A Port-of-Spain magistrate yesterday revoked the bail bond of an accused after it was discovered that his bail was taken by his lawyer. Senior Magistrate Lucina Cardenas Ragoonanan, sitting in the Four A Court, summoned attorney Cecil Pope to her court after she recognised Pope's signature and name attached to Randy Stuart's bail bond. Questioned by the magistrate as to why he stood bail for the same person he was representing, Pope said he was a good friend of his client's father, Perkins Stuart. "I don't think you should put yourself in this position... Let's suppose the accused does not show up in court when his matter is called... What are you going to tell the court seeing that you are his bailor?" Cardenas-Ragoonanan asked.
The elder Stuart who was present in court explained that he attempted to post his son's bail but was denied by the presiding magistrate. Ragoonanan allowed Stuart's father to sign his bail bond and adjourned the matter to March 3. Stuart was before the court charged with possession of marijuana. He was jointly charged with Marlon Alfonso, both of Barataria. Alfonso pleaded guilty to the charge and was slapped with a $150 fine by Magistrate Andrew Stroude.
