Portuguese Merdagate
By Manuel Luciano da Silva, Medical Doctor

Table of contents:

(1) General Explanation of the Court Case or Legal Suit

(2) Why the name Merdagate?

(3) Chronology of the events: Portuguese Court Decisions and their translations into English:

(4) Lower Court – Tribunal of the City of Ribeira Grande, Island of São Miguel, Azores
Date: July 3rd, 1971. Decision: GUILTY

(5) Court of Appeals or Tribunal da Relação, Lisbon, Portugal
Date: January 21, 1972. Decision : GUILTY

(6) Portuguese Supreme Court, Lisbon, Portugal
Date: April 4, 1973 . Decision: GUILTY

(7) Articles in the American Newspapers

(8) Articles in the Portuguese-American Magazine and Radio talk shows – with their translations into English

(9) Periods when DeCarvalho was Portuguese Consul in Rhode Island

(9)-A Types of Portuguese Consuls

(10) Copies of some passports in which De Carvalho did not sign them because he had been suspended

(11) The four suits by Mr. Manuel De Carvalho against Dr. Manuel da Silva
Date: February 8, 1972

(12) Dr. Manuel Da Silva’s Defence: Date:February 28, 1972

(13) Deposition by Dr. Manuel da Silva BEFORE the Trial

(14) Deposition by Mr. Manuel de Carvalho BEFORE the Trial

(15) Subpoena for Dr. Da Silva to appear on Superior Court for the beginning of the Trial. Date February 22, 1972

(16) Plaintiff's Memorandum or Suit presented to Superior Court

(17) Defendant’s Trial Memorandum and Defendant’s Request for Instructions

(18) The Judge of the Superior Court presiding the Trial: Honorable Judge Bourcier

(19) The Lawyers:
      For Mr. Manuel A. De Carvalho—Abraham Belilove
      For Dr. Manuel L. Da Silva -- Knight Edwards and Joseph V. Cavanagh

(20) Testimonials in Court:
    
Testimony By Mr. Manuel A. De Carvalho
     Testimony by Dr. Manuel Da Silva
          

(21) Members of the Jury

(22) Verdict of the Superior Court by Jury decision -- WIN for Dr. Manuel L. da Silva   Date -- March 3, 1977

(23)  Decision of the Rhode Supreme Court – RECONFIRMATION of the WIN for Dr. da Silva  Date: May 1980

(24) What happened to Manuel DeCarvalho after the Court decisions?

(25)  What happen to Dr. Manuel Da Silva after the Court decisions?

(26)  What happened to the Portuguese Consulate in Providence after the Court Decisions?

(27) Have the Portuguese Diplomats learned the lesson from the scandal that happened in Providence?

(28) Words and Letters from my true friends

(29) My family's position during all this  legal suit case.

(30) What do I think of all this after 30 years are gone by?!

 

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