The parent company behind Julian Willock’s website Virgin Islands News Online was denied its request to overturn a court’s default judgment in a libel and defamation suit, court records show.
High Court Justice Vicki-Ann Ellis ordered the dismissal of Advance Marketing and Professional Services’ request, according to a Nov. 6 order made public last Thursday.
On Sept. 25, Master Charlesworth Tabor had entered a default judgment against Mr. Willock and VINO’s former editor, Carmelita Jamieson, in favour of claimant Dr. Hubert O’Neal, after Mr. Willock failed to file a defence.
In a press release, AMPS asserted that it had asked the High Court to set aside that default judgment, but Ms. Ellis said her court was the wrong forum for the request: The company would have to go instead before the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court of Appeal.
Additionally, she ordered Mr. Willock to pay Dr. O’Neal $750 to cover the cost of responding to Mr. Willock’s application, the Nov. 6 order states.
In his suit, which was filed on Feb. 15, Dr. O’Neal alleged that VINO libeled and defamed him in an article published on Dec. 15, 2011.
VINO and AMPS, however, have stood by the story.
See the Nov. 15, 2012 edition for full coverage.
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