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Preliminary inquiry for gynaecologist accused of raping patient

By BARBARA GAYLE, STAR Writer

PRELIMINARY INQUIRY began on Tuesday into charges of rape and indecent assault against Dr. Matt Myrie, 31, a gynaecologist accused of committing the offences on a patient at the Victoria Jubilee Hospital last February.

The complainant outlined to the court what had taken place in the ultrasound room at the hospital. The hearing is being held in private, and cross-examination has been put off to July 27.

It is being alleged that on February 26, Dr. Myrie committed the offences on a patient in the ultrasound room at the Victoria Jubilee Hospital to which he was attached.

Lawyers denied requests

Attorneys-at-law Hugh Thompson, Thalia Maragh and Natasha Thompson, representing Dr. Myrie, complained to Resident Magistrate Desiree Alleyne that despite requests to visit the ultra sound room and to get copies of photographs which were allegedly taken at the crime scene, they have not been successful.

The lawyers said if their requests were not met Dr. Myrie would be severely prejudiced in the preparation of his defence. They said too that if Dr. Myrie's requests were not met, then it would be a breach of his constitutional right because he was entitled to a fair trial.

The RM agreed that under section 20 (6) Dr. Myrie was entitled to a fair trial and adjourned the hearing to give the defence sufficient time for the relevant authorities to assist them with the requests.

Dr. Myrie, charged with two counts of rape and one count of indecent assault, is on $500,000 bail.

In the meanwhile Nurse Janet Spence, charged with attempting to bribe the complainant in Dr. Myrie's case, is on bail and is to return to court next month. She is accused of offering the complainant $500,000 to drop the case.