The criminal trial of prominent attorney Orson ‘OJ’ Elrington, who stands accused of rape, opened today at the High Court under Justice Nigel Pilgrim’s jurisdiction. Proceedings immediately confronted a significant legal controversy regarding public access to the courtroom.
Journalists were barred from entering the court this morning as legal teams engaged in submissions debating whether the sensitive nature of the allegations warranted an in camera hearing—a decision addressed prior to the presentation of any evidence.
The charges against Elrington originate from an incident reportedly occurring on January 23, 2023. According to court documents, a woman in her mid-twenties alleged that after meeting the attorney at a nightclub, she accompanied him to his residence where the sexual assault purportedly took place.
Elrington has formally entered a plea of not guilty to the rape charge. Following his initial charging in March 2024, he was released after posting bail set at $8,000.
The defense team is headed by former Attorney General Wilfred Elrington, Senior Counsel, while the prosecution is being led by Director of Public Prosecutions Cheryl Lynn Vidal, representing the Crown’s case.
Media inquiries directed to both legal teams following today’s proceedings were declined, with neither side offering public commentary on the case developments.
The High Court is anticipated to issue a ruling on whether subsequent trial sessions will proceed in open court or maintain closed proceedings as the presentation of substantive evidence prepares to commence.