Cornwall Bar joins chief justice in paying tribute to late Judge Sasha-Marie Ashley

WESTERN BUREAU:

The Cornwall Bar Association (CBA) is in mourning after it lost one of its stalwarts yesterday with the death of Judge Sasha-Marie Ashley, the senior parish judge for Hanover.

Ashley passed away after a period of illness.

Attorney-at-law Michael Hemmings, the president of the CBA, said Ashley, who he described as a friendly and engaging person both inside and outside the courtroom, would be sadly missed.

“What I can say is that she was a brilliant member of the judiciary, well loved by all, and she could disarm anyone with her smile. Her laughter and interactions amongst us can only be described as pleasant and memorable,” Hemmings told The Gleaner. “She was happiness personified. She will be truly missed by all.”

Ashley started her career as clerk of the court at the St James Resident Magistrate’s Court in 2005, before it was renamed the St James Parish Court. She later served as Crown counsel in the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, and eventually served as parish judge in Clarendon, Westmoreland, St James and, most recently, Hanover.

Fellow western Jamaica-based attorney Shelly-Ann Hyman described Ashley as an impartial jurist who always had a smile on her face.

“Judge Ashley had the brightest smile and the most pleasant personality. She was a fair and impartial judge and would allow all those who appeared before her to be heard in a non-judgemental way,” said Hyman. “It was a pleasure working with her in St James. She will be greatly missed.”

Attorney Martyn Thomas highlighted Ashley’s disciplined work ethic and professional approach to case management as some of her strongest attributes as a judge.

“At every stage of her career, she demonstrated discipline, integrity, and an unwavering commitment to the rule of law, and she managed her court with firmness and fairness, and treated all who appeared before her with dignity,” said Thomas. “She carried herself with quiet strength and professionalism, qualities that inspired confidence in the administration of justice. Jamaica has lost a bright judicial mind and a devoted public servant far too soon.”

Ashley presided over several noteworthy cases during her tenure as a judge in western Jamaica. One of those cases, from her time as the parish judge for St James, was the matter of Amoi Leon Issa, the mother of nine-year-old Gabriel King, who Ashley ordered on November 18, 2022 to give the police access to a cellular phone in order to aid the investigation into the child’s January 13, 2022 murder.

Another case of national importance over which Ashley presided was the matter of several members of the controversial Qahal Yahweh religious group, which was mentioned in the St James Parish Court prior to the official start of the defendants’ trial on April 8, 2024. The defendants in that matter were charged with breaching the Child Care and Protection Act and the Education Act following police raids at their Norwood, St James compound on June 7 and 30, 2023.

During her time as the Hanover Parish Court’s senior judge, in addition to her jurist duties, Ashley moderated the Judiciary of Jamaica’s National Public Education Day Symposium, held at the Hanover Parish Court on November 26, 2024.

Meanwhile, in a statement issued by the Court Administration Division on Monday, Chief Justice Bryan Sykes praised Ashley’s compassionate approach to the administration of justice.

“This tragedy is made all the more painful by the fact that her life and judicial career were still unfolding, marked by great promise, purpose, and service. Many among us worked closely with her, learned from her, and were inspired by her dedication to the administration of justice,” said Sykes.

christopher.thomas@gleanerjm.com