Former Minister of Home Affairs Robeson Benn returned to the witness box today as the election fraud trial continued before Principal Magistrate Faith McGusty at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court, but his cross-examination was deferred after repeated difficulties between him and defence attorney Ronald Daniels over the manner in which questions were being answered.
Daniels began by asking Benn to keep his responses confined to the questions being asked, explaining that most of his questions could be answered with a simple “yes” or “no” or an indication of whether Benn agreed or disagreed.
Benn, however, indicated that he could not say in advance whether he would be able to answer questions in that manner.
The cross-examination initially focused on the presence of Dr. Frank Anthony at the Region Four Returning Office during the tabulation process.
Benn confirmed that Dr. Anthony was present on the day Returning Officer Keith Lowenfield was said to have fallen ill and was taken to hospital. Benn said he knew Dr. Anthony as a member of the PPP/C but was not aware that he had any official capacity at the election centre.
When asked whether Dr. Anthony was equipped with medical equipment, Benn said he was not aware of this.
Benn also acknowledged that he had suggested Dr. Anthony’s assistance to Lowenfield when Mingo became ill. Benn explained that Dr. Anthony was a medical doctor and a former Minister of Health and was present in the building at the time.
Daniels then moved to questions concerning whether Benn was aware of Lowenfield instructing anyone to alter, enter or inflate figures during the electoral or tabulation process.
Benn initially responded that he was not aware of Lowenfield telling anyone to alter a particular figure and similarly said he was not aware of Lowenfield instructing anyone to enter a particular figure.
However, when Daniels asked whether he was also unaware of Lowenfield instructing anyone to inflate the votes of a particular party, Benn began to provide an explanation about the Elections Commission staff.
Daniels repeatedly sought a direct response to the question.
At that point, Magistrate McGusty intervened, and reminded Benn that the court considers not only the answers given by a witness but also the meaning of his answers when assessing his credibility.
The exchange prompted Daniels to indicate that he would prefer to be excused from the proceedings until Benn was prepared to engage in the cross-examination.
McGusty subsequently deferred Daniels’ cross-examination and said Benn would return when he was ready to answer the question.
Defence attorney Dexter Todd also indicated that he would defer their cross-examination until Daniels completed his questioning.
The Magistrate therefore ordered Benn to step down from the witness box, with the former minister expected to return on another date for the continuation of cross-examination.
