Dragonfly Centre: New practice of using written legal directions

Mission

Non-Profit, 501(c)(3)

Mission: The Dragonfly Centre is committed to the elimination of domestic violence against women and their children by providing victim friendly services that promotes the empowerment of survivors; through advocacy, public awareness and education and community based initiatives.

Vision: The Dragonfly Centre envisions a world free of violence against women and their children and social justice for all. We are founded on the vision and belief that every person has the right to live in a safe environment free from violence and the fear of violence and strive to work collaboratively with the community to provide victim friendly services to support domestic violence victims, survivors to the stage of thriving.

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Thursday, March 8, 2012

New practice of using written legal directions

Jury finds man ‘not guilty’ of manslaughter

By JADA LOUTOO Wednesday, March 7 2012

A RELATIVELY new practice of using written legal directions alongside oral instructions by a trial judge is now being used as an aid to juries so they better understand the law they are to apply to the case.

At least one jury in a criminal trial has indicated that a judge’s written directions, given in addition to his oral summation of the evidence and law to be applied in arriving at their verdict, has been useful. Jurors who heard evidence in the trial of Derrick Thomasos in the Port-of-Spain Third Criminal Court, yesterday indicated to Justice Mark Mohammed that his written directions were useful to them as they deliberated on their verdict. The judge also summed up the casefor two days.

The jury acquitted Thomasos, who was before the court on a manslaughter charge. He was charged with killing Kerry Celestine on August 9, 2002 at 84 Cocorite Road, Arima.

Thomasos was in a common-law relationship with Celestine’s former common-law wife and the mother of his three children, Cathleen White.

It was alleged that Celestine went to Thomasos’ home to drop off money for White, when Thomasos overheard a conversation between the two about him.

Thomasos allegedly attacked Celestine, telling him to leave his home. Thomasos hit Celestine a back-hand slap and he fell, hitting his head on iron burglar-proofing and then on the concrete floor. Celestine died a few hours later as a result of the fatal head wound.

Source: http://www.newsday.co.tt/crime_and_court/0,156454.html

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A Little Background…..

In 2007 I was introduced to the twin island Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. It is a beautiful tropical country located in the southern most part of the Caribbean archipelago. However, the opportunity to travel to this part of the world would not present itself until March of 2009. It was an incredible experience to be able to visit a country where I had never been before and I literally knew no-one. I had the privilege to experience a new culture and meet many wonderful people who made my trip an amazing experience. Although the purpose of my visit was recreational, something happened that changed all of that. One evening while on a hike with my tour guide and one of the locals at The ASA Wright Nature Centre, one of the men asked me where I was from and what I did for a living. It was at that moment that I disclosed that I was a Domestic Violence Advocate. He paused, looked at me and replied,… “we need you here”. At that moment I did not fully understand what he meant or how I could help.

A few days after this I visited one of the local court houses to learn about how someone could obtain a protection order. What I discovered disturbed me greatly, to say the least. The process by which abused individuals could obtain legal protections left much to be desired. This sparked grave concern for victims coupled with a desire to learn more about the local system and services. After I finished my travels all I could think about was the need of the people in Trinidad and Tobago. It was shortly after my return to the United States that the Dragonfly Centre for Women’s Empowerment and Transformation began to take form. While completing my Bachelors degree at Evergreen College, I developed an Individual Learning Contract entitled “Domestic Violence in Trinidad and Tobago” and was awarded The Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship. This allowed me to return to Trinidad and Tobago for my final quarter at the end of December of 2009 for my nine week study. My focus was on services addressing domestic violence. What I came away with was the echoing cries for help by the people who freely shared their personal views and stories. Although I wasn’t quite sure what, I knew I had to do something. As a consequence, it was these cries that gave birth to and helped shape the Dragonfly Centre to be what it is, a multifaceted institution with a focus on public education, shaping public policy and providing direct victim friendly services to support families dealing with domestic violence.