Caroner Graveney Bannister
Caroner Graveney Bannister

In December 2020 Emma McManus the former wife of John Paul McManus and the son of JP McManus died while holidaying at the plush Sandy Lane Estate at one of the villas. JP McManus is known to be one of the owners of the world class property.

Of interest to the blogmaster is the decision to stage inquest into the death of Emma McManus in camera. The high court had previously held that the case should be held in private and Caroner Magistrate Graveney Bannister upheld a request from McManus’ lawyers to remove the press from the room. Interesting the decision came at the point the toxicology report was about to be shared in the proceedings.

From all reports it seems the McManus legal team has a problem with Caroner Graveney Banister. The bane of contention with the goodly magistrate is a disputed phone call between John Paul McManus and Bannister after Emma McManus’ death, where it is alleged the partying group that included the late Emma McManus had been snorting cocaine. John Paul McManus latter clawed back from the alleged reported statement to Bannister. WHY THE HELL WOULD MAGISTRATE BANISTER MAKE UP SUCH A STATEMENT IS WHAT INQUIRING MINDS WOULD LIKE TO KNOW.

The saying that something smells rotten in Denmark seems very appropriate to anyone following the coroner’s inquiry into Emma McManus’ death. 

The blogmaster is all about transparency and justice. That a rich foreigner would accuse an officer of the local court of telling a lie is big news. This blogmaster has been patient since the news broke in December 2020 waiting for an outcome, however, it seems this is one of those matters that will be moved on the roster until the matter fades from public interest. What the blogmaster would do to secure a copy of the toxicology report. If the report identified cocaine or some narcotic traces in the body of Emma McManus at the time of her death it would support the contentious statement that illegal drugs were being consumed AND that alleged conversation took place?

One can speculate if the inquest involved a member of the blue collar community the decision to switch to in camera to shield proceedings from the public would be a moot consideration. The blogmaster is aware there is keen interest from the outside world in the matter and how it eventually turns out has implications for how onlookers will view the delivery of justice in Barbados. Hopefully this is not a case of a small country being bullied by the money class.

The other inquiry ongoing into the death of Stewart Mottley, brother of Prime Minister Mottley in June 2021 is also of interest. The fact the matter is being prosecuted by the Elliot Mottley, father of the deceased is also interesting. The blogmaster will reserve comment on the matter for now and take the opportunity to extend condolences to Prime Minister Mottley and family.

102 responses to “Media Barred from Emma McManus’ Inquest”


  1. […] Arising from the story it was reported in the traditional media on the 20 April 2023 local police confirmed the matter was being investigated. The also confirmed what is generally known- an autopsy will have to be performed to determine the cause of death. The blogmaster takes this opportunity to issue a gentle reminder about a related matter stuck in the ‘system’ – Media Barred from Emma McManus’ Inquest. […]


  2. What is the latest on the Emma McManus Inquest?

    Inquest review to resume next month

    THE JUDICIAL REVIEW OF Magistrate Graveney Bannister’s decision in his Coroner’s Inquest into the death of Warren Mottley has been adjourned until next month.
    When it resumes, Magistrate Bannister is expected to face crossexamination from the legal team representing Dr Sahle Griffith.
    It was on December 23, last year, that Magistrate Bannister found that the conduct of the two doctors who treated Mottley amounted to a criminal act.
    No fault of juniors
    In addition he determined there was “gross” negligence exhibited by Griffith and anaesthesiologist Dr Nigel Farnum in Mottley’s care and that junior doctors could not be blamed.
    “Warren Mottley went into Surgical Solutions for a routine colonoscopy, a routine procedure but he did not come out. That should not have happened if due care had been used,” the Coroner declared.
    “Having reviewed the evidence before this inquest, in my view it was a failure to diagnose or misdiagnose; a failure to treat the infection or shock. It was breach of duty which gave rise to an obvious and serious risk of death. The conduct was egregious; an egregious failure to exhibit the minimum standard of care on Warren Mottley or it was a gross dereliction of care,” the Coroner held.
    However, Griffith’s legal team of Senior Counsel Ralph Thorne, Senior Counsel Hal Gollop and attorney Emerald Griffith, have filed a motion for judicial review, asking the High Court to find that the coroner acted in a manner that was contrary to law; that he exceeded his jurisdiction; that he breached the principles of natural justice; that he acted unreasonably in the exercise of his discretion; that he acted upon irrelevant considerations; that he acted in breach of the Coroner’s Act; that he acted in the absence of evidence on which his finding could reasonably be based; and that he gave a verdict that exceeded his powers.
    Hearing adjourned
    Yesterday after case management, Justice Shona Griffith adjourned hearing until October 4.
    Senior Counsel Roger Forde, along with Solicitor General Anika Jackson, SC, and attorney Nicole Boyce appeared for the Attorney General, the Commissioner of Police and Magistrate Bannister.
    Magistrate Bannister’s decision had brought the curtain down on the sixmonth-long coroner’s inquest which investigated the death of Prime Minister Mia Mottley’s brother on June 29, 2021.

    Source: Nation

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