NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Darion Smith, 33, and Ostonya Walker, 29, the mother of four-year-old D’Onya “Bella” Walker, who died last Friday as a result of blunt force trauma, were arraigned in a Magistrate’s Court yesterday. The pair appeared before Chief Magistrate Joyann Ferguson-Pratt. Prosecutors alleged that on November 5, Smith intentionally and unlawfully caused the […]
Tag: court news
TWO YEARS LATER: Police to probe lead investigator in Gibson bribery trial
NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Police have launched an investigation into Superintendent Debra Thompson, the lead investigator in the bribery trial of former Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) Cabinet Minister Shane Gibson. Gibson’s lawyer, Owen Wells, confirmed to Eyewitness News that he and his client met with Police Commissioner Paul Rolle and Assistant Commissioner Craig Stubbs on Friday. […]
19-year-old woman apparently choked in viral video charged with assault of police
NASSAU, BAHAMAS — A 19-year-old woman who was seen being choked and strangled on a viral video this week has been charged with assault and obstruction of two police officers. Treasure Torrelli and her boyfriend, Charlton Deal, 24, appeared before Senior Magistrate Carolyn Vogt Evans yesterday. Deal is charged with seven counts in total, including one […]
Man awarded over $82,000 for police assault two years ago
Pedro Morley had a gun held to his head and his teeth punched out NASSAU, BAHAMAS — A man who was assaulted by a police constable and held at gunpoint in 2019 has been awarded over $82,000 in damages. According to court documents, Pedro Morley and a woman were speaking outside of the downtown nightclub […]
Attorney one step closer to day in court with suit against Magistrate Carloyn Vogt-Evans
NASSAU, BAHAMAS — A Supreme Court judge yesterday ruled that attorney Romona Farquharson’s lawsuit against Magistrate Carloyn Vogt-Evans, who found her guilty of contempt of court in March 2017 after a heated exchange, will proceed to trial. The ruling handed down Wednesday dealt with the judge’s application to have Farquharson’s amended statement of claim and […]
NOTICE OF APPEAL: Govt to contest Supreme Court ruling that invalidates VBIs signed by assistant DPP
Ruling could effectively nullify any voluntary bill of indictment signed by David Bakibinga NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Attorney General Ryan Pinder confirmed yesterday that the director of public prosecutions (DPP) has filed a notice of appeal against a recent Supreme Court ruling that found a voluntary bill of indictment (VBI) signed by Assistant Director of Public […]
Man who took $872 in ‘mutilated’ BSD to Central Bank given conditional discharge
NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Leslie Hendrick Bodie, 50, was given a conditional discharge when he appeared in a Magistrate’s Court just over two weeks ago charged with stealing by finding $872 “mutilated” Bahamian notes in September. While the arraignment took place on September 30, the case went viral on social media yesterday, but conflated the sum […]
THE READ: ARCHANGEL MICHAEL, CATALYST OR JUST MORE CHAOS?
NASSAU, BAHAMAS — In Christianity, the archangel Michael is depicted as a great captain and warrior protecting the children of Israel from the forces of evil. In the Book of Revelation, Michael leads angels in a victorious struggle over the devil, who is cast out of heaven. Shervandaze Smith took a sledgehammer to the Christopher […]
‘I’M NOT CRAZY’: Court orders psych evaluation for man who took sledgehammer to Columbus statue
Man who referred to himself as “Michael the Archangel” claims he was touched by the Holy Spirit Matter adjourned to November 15 NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Shervandaze “Archangel” Smith insisted in court yesterday that he was in his right mind when he took a sledgehammer to the Christopher Columbus statue on the grounds of Government House […]
VINDICATION: Teen jailed for breaking curfew to get food to apply for record expungement
“We have to be very careful as to how we criminalize the wider society” Attorneys encourage others to come forward NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Attorneys for a teenager who was arrested and fined $500 for breaching the COVID-19 curfew last August will seek to have his record expunged by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Committee. This comes […]
COA denies more time for appeal of case involving former finance minister
Court rules delay in filing appeal application inexcusable NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The Court of Appeal has denied a Bahamian-registered company additional time to appeal a judge’s decision to refuse its judicial review application. TGO LTD, formerly Texas Gas & Oil Ltd, in a case in which former Finance Minister K Peter Turnquest was listed as […]
“NO PROSPECT OF SUCCESS”: COA affirms 25-year sentence of armed robber
NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The Court of Appeal yesterday affirmed the 25-year sentence of a man convicted of armed robbery in 2018, noting that “none of the grounds advanced by the intended appellant has any realistic prospect of success”. Court of Appeal Justices Jon Isaacs, Maureen Crane-Scott and Milton Evans ruled on the matter. In September […]
APPEAL DISMISSED: Man to serve just over five years for drugs and firearm possession
NASSAU, BAHAMAS — A man who appealed his conviction for firearm and drug possession will serve out the remainder of his prison term after the Court of Appeal rejected his appeal, noting that the evidence presented before the trial judge supported the conviction. Kenton Ferguson will serve five years and one month from the date […]
Man paid over $163,000 in police brutality and unlawful arrest case
Officer punched out plaintiff’s teeth while he was handcuffed “No man is above the law” NASSAU, BAHAMAS — A Bahamian man has been awarded just over $163,000 in damages from the Supreme Court after winning a more than five-year legal battle in which he alleged that police officers detained him as he was returning a […]
Man accused of stealing 55 FNM posters valued at $495
NASSAU, BAHAMAS — A 41-year-old man yesterday pleaded not guilty to stealing 55 Free National Movement (FNM) posters valued at $495 in the Mount Moriah constituency over the weekend. Matthew Oman Sandilands, of Melvern Road, appeared before Magistrate Shaka Serville. Prosecutors allege that between August 20 and August 22, Sandilands stole the “It’s about your […]
TWO YEARS BEHIND BARS: Jamaican men jailed for drug bust; pair tells court they did it for their families
NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Two Jamaican men found with over 92 pounds of marijuana were yesterday sentenced to two years’ imprisonment for possession of a dangerous drug with intent to supply. When Damond Shawn, 44, and Daniel Grant, 24, were arraigned before Magistrate Samuel McKinney yesterday morning, they each pleaded guilty to one count of possession […]
COMPENSATION UPPED: $750,000 awarded to Kenyan taxi driver falsely detained for seven years
NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The Court of Appeal yesterday awarded Kenyan national Douglas Ngumi, who was unlawfully detained at the Carmichael Road Detention Centre for nearly seven years, three-quarters of a million dollars —$109,000 more than the Supreme Court awarded. In their ruling, Court of Appeal Justices Sir Michael Barnett, Milton Evans and Jon Isaacs increased […]
US receiver seeking to recover $2 million over Long Island land deal
US Federal Trade Commission (FTC): “the largest overseas real estate investment scam” NASSAU, BAHAMAS — A court-appointed receiver is seeking to recoup some $2 million in connection with an illegal land deal involving hundreds of acres of land on Long Island. The US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) described it as “the largest overseas real estate […]