By Kristina McNeil
Nassau Guardian
August 13, 2011
http://www.thenassauguardian.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=12145&Itemid=27
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| Bishop Randy Fraser and his wife leaving court |
A magistrate will issue her ruling in the Bishop Earl Randy Fraser sex abuse case in October after closing submissions were made yesterday by the prosecution and defense.
Prosecutors allege that Fraser, pastor of Pilgrim Baptist Church, St. James Road, abused his position of trust by engaging in a sexual relationship with a 16-year-old girl he was counselling between June 2005 and February 2006.
Franklyn Williams, deputy director of Public Prosecutions, led off closing submissions before Deputy Chief Magistrate Carolita Bethell.
Williams argued that there is no doubt that the complainant was a troubled girl from a dysfunctional family. That, Williams claimed, made her vulnerable to exploitation. The defendant skillfully, cunningly and intentionally manipulated the complainant before isolating and abusing her, Williams charged.
According to Williams, Fraser's testimony indicated that he alone told the truth, and everyone else was lying about him. However, the prosecution contends that certain evidence was produced in the trial by the complainant that could have only been known through an intimate relationship with Fraser.
The prosecution was referring to testimony describing Fraser's bedroom in detail, as well as the description of a scar on Fraser's shoulder that is only visible in a partial state of undress.
In closing, Fraser's attorney Jairam Mangra examined each of the alleged sexual acts between his client and his accuser. Mangra claimed that the prosecution's primary witness, the complainant, was not credible.
Pointing to reported inconsistencies with the dates the alleged sex acts took place, Mangra told the court that the complainant was either mistaken or confused, and her evidence was unreliable and not credible.
Wrapping up his submissions, Mangra said the prosecution failed to prove that each and every alleged sexual act took place by providing evidence and testimony during the trial.
Bethell is scheduled to hand down a decision on the matter when Fraser returns to court October 4.
During yesterday's closing submissions, Fraser sat stoically in the courtroom making notes.
This is the second time Fraser has been tried on the allegation.
In the first trial, Magistrate Marilyn Meeres ruled Fraser had no case to answer. The Court of Appeal, however, ordered a new trial after ruling Meeres applied the wrong legal principle in reaching her decision.
Contact: kristina@nasguard.com
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