A prominent Caribbean political figure is now at the center of a sharp public contradiction, after his legal team successfully secured bail for a teenage murder defendant – a stark reversal of the scathing criticism he leveled at judiciary officials just three years ago for granting bail to people charged with the same crime.
Ralph Gonsalves, current Opposition Leader of St. Vincent and the Grenadines and former Prime Minister, made international headlines in May 2023 when he launched a blistering attack on judicial officers across the CARICOM region. Speaking at a regional crime symposium amid a nationwide surge in homicides that pushed the country’s annual murder count to a record-breaking 55, Gonsalves questioned the judgment of magistrates who approved bail for murder accused.
Going further, he publicly implied unequal treatment in bail decisions based on the standing of the defense lawyer, before delivering his memorable rebuke: “How could you go and give somebody who is charged with murder bail? Let’s get serious!… where do these judges live? On Mars?”
Now, three years later, Gonsalves himself has led a defense team alongside his son Camillo Gonsalves – the country’s former finance minister – to win bail for a 16-year-old female defendant charged with murder. The legal team also included prominent attorneys Ronald “Ronny” Marks and Graham Bollers.
The case dates back to April of this year, when the teenager was charged following the death of 65-year-old Winston McMillan. Prosecutors allege the teen struck McMillan in the head during a physical altercation. Initially, while McMillan was hospitalized and declared brain-dead, the teen was charged with attempted murder. The charge was upgraded after his death.
As a constituent from Gonsalves’ North Central Windward electoral district, the teen first applied for bail in May through Gonsalves, but a lower court magistrate denied the request. On Monday, however, High Court Justice Gertel Thom granted bail set at Eastern Caribbean $25,000, requiring two sureties for the defendant’s release.
Court officials issued stop orders to prevent the teen from leaving the country, but waived the requirement to surrender her expired passport. As a condition of bail, she has been ordered to check in three times weekly at the Colonarie police station. The case has sparked public debate over consistency in political rhetoric and legal practice, with many noting the stark contrast between Gonsalves’ past criticism of bail for murder accused and his current work to secure that very outcome for his constituent.