Keron Bruce: ‘My wife fears I'll go to jail over lies’ as cybercrime ruling delayed
Senior Magistrate Sunil Scarce, who, up to Wednesday, presided over the Diamond/Grove Magistrates’ Court, was expected to hand down his ruling in the cybercrime case involving photographer Keron Bruce, who is accused of being the cartoon character ‘Mudwata.’
However, when the case was called on Wednesday, the Senior Magistrate explained that “this is not one of the cases I want to give an oral judgment,” noting that a written ruling is necessary for the “benefits” of all the parties involved.
The Magistrate noted that he was just at the point where he needed to wrap up the ruling and then deliver his judgment. But before he can render that ruling, he must seek permission to return to the magisterial district.
In light of the preceding, he has set August 09, 2024, for reporting on what date he can render his written judgment.
During the proceedings, Bruce informed the court that several of his belongings were still in Police custody, and he could not make any plans past the dates the Magistrate provided.
“Two years my life has been tremendously affected,” Bruce told the Magistrate, adding, “My wife is nervous that her husband is going to go to jail over lies. We need a solution to this.”
The Magistrate responded to Bruce, stating that his statement was more reason why he insisted on handing down a written ruling.
“I know it has been a while since it has been before the court, but it wouldn’t be two years more before we will have to wait for a decision. I assure you. It is just a matter of days,” Magistrate Scarce posited.
In 2022, Bruce, 37, of Soesdyke, East Bank Demerara (EBD), was hauled before the Court, charged and released on $100,000 bail.
He had denied the charge, which alleged that on January 25, 2021, at Soesdyke, EBD, he used a computer system to disseminate information about Leroy Smith knowing the same to be false, to cause public ridicule, contempt, and hatred, or embarrassment.
However, during the proceedings on Wednesday, the photographer went on to make the point that Smith was able to bring the cybercrime charge to the court while he had been doing things similar to him.
“Mr. Smith has done similar things to me, on the internet. He posted my young child on the internet [in] a purposed news article, claiming I’m a bugger man and all these things. All these things were done to me by Mr. Smith. And when I went to the police, no case was able to pass the police and come to the court for a normal citizen.”
Bruce continued, “But Mr. Smith was able to walk up to CID headquarters and get his way and have me here standing before you and have my life in disarray for the past two years. And I am asking myself, is that really justice?” Bruce asked.
The Magistrate replied that he can only deal with what is before the Court.
“I have a charge before me for which I have taken all the evidence in […]. The ball is entirely in my court to review the evidence and make a decision on the sole case that is before me.”
The Magistrate further encouraged Bruce to follow up with the Police or even seek advice from his attorney, Benard Da Silva.
In January of 2022, Bruce was arrested three days after Smith, through his online publication ‘Big Smith News Watch,’ made a public reward of $1 million for information leading to the identity of the players behind the “Mudwata” character and the “Guyana Uncut” page.
Smith made this offer after a video was posted by “Mudwata” casting aspersions on his character. At the time of Bruce’s arrest, the Police had said several pieces of electronic equipment were seized from his DD Eccles, EBD home.
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