Bert Samuels retires from courtroom battles

Bert Samuels, a towering figure in Jamaica's legal fraternity, marked his exit from courtroom battles with a spectacular victory in the high-profile Petrojam fraud case.

Teaming up with his mentor and veteran attorney KD Knight, Samuels defended accused public servants Dr Perceval Bahado-Singh and Floyd Grindley against corruption charges that had captured national attention.

Knight and attorney Bianca Samuels represented Grindley, while Samuels and Matthew Hyatt appeared for Singh.

"This was my last case in my 45-year career," Samuels shared with THE STAR, his voice laced with a mix of relief and triumph.

"To end it alongside KD, who I haven't worked with in 35 years, makes it a fitting swan song."

Samuels' journey reflects his unwavering commitment to justice and legal excellence. The former head boy at Meadowbrook High School qualified as an attorney-at-law in 1979, appearing in several high-profile cases, among them being the 1983 Dennis 'Shortie' Jenkins matter. Shortie was tried for the rape and murder of Diane Smith, a second-form student of Immaculate Conception High School. Samuels was also the lead attorney for Shawn 'Shawn Storm' Campbell, in his appeal against his conviction for the murder of Clive 'Lizard' Williams.

Samuels' last case - the Petrojam fraud matter - was based on allegations that Dr Bahado-Singh and Grindley benefited improperly from their role at the state-owned oil refinery. The men were found not guilty in the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court.

Samuels said the allegations were most unfortunate.

"Dr Singh grew up in a children's home from he was three years old and has given selfless service to Jamaica," Samuels reasoned.

Knight, who described the trial as one of his toughest cases, credited the judge for her impartiality.

"This started with a lot of political noise, and she cut through it all to deliver justice," he said.

For Samuels, the victory was personal and symbolic. "This case is a celebration of Michael Manley's legacy of free education, which allowed me to become an attorney," he said. "On the 100th anniversary of his birth, we're reminded of the power of justice and opportunity."

Despite the jubilation, Samuels admitted the road wasn't easy. "I thought we'd be convicted. It gave me nightmares," he confessed. "But the judge's summation was eloquent and reasoned. She couldn't find guilt beyond a reasonable doubt."

Samuels now plans to shift his focus to mentoring and teaching the next generation of attorneys. "I'm not retiring as a lawyer, just from the courtroom," he said. "It's time for young lawyers to take on the big cases."