Canadian Youtuber Christopher “Chris Must List” Hughes has had the date for his sedition trial set for January, next year.
Hughes appeared virtually before Acting Chief Magistrate Christine Charles this morning.
Representing himself, Hughes requested a lengthy adjournment as he said that he has trips booked including to Africa and could only return to Trinidad after January 7.
Hughes also enquired whether he could participate in the case via video conferencing while continuing his travels.
Magistrate Charles said she had no power to vary his bail conditions including one that requires him to return to this country for each court appearance. She advised him to apply to the High Court for a variation.
Hughes’ fired attorneys, Russell Warner, applied during the hearing for him, Pamela Elder, SC, and Anand Ramlogan, SC, to withdraw from the case.
Warner said: “We are regrettably at an impasse with Mr Hughes and are forced to withdraw.”
The application was granted.
Earlier this week, Hughes indicated that he would represent himself after he received a US$50,000 invoice from some members of his legal team after only two court appearances.
He reiterated the position before Magistrate Charles.
“For the time being I am going to stand before the court and defend myself,” he said.
However, he did not rule out retaining another attorney before the case goes to trial.
“I will make a decision before the next hearing,” he said.
Magistrate Charles warned him of the potential consequences if he is eventually convicted.
“The maximum penalty is a term of imprisonment of two years,” she said.
Before adjourning the case to January 14, Magistrate Charles set deadlines for prosecutors from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to file and serve the remaining evidence against Hughes.
Prosecutor Valene Guerra-Abraham indicated that the “bulk” of the evidence had been disclosed except two to three witness statements. The remaining evidence is expected to be disclosed by the end of next month.
The sedition charges relate to videos Hughes posted during a lengthy visit to this country, earlier this year.