Charges officially dropped against government MLA
(CNS): Prosecutors officially dropped assault charges against Bodden Town backbench MLA Dwayne Seymour Monday when he appeared in Summary Court in connection with an altercation outside a Seven Mile Beach Hotel last year. Seymour and his friend, Joseph Minzett, had been charged with assaulting an American fitness trainer who was visiting Cayman to see Seymour’s estranged wife. Seymour was also charged with the more serious count of perverting the course of justice in connection with the same case but was acquitted by a jury following a Grand Court trial in May. (Photo Courtesy Cayman27)
Following that verdict, the crown had indicated it would be unlikely to pursue the assault charges against the politician as the director of public prosecutions had said it was not in the public interest.
The Bodden Town UDP representative was accused of being involved in a fight with the man, whom he believed was having an affair with his wife, outside the hotel after he had heard he was on island. During the trial Seymour had denied starting the fight and denied telling a security guard who said he witnessed the fight to keep quiet about the incident.
Speaking to Cayman 27 on Monday outside the court house after learning that the case against him had been officially dropped, the MLA said he was relieved and had always been surprised at the charges as he had been the one that had wanted to press charges against Yap, whom Seymour claimed at trial had started the fight.
“It’s just so hard being charged in something like this when I was the one who pressed the charges against someone, and it was chosen to press charges against me by the police,” Seymour said. “It’s very unfair, but there is a god and we’re all answerable to him. And so thankful for all the supporters who supported me and prayed for me – and just stuck by my side. All my friends and family and you know it’s a wonderful day and put it behind me now and get on with the business of the country.”
See Cayman 27 video of Seymour at courthouse.
Category: Crime
Just read the article in the Cayman Compass… who is he trying to kid.. this man assumes the people of Cayman are fools..
Eyes wide shut, bwoy…
There were unintended consequences from this case. Perhaps the verdict wasn't to everyones liking but careers have been changed and certainly futures have been altered. The "sacred vessel" defence will enter Caymanian lore as well as politics and those involved will never escape its fallout.
This man admitted being a liar in the dock. He seems completely unfit to be an MLA. Had he any class he would have resigned after this disgusting affiar showed his true colors. Had Mac any class he would have pushed him rather than standing up for him.
12:45 Please hush, have you never told a lie before in your life? All those who have not sinned then go ahead and stone John, John. I bet you cannot, and what ever John John did, he was defending his property in stead of trading it out. Besides being an MLA he is a human being with feelings, so stop critizing the man for fighting for his wife.
His property???
a vessel is a thing. don't tell me that things aren't property.
Golly Gee Whiz. You are RIGHT. We all have feelings, don't we? And when those feelings run high and we get caught up in the emotion of a moment… we should be able to get away with anything. Destroy someone's property? It's OK, I had feelings that I could not control. Kill someone? I only did it because of my strong feelings. Beat somebody up? My feelings made me do it.
In fact, why do we have laws? Why not run around and steal and rape and kill? Most of those things come from strong feelings of one kind or another and, as you point out, we are all human beings with feelings.
What a liberating concept! Anything goes because we are emotional creatures. Feelings are the reason and excuse for everything,so do whatever you want!
John John supporter Daffodil Street BT… you are a pinhead.
Are ALL the folks on your street Daffodils?
I diasagree…being an admitted liar is EXACTLY what qualifies him to be a politician…
I respectfully disagree, Mac would NEVER say HE's a liar.
and would you believe him if he did?
But he didn't and Mac doesn't.
It goes without saying that Mac has no class. and this man's actions are clearly following right in Mac's footsteps, intent on making idiots of themselves and being disgraceful excuses for leaders of this country.
Caymanian justice.
Derived from Jamaican justice
Why take up the courts time and spend money on charging people when it
looks like ''everyone'' charged on the island is found ….not guilty!!
What a shame…….
John John I am really happy for you, because what ever part you took in the squabble, you are a human being with feelings, not like some man samples who allow their wives to be swapped.
I also hope you realize that we Caymanians are our worse enemies. Keep a pure heart and clean hands.
Mac, dat u?
Cumber Avenue Woman… yoiu must be related to John John supporter Daffodil Street BT.
Man samples?
Seems like your head is pure… unadulterated by any intelligence whatsoever.
Sacred Vessel of Caymanian Law
17:15 I bet you would not say this when a killer gets away for shooting someone. But tarazan defending his rights and beating his chest in the jungle for Jane is wrong. Oh ye of little faith.
Um, he is a Government Minister. Are you Steve? I am sure I read that comment in his closing speech.
It's a wonderful day.
God is not mocked. If any injustice has been perpetrated here, it will be set right in due course.
I have done some foolishness in my time and trust me God has a long memory.
MacDinejad and his drones have become a laughing stock and an embarassment to the people of the Cayman Islands.
not just caymanians, they are a laughing stock to the rest of humanity……
This place makes Libya and Syria look like the most enlightened nations on earth. What a joke. Why do I still care? because wrong is wrong and should not go unaddressed.
Can anyone tell me why the Premier and all the government UDP members were allowed to attend the trial ? Is that not considered intimidating the jurors ? How did we expect any other out come when this type of thing is allowed ? And we wonder why they think they are untouchable? Do you really think Mac's investigation will be any different?
I don't know about anyone else but I am sooooo tired of this #@%* !!!
and why is there no outcry by the media in cayman when this happens?
Because I need a new fridge, and an a/c unit too..
Because this is normal for here. Just like the latest screw up by Bush before his next one, Who is now takeing CIG to court, Where Bush and friends are going on the publics dime, and the next pathetic try at attracting business while screwing over what businesses are left.
Yo. Yo yo yo. Yo yo! Yo. Yo! Yo yo yo yo yo yo yo.
'Cause when the Crips are on the march… whether it is to John John's trial or to a "retreat" on the Brac, the media hides inside and challenges each other to Soduku.
What a mess!
Did you honestly expect anything different?
No, but we were hoping…
"the director of public prosecutions had said it was not in the public interest".
Believe me, at this point in time in Cayman, it is very much in the public's interest to charge, investigate, and prosecute any MLA that even appears to be in contravention of the law. That being said, even if its not against the law, still doesn't mean it's the appropriate thing to do. There is such a thing as "Conduct unbecoming of an officer" which we should hold our elected officials accountable to. Our publicly elected officials need to be held to the highest moral and ethical standards. They need to be held accountable for their actions. For far too long we have let these indiscretions, bad decisions or what have you, slide. If they are allowed to skate around the rules of any sort, what type of example are they setting for Joe Public?
It looks like for this year alone, many accused persons will walk free. The judicial and police system like any other system is imperfect.
Do you think we should be focusing our energies on domestic education and rehabilitation? Because in the next ten years, many youngsters and exconvicts may take the positions that many of us have left vacant upon retirement.
Well to all you haters out deh seeeya John John is the Teflon Don kind ryhmes doesn't it poor old Ezzard & Alden still hoping on the i had dream .
"Not in the public interest"????????
Aye, I supose your right, he only works for the public and their interests.
You couldn't make this **** up.
Hush. It is not like this government gave the DPP status!
These are the things that scare me.
this man should've been made to step down, at least for the duration of the trial…
but since Boss Hog won't step down, why should joke-joke.
Where are the Duke boy's when we need em'?
Funny that ……
looks like he's still praying giving the interview as his eyes seem to be closed . Anyways how come God can anwser his prayers and not all the unemployed people of Cayman ? Guess it pays to go to Sunday School for 25 years.
It all depends to whom you are praying to. It appears that the loyal and faithful servants of McDdafi seem to have their prayers answered quite well. While they are praying to him, he is preying on the rest of us.
Seems pretty hard to get prosecuted around here, and even harder to get convicted.
Two thumbs up to that!
I wish I was an MLA!
you can be dude. I'll vote for you!
22:07 Its a dirty job, but somebody, got to do it.
Remember with God on your side it is not a "lie" it is a "plan" or a "scheme". Tricking and lying to your spouse is a "good thing".
Why is pursuing this charge not in the public interest?
Thank God and sacred vessel here I Come!