After 9 months of delays, and a number of controversies in the handling of the case, Dorian Pakeman has been criminally charged for the traffic accident which killed Gardenia Mechanic, Dean Dawson.
Pakeman was arraigned today in the Magistrate's Court on the single charge of causing death by careless conduct. That in itself is unusual as usually the charges for a traffic fatality would be manslaughter by negligence, driving without due care and attention… as well as a few others. But, not in this case where the investigation has been riddled with irregularities.
And those started to pile up shortly after the accident occurred on the night of March 30, 2015. That's when Pakeman, who is on suspension was the Government's Press Office Director. He was heading home from Orange Walk in his government issued Isuzu D-Max pickup, which knocked down and killed Dean Dawson.
Well today, he had to take the perp walk to the court where he was taken before Senior Magistrate Sharon Frazer for his arraignment. He's being represented attorney Bryan Neal.
After the charge was officially read to Pakeman, and he was granted bail, his attorney granted an interview to the media outside of court. Here's that conversation from less than 2 hours ago:
Bryan Neal, Attorney for Dorian Pakeman
"I am representing Dorian Pakeman and he is charged with the unfortunate traffic accident that killed Dean Dawson in March of 2016."
Daniel Ortiz, 7News
"What was the charge sir?"
Bryan Neal, Attorney for Dorian Pakeman
"He is charged with one count of causing death by careless conduct."
Reporter
"Normally in traffic accidents just like this not to mention that this had taken the DPP office and the police department an enormously long time to charge Mr. Pakeman. I observed that he's only charged with one count and that count of causing death by careless conduct is usually the alternative to the charge of manslaughter by negligence. Can you explain to us how this process came to be that he's only charged with one count of causing death by careless conduct?"
Bryan Neal, Attorney for Dorian Pakeman
"Clearly the DPP looked at the evidence. She had a lot of time. I think that no one can diaparage the reputation of our Director of Public Prosecutions. She's a fine lady. Having looked at the evidence, she in her prerogative decided this was the only charge to bring. So all that talk that we heard in the media before about substances in this system, we don't know where that came from because now having looked at the entire case why is it that the DPP has only charged him with causing death by careless conduct."
Daniel Ortiz, 7News
"Sir what is the next step for your client?"
Bryan Neal, Attorney for Dorian Pakeman
"The next step is to wait until the next court date and he expects to go back to court and vindicate himself in court; this is a traffic accident. What I want to say publicly and I think that it has not been said before is to say sorry to the family of Dean Dawson. These accidents, as they often do claim the lives of people, it is a problem we are having in our country. My client has instructed me specifically that he is sorry for what has happened. He intends, to the fullest extent that he can, to compensate the family at a later date after we're done with these charges. The main thing is the reach out to the family and say a sincere sorry on behalf of my client for what has happened."
Reporter
"I also noticed sir that at the arrangement hearing just a while ago there was no mention of when disclosure will be given to your client. Do you have any idea thereof?"
Bryan Neal, Attorney for Dorian Pakeman
"What was given today were some very brief facts. I don't see how those facts can justify the charges going to its fullest conclusion and finding my client guilty, but I don't want to preempt myself. I have looked at the facts as disclosed to me so far and I don't see where this case is going. it's unfortunate that a man has lost his life, but the law is the law and I think that in the end he will be vindicated in a court of law."
Pakeman was released on bail of $3,500, and he must return to court on March 10, 2017.
| 