In November of last year, the Cervantes family released that infamous phone call on national radio - the one accusing the Deputy Prime Minister Gaspar Vega of masterminding the murder of their patriarch, Ramon Cervantez Sr. Deputy Vega has vehemently denied the allegation - and today he took Ramon Jr - who is also his political opponent - to the Supreme Court to sue him for slander. Vega is also suing the the Briceno family's radio station, Fiesta FM, for libel - since they allegedly broadcasted the live press conference where the allegations were made.
The full hearing began today before Chief Justice Kenneth Benjamin.
Vega's attorney, Rodwell Williams opened up by reminding the court that Vega is the holder of high public office as the Deputy Prime Minister, and he is currently the acting Prime Minister.
Williams outlined in his submissions to the court that on in November of 2014, at Mameyal Farm in the Orange Walk District, the Cervantes family released a voice recording of a conversation where a man claiming to be Manuel Castillo, the wanted fugitive in the murder of Ramon Cervantes Sr, alleged that Vega orchestrated Ramon Sr's death. He said the recording makes the allegation that this was a political assassination and that Ramon Sr. was erroneously killed because the attackers were trying to target Ramon Monchie Cervantes. Finally in his submissions, Williams told the court that the recording makes the accusation that the Deputy Prime Minister is a corrupt person, corrupting the police, and that he is a criminal who is engaged in criminal activities.
Williams informed that court that this recording was broadcasted live to the nation via Fiesta FM, and Love FM, which is not being sued. Vega's intention, Williams said, is to prove that the allegations were baseless and sought to malign his reputation for political reasons.
In response, Monchie Cervantes' defense is that he denies that he allowed the recording to be published. He denied that the words or meaning alleged were defamatory. He asserts that the words were not to be understood to refer to Vega, and were not calculated to disparage Vega. He also denies any injury to Vega's reputation.
Alternatively, if the court does not accept that first line of defense, he is submitting that the voice recording was published, but it was done with qualified privilege, which protects him and his family from lawsuits of libel and slander.
Fiesta FM in defense of this claim for libel, denies that they published it over the airwaves. They are claiming that they only transmitted and reported on the event that the Cervantes Family hosted for 5 minutes before it was cut off, due to poor audio quality in their studios and other technical difficulties.
After that opening statement, the claimant, Gaspar Vega, took the witness stand. He was allowed to detail his case against the defendants, and when he was finished, he had to endure a lengthy cross-examination by Said Musa, attorney for Monchie, and Eamon Courtenay, attorney for Fiesta FM.
7News sat in the entire first day of the case, and when it was adjourned, we waited outside of court for an opportunity to speak with the litigants. Daniel Ortiz has the story:
Daniel Ortiz reporting
A little while later, Acting Prime Minister Gaspar Vega exited court after being grilled by the defense attorneys under cross-examination. His attorney spoke on his behalf, and he was brief with the questions he could take.
Daniel Ortiz
"Sir, can we beg you for a quick comment? We just want to ask you what was your intention to establish a case for Fiesta FM. That's all"
Eamon Courtenay, SC - Attorney for Fiesta FM
"Tomorrow."
Daniel Ortiz
"Sir, can we ask you for a couple of questions."
Hon. Said Musa, SC - Attorney for the Cervantes Family
"The case is right the midst of things. We can't talk to you right now. Tomorrow."
Daniel Ortiz
"How is the case going in your opinion sir?"
Rodwell Williams, SC - Attorney for Gaspar Vega
"We are very conformable with the progress of the case so far. But it's of course as you are aware on its way it's close to ending. But we are quite comfortable and confident."
Daniel Ortiz
"What is the next step for you all in trying to establish Mr. Gapi's, the injury to his character?"
Rodwell Williams, SC - Attorney for Gaspar Vega
"We are not trying to. His character has been injured and that why we are here and to seek to vindicate the damage to his reputation."
Daniel Ortiz
"Mr. Vega, can we ask you for quick..."
Rodwell Williams, SC - Attorney for Gaspar Vega
"No questions Mr. Vega."
But, downstairs, Vega had a number of supporters waiting all morning for him. They were there to send a message.
He quickly descended the steps of the courthouse and started greeting each one independently.
Among his crowd, he was a bit more comfortable in answering a few questions from the observing press.
Daniel Ortiz
"Talk to us about the support you have out here?"
Hon. Gaspar Vega - Suing Monchie Cervantes/Fiesta FM
"They just came because they heard of the case. Just came to give some moral support."
Reporter
"How does it make you feel to have them out here?"
Hon. Gaspar Vega - Suing Monchie Cervantes/Fiesta FM
"Very special. I always say that God is always with me."
Reporter
"These people are from Orange Walk North?"
Hon. Gaspar Vega - Suing Monchie Cervantes/Fiesta FM
"Orange Walk North, yes."
Reporter
"Will they be here for the remainder of the case for you?"
Hon. Gaspar Vega - Suing Monchie Cervantes/Fiesta FM
"I don't know if they will be coming back, but I certainly don't intend to stop anyone from coming. Whoever wants to come, they can some."
Reporter
"Is this something you needed?"
Hon. Gaspar Vega - Suing Monchie Cervantes/Fiesta FM
"I always needed the moral support of my people."
Reporter
"As seen these people are out here for you, do you believe now that your character has been damaged?"
Hon. Gaspar Vega - Suing Monchie Cervantes/Fiesta FM
"Of course it has been damaged. I don't know, like I said earlier, I cannot speak about the case because I am still a witness. So I cannot mention anything about the case."
He eventually made his way to his vehicle, and the waiting crowd… well they got into 2 chartered Albion Transport buses.
Now, Vega said that they came to support him. Albion Transport is a commercial bus-line, so, it's not so far a stretch to reason that someone footed the bill of the transportation. If that is so, then that would mean that these supporters were brought from Orange Walk North, most-likely for political fanfare.
But, the good minister says he genuinely has their support, and so..we take him at his word.
In court today, Vega and his attorney attempted to get a CD with a copy of the recording of the explosive phone conversation admitted as evidence in this case. Eamon Courtenay objected on the grounds that this recording, which Vega says came from Love FM, has to be verified. He added that if it is verified as originating from Love FM, it is irrelevant in this case because Love FM is not a party to this lawsuit. Courtenay also submitted that Fiesta FM denies that it aired the recording, and it is for the claimant to establish that they did broadcast it.
After consideration Chief Justice Benjamin allowed the recording, with no prejudice to Fiesta FM, since the claimant still needs to prove that they broadcasted the contents.
As we told you, another witness was called who Courtenay cross-examined. He eventually revealed that Fiesta FM was having technical difficulties.
The case continues tomorrow.
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