It hasn't been making major local news, but Edward Broaster, Deputy Commissioner of Police, is still in court trying to collect on a judgment debt he won against attorney Oscar Selgado for defamation of character.
Back in February 2019, Acting Chief Justice Michelle Arana ordered Selgado to pay Broaster $30,000 in compensation and $12,500 in cost. That's after the judge ruled that Selgado unfairly defamed the career cop.
The dispute dates back to May 6, 2015, when Selgado went on Channel 5 and alleged that Broaster abused his authority and inflicted physical abuse against Luis Campos, who Selgado was representing.
After presiding over a full trial, Acting Chief Justice Arana ruled, quote, "The words spoken by the Defendant are defamatory in every sense. The description given by the Defendant on that newscast would lead right-thinking people to believe that Mr. Broaster, (a police officer sworn to uphold the laws of this country), committed several crimes…against Mr. Campos on that day. I also find that the comments made by the Defendant were designed to ridicule and disparage the Claimant in his profession…
I… find that the injuries observed by the medical practitioner… were in my view consistent with the justifiable force meted out by the police in subduing Mr. Campos, and not due to any beating..." End quote.
Selgado disagreed with the ruling, and on February 27, 2019, he filed an appeal. When Broaster's attorney attempted to collect on security for cost in the sum of $15,000, Selgado applied to the court for a stay of execution.
That led to a legal back-and-forth in which the Court of Appeal had to examine the issue more closely.
By way of an affidavit, Selgado outlined why he was opposing an application for security for cost. Among other reasons, Selgado came to the conclusion that the trial judge made errors, which he thinks could be overturned at the Appeal Court.
He also swore in writing that he was not in a position to agree to $15,000 for the security for costs. Viewers will remember that in July 2019, Selgado was charged for the offense of abetment to commit murder, and is awaiting trial for allegedly trying to hire a man to kill a former client of his.
After examining the entire matter, the panel of judges ruled although Selgado has little or no money at this time, they weren't satisfied that he cannot raise the funds to pay the security of cost. So, by way of a written judgment, which was handed down on Monday, the judges ordered Selgado to pay Broaster the security for costs within 30 days. They also ordered that he pay into an escrow account of Broaster's attorney. Finally, they ordered that if Selgado fails to comply and pay the security for cost within the 30 days, his appeal will be automatically dismissed.
