By Artesia Davis ~ Guardian Senior Reporter ~ artesia@nasguard.com:
Former convict Nicodemus Johnson represented himself at a hearing held this week to determine if he'll be admitted to the Bahamas Bar Association, The Nassau Guardian has learned.
According to a source, no decision has been made, but Johnson reportedly faces an "uphill battle" in convincing the Bar Association to accept his petition for admission.
Johnson had originally hired former Bar Association President Wayne Munroe to represent him at the closed hearing, but he decided to present his own petition on Thursday. The move was reminiscent of Johnson's decision to dismiss his lawyer and represent himself at his criminal trial at which he was convicted of kidnapping. The trial judge, Acting Justice Malcolm Adderley, complimented Johnson at his facility in cross-examining witnesses.
According to a well-placed source, many senior lawyers are opposed to an ex-con joining their ranks.
The source, who is also a lawyer, pointed out that if Johnson were a lawyer when he committed the crime for which he was convicted, he would have been disbarred. The lawyer was of the view that it did not matter that Johnson's crime occurred before he completed his legal studies.
In an earlier interview, Munroe said he did not understand the opposition to Johnson becoming a lawyer since he has paid his debt to society. He pointed out that lawyers who have been disbarred for criminal conduct have been allowed to practice again.
Saturday January 23, 2010
