High Court Judge Malcolm Holdip has issued a stern warning to media personnel covering the high-profile murder of central businesswoman Vindra Naipaul-Coolman. He gave the reprimand yesterday after prosecutors raised issues with television reports on Naipaul-Coolman widower Rennie Coolman’s testimony in the trial that were broadcast on Monday night.
The controversial reports relate to Coolman’s admission that he paid a woman, purporting to be an employee with the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), a $75,000 bribe to avoid being prosecuted in the case. The woman had claimed that she would pay the bribe to the DPP and Senior Counsel Israel Khan, the lead prosecutor in the case. In giving the warning yesterday, Holdip advised reporters and editors to be accurate in their reporting on the trial.
He said: “I would like to indicate that the television media stepped clearly out of line. Editors must ensure that reports received reflect what happens in court.” Holdip also advised prosecutors to request and review copies of the reports to determine if the media houses who published them could be held liable. “This may lead to further action, criminal and civil. The contents of the remarks may amount to contempt of court,” Holdip said.
He suggested that the television stations review their reports and possibly issue retractions if necessary.