Save the urban youth from the rampant gang culture.
This is the call of the Criminal Bar Association (CBA) executive headed by senior advocate Israel Khan, who yesterday extended condolences to the family of criminal justice lawyer Akhilli Charles on his unfortunate and untimely death.
Charles, 42, who successfully challenged the state in court over the unconstitutionality of parts of the Parole Act that excluded those accused of murder from applying for parole, was shot dead by gunmen on Saturday night as he stood outside his way Covigne, Diego Martin. house.
Last Thursday the Privy Council ruled in favor of Charles, dismissing the state’s appeal and cementing in law that anyone in Trinidad and Tobago accused of murder was free to apply to the High Court for bail.
In a statement to the media yesterday, the CBA said: “Achilles Charles championed a cause while incarcerated and continued to champion that cause well beyond his release, when there was no longer any personal benefit to him after having wasted nine years of his life in prison before its completion. download.”
Beyond his defense of bail on capital murder charges, CBA said Charles tried to advocate for much-needed changes in a criminal justice system now plagued with endemic delays, which continue to result in citizens being held without trial. for very excessive periods. for ten years, delays that undermine the rule of law and render innocent our constitutional protection and farce, the presumption of innocence.
Charles also advocated against gang recruitment in his area, a cause believed to have led to his untimely death, she added.
“The Director of the Criminal Bar, on the occasion of the Emancipation Day, recognizes the efforts of Akilli Charles, who fought to save the younger generation in his community from becoming part of the gang culture which in the last 20 years has affected disproportionately urban afro- Trinidadian youth.
“It is hoped that the untimely death of Achilles Charles will not be in vain. As such, we call on stakeholders to engage in a collaborative effort and take immediate steps to continue working to rescue urban youth from the now pervasive gang culture,” added the CBA.
The CBA said it is “ready and committed to lend its assistance to the cause of eradicating gang culture, and to work with the Government, the Opposition, the police and the Judiciary with a view to restoring normalcy to the criminal justice system”. .
George: Sad reflection on T&T
Meanwhile, lawyer Martin George says Charles’ killing is a sad reflection of Trinidad and Tobago society, where it seems some young people are safer inside prison walls than outside.
“Because it’s only been less than a week, the Privy Council made that historic decision in the case that came in his favor, and now he’s been pronounced dead,” George said in a video post on social media yesterday.
“We call on the police authorities of the Commissioner of Police to ensure that they prioritize the safety and security of Trinidad and Tobago for all citizens,” he added.
