Canadian vlogger Christopher “Chris Must List” Hughes will remain in T&T until his next court appearance on August 23 for case management.
Hughes, who is charged with publishing a seditious publication, made his second court appearance yesterday, having initially pleaded not guilty to the offence on June 6.
If found guilty, Hughes, who is out on $100,000 bail, faces a $3,000 fine or two years imprisonment.
Last week when he was given permission to leave the country, he opted to remain, saying it made more sense to remain for a week, appear in court and return to Canada as the adjournment date would be longer than a week.
His passport was ordered to be returned last week but Hughes did not request it then. Yesterday, Hughes, who is represented by Pamela Elder SC, asked acting Chief Magistrate Christine Charles for permission to leave the country as a matter of formality.
State attorney Danielle Thompson informed Charles that some documents were already disclosed to the defence and the remaining are expected to be given before the adjournment date.
Charles ordered that all disclosure be sent to the defence on or by July 22. All objections to the statements are to be made by August 19.
The matter, Charles was told, will proceed through formal admissions, where uncontested witness statements will be submitted and only witnesses the defence wishes to cross-examine will be called. This saves on having each witness testify and face possible cross-examination.
Elder requested that Hughes’ electronic equipment be returned to him, advising that the memory cards can remain as part of the prosecution’s evidence, as no data can be stored internally on the equipment.
Thompson said she would look into the equipment being returned to Hughes by the time he leaves the country.
