Since last week Monday, we've been closely following the story of Magistrate Norman Rodriguez, who is being accused of rape. Well, since then, police have investigated his accuser's complaint, and sometime next week, it is expected that he will be criminally charged. He will become the first sitting magistrate in memory to face such a serious offense.
The complainant is a woman who has admitted to the Amandala newspaper that they had a live-in relationship 5 years ago. That was before he went away to study law, and according to the complainant, on Tuesday, April 11th, he invited her to his magistrate's quarters in Dangriga, and forcibly had intercourse with her, against her will.
We had been in close communication with Magistrate Rodriguez about the allegation, but we chose not to report on it at that time. That's because police were still investigating, and he insisted that this was a malicious complaint designed to ruin his reputation.
But, the DPP's office has reviewed the file, and they have reportedly advised police to bring criminal charges against the Magistrate. We've been trying to reach DPP Cheryl-Lynn Vidal for comment, but she has been unavailable so far.
So, sometime next week, Norman Rodriguez will be standing in front of one of his peers for an arraignment just like any other defendant, except at this time, he certainly isn't.
We've managed dig up an unaired interview he granted to us on October 27th of last year. This is what he told us about being selected to serve as a member of the judiciary:
Norman Rodriguez, Magistrate
"I was sworn in as a magistrate on Tuesday, called to the bar on Friday. But my duties as magistrate supersede my duties as an attorney. I can't act as an attorney at this time while I am on the bench. Whatever I achieve or become in life, I don't always consider it just my efforts, so I give thanks to the Almighty first and then to the people who have shoulder me, push me - that made sure that I reach to this point."
Daniel Ortiz, 7News
"People who come before Magistrate Rodriguez, what can they expect from you in terms when they meet you and they are a defendant in front of your court?"
Norman Rodriguez, Magistrate
"First of all the law must apply. There are certain areas where I don't have a discretion and where I don't have a discretion, the law must be applied. Where I can a discretion, there are certain mitigating factors that I listen to and it is by those we can exercise that discretion."
Daniel Ortiz, 7News
"In other word, firm, but fair."
Norman Rodriguez, Magistrate
"I am definitely a fair person and I think that is something that precedes me in the society - people know that I am a fair person and I will always be fair."
This is not the first allegation of a sexual nature that has been made against Rodriguez. In 2004, back when he was a teacher a Excelsior High School, he was accused of having sex with a 14 year-old female student. He was later acquitted of 3 counts of unlawful carnal knowledge in October 2005.
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