By Latrishka Thomas
The next time transgender social media personality Washington Bramble goes before the court for statements made online about a local official, it will be before a High Court Judge.
The 41-year-old is said to have uploaded a video and made insulting posts on Facebook about Chief Health Inspector Sharon Martin on February 8th and 9th this year.
The defendant allegedly created the first post after health inspectors visited her home in response to a neighbour’s report to the Central Board of Health that Bramble had thrown faeces onto their property.
The next day the accused reportedly posted another message directed at the Chief Health Inspector.
Yesterday, Magistrate Conliffe Clarke declared that there is enough evidence against her to send the matter to the higher court where a judge and jury will have the final say.
After the Magistrate told Bramble that her case will be a part of the January assizes, she was informed that she could say something on her behalf but it could be used against her at her trial.
She was advised to speak to her lawyer Justin Simon before uttering a word and despite Simon advising the accused to remain silent and reserve her defense for the High Court, she chose to make a statement.
Bramble began by saying that while she accepts the Magistrate’s decision, “the police have no case”.
“The police took my devices yet they were unable to gather [any] form of forensic evidence from my devices. What they have are screenshots which can be manipulated in photo editing software such a Photoshop,” she continued.
The Hatton resident then went on to say that while pursuing a Masters in IT Security, she was “taught that in order for a screenshot to be admissible in court it must be proven through digital forensic science that the message in fact came from the account of the accused person”.
The defendant also claimed that some of the witnesses in the case “have a stake in the matter and therefore have a reason to lie or be biased”.
She disclosed that she even filed a lawsuit against some of them, including the complainant.
“At least two witnesses are subordinates of Martin and will have a reason to issue false statements against me,” she also asserted.
Now, anytime from January, Bramble will be arraigned and should she plead not guilty, the prosecution could call over 10 persons to testify against her.
