The controversy surrounding former model Yugge Farrell has reached the shores of Canada.
A number of Vincentians are currently braving the cold weather to protest what they see as an injustice done to Miss Farrell.
Protesters mainly comprised of women could be heard chanting, ” WHAT WE WANT, JUSTICE, GONSALVES FAMILY MUST GO, FREE YUGGE, among other slangs.
The protest is being held at 55 Town Center court in Scarborough next to the SVG Consulate Office.
Yugge Farrell appeared before the Kingstown Magistrate’s Court Friday, charged that on Thursday, January 4 at Granby Street, Kingstown, she did cause a breach of the peace by using abusive language to Karen Duncan- Gonsalves of Prospect, which was “You dirty b**ch.”
Duncan-Gonsalves, a lawyer attached to the Attorney General’s chambers, is the wife of Minister of Finance Camillo Gonsalves.
Farrell pleaded not guilty to the charge and will return to the Kingstown Magistrate’s Court on January 22, following evaluation.
In August 2017, police said that Farrell was a person of interest in an investigation being carried out by them into the use of an Instagram account.
Posts made from the account contained defamatory comments about several government officials, public figures and members of the public.
Attorney at law and activist Kay Bacchus-Baptiste has expressed strong concern over the decision to have fashion model, Yugge Farrell committed for 2 weeks to the mental health centre.
Bacchus-Baptiste made her concerns known in an interview recently with SVG-TV News, where she described the incident as “a human rights issue that should be properly investigated.”
The veteran lawyer, said that although persons have called upon her to handle the case, she is not a part of Farrell’s legal representation noting that she was however aware that her colleague Grant Connell represented the 22-year old Ottley Hall resident at the magistrate’s court last Friday pro bono, as Farrell did not have anyone representing her.
Bacchus-Baptiste emphasized that she was displeased in the way in which Farrell, was taken to court. She also made a strong call for the magistrate presiding over the case to recuse himself.
The lawyer representing embattled former fashion model Yugge Farrell in her ongoing court case, Grant Connell on Wednesday says he will be asking the office of the Director of Public Prosecution to nolle pros their case against his client.
Farrell who is facing a charge of using “abusive language” on Senior Counsel, and the wife of the Finance Minister, Karen Duncan-Gonsalves. She was initially sent to the Mental Health Institution for two weeks observation which was extended on Monday at her follow up court appearance.
In an interview with News784, Connell noted that the matter will continue in court on Monday, January 29th, however, he will be asking the court to extend certain courtesies including having the matter heard on camera which he said is in the protection of his client’s interest.
Noting that he is fully aware of the public’s interest in the case, Connell said it is his hope that after a decision is made on Monday that the same interest in Farrell’s well being is maintained.
Connell further noted that he will be asking the DPP to Nolle prosequi the case which he is hoping will be granted.
