THE Stanley John Investigative Report has found no criminal, fraudulent, or disciplinary wrongdoing in the case of a “missing file” related to a $20 million judgment against the State.
The report investigated the State’s failure to defend a malicious prosecution claim brought by nine men acquitted of the kidnapping and murder of Vindra Naipaul-Coolman. It was laid in the Senate on Tuesday.
Public anger surged after the hefty judgment, prompting Attorney General Reginald Armour to commission an investigation.
The 81-page report disclosed that the supposedly “missing file” was available electronically, but the Solicitor General’s office made no request for it. The report criticised the lack of initiative in obtaining the file, suggesting that proactive measures might have altered the case’s outcome.
Despite procedural missteps, the investigation uncovered no evidence of misconduct by officials in the Judicial and Legal Service or any criminal acts related to the case management. The report highlighted that files were improperly handled but not criminally mishandled.
Recommendations for reforming the Civil Law Department have led to legislative changes under the Miscellaneous Provisions (Judicial and Legal Service) Act, assented to in September 2024. Attorney General Armour noted that the situation was “avoidable” and aimed to utilize the report’s findings to drive systemic change.
The full report, now complete with appendices, emphasizes transparency and accountability, marking a step towards significant judicial reform.
