth of the matter is that Mr. Martin is his own worst enemy".
Actually it takes no sense to carry our a personal vendetta. Proof of this is the UDP leadership style.
You are right on the second statement. But wasn’t he also UDP?
A "good heart" and "nobody’s perfect?? Give me a break. Lyndon is a pathological story-teller. He is nice but he has issues of integrity and questionable honesty. His legal troubles have included a wide range of offenses, including dishonesty and breaches of the immigration laws as well as being the catalyst for the ongoing SPIT fiasco, which started because of his apparent need to embellish the truth about a police leaking information to a newspaper.
Even if it is technically legal for him to put himself forward for office (?), it is cretainly NOT appropriate in the circumstances – same as Frank McField. To hold elected office as a representative of our people, you have to be able to properly "represent" us on the road and in the street – by conducting yourself at all times in a professional, decent, law-abiding manner in all circumstances. You do not get into drunken street-fights with police, steal money from people for immigration letter, forge immigration government documents, file police reports against people unless you are sure, hire and retain expat staff without the proper permits and paying the correct fees. Me and my family and friends, do not behave like that and do not think that it is too much that my MLA act decently. Lyndon does even not measure up to most of the decent, law-abiding people, who manage to conduct their affairs without breaking any law. If he can’t even measure up to regular people’s behaviour, he must be representing people who act like how he expects to. I can’t vote for that because I don’t respect that kind of nonsense.
Lyndon’s not perfect but he has a good heart
NOBODYS PERFECT
I want to see his evidence and believe this has all been put together to ensure if PPM doesn’t lose for the money it has spent it would for it’s lack of do anything in this whole mess.
Nothing against Mr. Martin but what would happen if he is elected and then sentenced to prison?
They say this and they say that about Lyndon (Pim Pim) but they forget to tell you about all of the help he has given since Paloma, to the people of Cayman Brac.
In the immediate period following the huricane it was Lyndon that you would see going through the districts, on the roofs, cutting bush and in general being a GREAT leader and representative of the people he loves so much.
This side of Lyndon is seldom told, but is known by most Brackers.
He has also proved his ability to work with either of the two current representatives. We all know that they can’t work with each other.
Lyndon is an experienced and passionate representative who knows the needs of his people. Go for it.
The young people of cayman brac remember how much he tried to help them.
It’s going to be hard for Lyndon Martin to get elected with this hanging over his head. However, what other choices do the Cayman Brac people have? We’ve seen the cat & dog fights for the past 4 years. We certainly need better than that. You go Lyndon. You got my vote.
It is so obvious that most of what has happened to Lyndon has been as a result of a personal vendatta against him from the time that he moved the Motion of no-confidence against Kurt which resulted in that government losing control of the house.
Some of these things have been so ridiculous that they should not have embarrassed themselves to try to get them pushed through the courts.
LYNDON has a lot to offer and if given the opportunity, will continue to serve his people nobly and bring some intelligent debate to the House. God knows they could use a good helping of intelligence there!
"It is so obvious that most of what has happened to Lyndon has been as a result of a personal vendatta against him from the time that he moved the Motion of no-confidence against Kurt which resulted in that government losing control of the house".
What on earth does this have to do with the SPIT investigation?!! It should be obvious to all that Mr. Tibbetts is not in control of that investigation or any other law enforcement agency that has brought charges against Mr. Martin.
When elections are near some people seem to lose all faculties to reason.
Is this Cayman or Hollywood? The drama, crime & corruption we are hearing about is something even the most imaginative writer of Hollywood would have a hard time conjuring up for such a small territory. Here is where Mother country may need to step in or so embarrassed have to step out. The writing on the wall is not good, and we are all wringing our hands, looking to those who have the power and should be doing something.
We the people and businesses of Cayman are providing the funds (by means of indirect taxation upon every thing we have), to pay our politicians and Police to keep our country safe, within and out. Where as, I believe that certain sections of the present Government has done a good job, as a whole the last two Governments has caused this mess. Yes, it started most certainly with the MAC-attack and then with this present Government it seemed for a while to be going up the hill but then hit a bump on who knows what and slid down the slippery slope.
Good people are needed, I really wish I had the education, the knowhow and the brass to get out there and kick some political … but alas this is what we all have come to, we sit and read about the country falling and cry and wring our hands in despair.
Sadly, we all know many educated, witty, honest, knowledgeable and wise Caymanians that can take this country by storm and bring it back. I want to say to them “SHUT UP!” you big-up business men/women who fit that bill but won’t step up to the plate. You are doing nothing and you can do something so SHUT UP and don’t complain when they destroy your country and living. I am but a little mouse who knows that I am not equipped for the job but you can and you don’t!
You know what? I challenge the ones who can and don’t, and I say to you; it’s your fault if you do nothing.
A good representative must understand all aspects of lift. These experiences better equip Martin to represent ALL the people, including the less than perfect, and those who have errored in life.
Yes why not elect him to our Legislative Assembly so he can be “amongest friends” you don’t become a good politician in Cayman till you have a brush with the law the rest have simply not yet been arrested for their crimes. You go deh Pim Pim!
Not quite as it happened –
"John Evans, a reporter from the same paper who also believed the allegations,"
In fact I was told by the publisher that he had received confidential information from Mr Ennis before I was aware of the more general allegations. It was that comment that prompted my involvement in the whole fiasco.
"Evans was never arrested over the Net-Newsgate affair as he was reportedly co-operating with the investigators."
Not true, I never broke the law.
"However, since leaving the island that situation has changed and Evans, who is now in the UK has become increasingly hostile towards the investigation and the prosecution and has made it clear in the local media that he will not return as a prosecution witness for this trial. Evans has lodged numerous complaints about his treatment and about the investigators to a number of people including the Chief Justice."
True.
"Believed to be the only prosecution witness for this case."
Not true, there are at least five other witnesses including Desmond Seales.
"Evan’s refusal to return may be the main reason why Martin’s trial has been delayed."
It’s Evans’ and I seriously doubt that is the case, my testimony is more likely to harm the prosecution case than aid it.
Go PimPim I wish you all the best
There is absolutely too many " Black Clouds" hanging over LyndonMartin’s head for the people of Cayman Brac and Little Cayman to elect him as an MLA in May 2009.
I do however believe, that he will not be convicted in the MET investigation, for they too, have too many " Black Clouds" hanging over their head as well. They have lost all credibility !!!!!!