Wason gets the nod for acting chief magistrate position, sources say, but legal fraternity is not Happy

Dexter Wason, the traffic magistrate and magistrate for District C
Barbuda, has been tipped to become the acting chief magistrate,
inside sources say.

This development is causing a stir among the legal fraternity, an
attorney tells REAL News, and he alleges that complaints have been
made about the manner in which Wason conducts court
proceedings.

On a number of occasions, Wason is alleged to have revoked bail
simply because a defendant pleaded not guilty. And in other
instances, the attorney claims, the accused would plead guilty
simply to avoid their bail being revoked.

Additionally, concerns are being expressed about Wason’s close
association with the Gaston Brown Administration.

Recently, some residents said they were shocked when the
presiding officer appeared at the opening of the bids for the
controversial sale of the Alfa Nero.

“A sitting magistrate participating in a heavily charged political
issue doesn’t look good,” a young female lawyer comments.
Earlier this week, court sources pointed out that Wason “has long
passed the mandatory retirement age” and that two younger and
active magistrates are being overlooked.

They added that it would be unfair if Wason “is promoted from a
contracted month-to-month employee to chief magistrate.”
REAL News has been reliably informed that Wason is already
receiving a government pension.