St. Maarten Private Eye

Holiday Case Sent Back To Investigating Judge - 16th April 2008

From SMN News

Philipsburg: ---- Former Chief Commissioner of Police Derrick Holiday arrived at the Court of First Instance yesterday clutching the arms of his wife, accompanying Holiday who was dressed in a black suit, white shirt and a red colored tie were all his brothers, and his sister, close friends and family members.

Holiday arrived at the Court house about half an hour before his case was called. Looking concerned but confident Holiday sat mostly with his head slightly bent as he listens to the charges laid against him as Prosecutor Martin Hemelaar reads it to the judge. The tribune of the court house was full to capacity as Attorney at Law Richard Gibson Jr. who representrd convicted police commissioner Marcel Loor, attorney at law Reynold Groenveldt, and councilman and Senator Frans Richardson also attended the sessions.

Those charges are forging of immigration documents, mainly re-entry permits 43 of them which Hemelaar said were given to cricket players and their coaches since the defendant is the President of the St. Maarten Cricket Association. Holiday is also charged with defrauding the federal government of house rent allowances totaling the sum of $45,500.

His attorney Jori Essed asked the judge to postpone the case because he needs to have nine more witnesses heard, those witnesses includes Lt. Governor Franklyn Richards, former Lt. Governor Denis Richardson, Chief Inspector Francesca, his secretary Ms. Beryl Henriquez, his uncle and former landlord Donald Hughes, and the Minister of Justice of the Netherlands Antilles David Dick. According to Holiday’s attorney the Minister of Justice at some point told Holiday if he paid back the house rent allowances he collected while living in his own home he will make sure he is not prosecuted.

While Hemlaar said that the prosecution was ready to go ahead and prosecute the case because they are prepared. Judge Goosens in his ruling granted the defense its request to postpone the case without setting a new court date saying there are no more dates available prior to the summer recess. The case will now go back to the investigating judge who will hear eight of the nine witnesses that Holiday would like to be heard including the Minister of Justice.

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