BASSETERRE, ST KITTS, OCTOBER 24, 2022: The criminal matter, on indictment, against former Supervisor of Elections Mr. Wingrove George (DPP v Wingrove George) concluded today. The Crown made the decision to enter a nolle prosequi, that is, to discontinue the proceedings. The Crown has taken the view that it is no longer in the public’s interest to proceed against Mr. George.
On Thursday 20th October 2022, the day on which the trial was scheduled to begin, Mr. George produced new information to the court which was not previously in the Crown’s possession. The information provided by Mr. George was investigated and the decision was taken to discontinue the matter as the information he produced amounted to a defence that could not have been negated by the Crown.
At no stage was the DPP’s Office engaged in a “political witch hunt” as alleged by Mr. George in a purported public statement he issued today on Social Media. Every prosecution from the DPP’s Office is based on the evidence and pursued only in the public interest. The DPP’s Office did not receive any instructions about this case from the Executive and does not take directions from any Executive. The DPP’s Office acts independently within its Constitutional powers.
In commenting on the Crown’s decision to nolle prosequi, the court expressed agreement with the decision; that it was done by fair-minded prosecutors; and that while Mr. George had no obligation to put forward any information in his defence, had the information come to the Crown’s attention before, the matter could have been concluded sooner. The Crown was represented by the DPP from Montserrat, Mr. Oris Sullivan, and local Crown Counsel Mr. Bervis Burke.
Director of Public Prosecutions (Acting) October 24, 2022.