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Police quiz three suspects in Hampton Street murder

Lisa Brown
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Police quiz three suspects in Hampton Street murder

Nassau, Bahamas -Police have detained three suspects in the murder of 29-year-old Deano Gordon at Hampton Street.

Gordon was gunned down in a surprise attack as he stood in the street around 12:30pm on April 7.

A witness said three gunmen emerged from a black Toyota Passo and continued shooting Gordon after he fell to the ground. Gordon died at the scene.

A policeman in the area heard the gunfire and had a shootout with the gunmen.

The officer was not hurt. None of the men in custody were shot.

The gunmen fled the scene by heading west on Hampton Street and north onto Mount Royal Avenue.

Police later found the getaway car abandoned on Carib Road, off Mackey Street.

The murder took place during a 24-hour curfew imposed to contain community spread of the coronavirus.

Residents are supposed to be confined to their homes or yards unless they work in essential services or are doing necessary shopping.

11 Cuban Migrants intercepted at sea

Lisa Brown
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11 Cuban Migrants intercepted at sea

The Bahamas plans to repatriate 11 Cuban migrants intercepted off Anguilla Cay around 4am Friday, April 10.

The arrest was a joint effort between the Royal Bahamas Defence Force and the US Coast Guard.

The Cuban migrants were screened for coronavirus on arrest. Additionally, a team from the Ministry of Health examined them again when they arrived at the Defence Force base at Coral Harbour.

The migrants are now in the custody of the Department of Immigration. They will remain quarantined before they are transferred to the Detention Center.

The Defence Force vessels have established a blockade off the northern Bahamas to protect the country’s borders in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.


Man jailed for breaking curfew

Lisa Brown
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Man jailed for breaking curfew

Nassau, BAHAMAS-A 22-year-old man has been jailed for four months after he ignored a lockdown intended to curb community spread of the coronavirus.

Police arrested Michael Smith, of Firetrail Road, as he walked near St. Andrews Beach Estates around 12:45am on April 9.

Smith admitted a charge of violation of curfew at his arraignment before Deputy Chief Magistrate Andrew Forbes on Thursday.

Smith’s arrest came soon after a mandatory lockdown designed to slow the spread of the coronavirus took effect.

The lockdown that began 9pm on April 8 will end at 5am April 14.

It requires all residents, except essential workers, to stay at home.

Prosecuting Sergeant Kenny Thompson told the court that Smith told arresting officers he had been kicked out of his home. He claimed that he was on the way to the Elizabeth Estates Police Station.

Stay at home

When the magistrate asked Smith why he was on the street, he replied, “I was hanging out with a friend.”

Magistrate Forbes said, “They said not to hang out; they said to stay home.”

The magistrate added, “Let me explain something to you, there is a 24-hour stay at home order, shelter in place it should be called, not curfew.

“Unless you are an essential worker, your responsibility is to stay within your house, unless you’re going to the food store, to the bank or to the pharmacy.”

252 curfew violators charged

The magistrate convicted Smith and gave him the option of paying a $500 fine to avoid spending four months in prison.

Smith said he didn’t have the money. As a result, he was sent to prison.

People who flout the curfew and lockdown orders face a maximum of 18 months in prison and fines up to $10,000.

To date, police have prosecuted 252 persons for failing to adhere to the curfews and lockdowns.


More lockdowns to come

Prime Minister Hubert Minnis said the country would undergo weekend lockdowns during April.

The shutdowns are intended to stop gatherings and community spread of the deadly coronavirus.

He said, “We must stay apart as much as possible to prevent the spread of this coronavirus and more deaths. That is why I began the curfew and lockdown measures.”

“They are essential to save lives. As prime minister and as a medical doctor, it is my duty to do what is necessary to protect our people. We, therefore, had to strengthen measures because we are in a surge and there is community spread.”

As of April 9, the country had 41 confirmed cases of COVID-19, including eight deaths.



Teen thieves blame crime on COVID-19

Lisa Brown
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Teen thieves blame crime on COVID-19

Nassau, Bahamas- Two teen thieves blamed their crime on hard times caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

James Pratt, 19, and a 14-year-old, who cannot be named, broke into Dwayne Russell’s home on April 8, and stole two cases of non-alcoholic drinks, valued at $69.

They pleaded guilty to housebreaking and stealing at their arraignment before Deputy Chief Magistrate Andrew Forbes.

The magistrate asked Pratt why he committed the crime.

Pratt said, “At the time, there wasn’t nothing at home. This coronavirus stopped me from working.”

The magistrate asked, “So your solution to the problem was to go in somebody’s house and take it?”

Pratt said that he was unable to find work because of the deadly disease that has caused job losses around the world.

Forbes asked, “So, what would have happened if the person met you in his house?”
Pratt replied, “He could have killed me?”
Forbes said, “And, then, we wouldn’t be here having this conversation.”

The juvenile claimed that the crime was his idea. The magistrate appeared shocked that Pratt allowed someone five years his junior to influence him.

Because of their youth, Forbes made a finding of guilt but didn’t record a conviction.

Instead, he placed them on probation for 12 months. During this period, they cannot associate with each other.

Additionally, the were put on a court-ordered curfew that requires them to be at home by 8pm from Monday to Sunday.

The matter has been adjourned to September 15 for a status hearing.

Bahamas bans import of face masks to support local makers

Lisa Brown
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0
Bahamas bans import of face masks to support local makers

Nassau, BAHAMAS-Prime Minister Hubert Minnis has blocked the wholesale importation of non-medical masks into the country, effective Friday, April 10.

As The Bahamas tries to reduce the local spread of the coronavirus, everyone must wear masks that cover the nose and mouth when outside.

The prime minister said, “The move is an effort to protect the local mask manufacturing industry that has sprung up overnight as a result of the COVID-19 virus.”

He continued, “We are working to protect and encourage small businesses and to create and promote jobs. I am happy to see so many seamstresses and tailors involved in this growing industry.”

Despite the newly introduced ban, masks ordered prior to April 10 will be allowed into the country.

The importation ban does not apply to medical-grade masks for healthcare workers. Orders of 10 non-medical masks or fewer intended for personal use can also be imported.

At the moment, there is no criminal penalty for failing to wear a mask. However, grocery stores and other essential businesses can refuse entry to people without masks.

As of today, there are 41 confirmed cases of the coronavirus, including eight deaths.

Second suspect charged in woman’s murder

Lisa Brown
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0
Second suspect charged in woman’s murder

Nassau, BAHAMAS- A second suspect is in custody in connection with the murder of Cynthia Bertha Wilson.

Johnathan Lee Eyma, 27, of Faith Avenue, appeared before Deputy Chief Magistrate Andrew Forbes April 9 on the murder charge.

Prosecutors say that Eyma, and others, gunned down Wilson outside her home at Lazaretto Road on March 13.

Eyma did not have to enter a plea to the charge and denied bail.

Last month police charged Yvenette Philips charged with Wilson’s murder.

They are both on remand at the Bahamas Department of Corrections.

Both men return to court on May 26 to receive voluntary bills of indictment that will send the case to the Supreme Court.

It’s now mandatory to wear masks outside

Lisa Brown
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0
It’s now mandatory to wear masks outside

Nassau, BAHAMAS- Effective immediately, all residents of The Bahamas must wear masks covering their nose and mouth when they leave home.

Under the April 8 order from Prime Minister Hubert Minnis, grocery stores and other essential businesses can deny entry to people not wearing masks.

The move is another measure to slow the community spread of the highly contagious coronavirus, as the number of local cases continue to surge.

As of Wednesday, April 8, there were 40 known cases of COVID-19, including seven deaths.

The order does not say what type of mask should be worn or the penalty for failing to wear one.

However, with a worldwide shortage of personal protective equipment for health care workers, Health Minister Dr. Duane Sands has said that medical grade masks should be reserved for the professionals.

At a press conference yesterday, Minister of Health Dr. Duane Sands suggested that regular citizens wear cloth masks.

He explained, “By wearing masks we limit the escape of particles when we speak, or when we breathe, and this will reduce the potential for the virus to spread.”

Country now under lockdown

Only essential workers are allowed on the streets during a lockdown that came into effect at 9pm Wednesday and ends at 5am Tuesday, April 14.

Dr. Sands said the purpose of the lockdown is to force physical distancing – one of the ways to reduce the spread of COVID-19.

He said, Countries with the worst outbreaks have had to shift to lockdowns as a means to bluntly reduce the spread. The situation is that grave.”

The country had its first lockdown from April 3 through 6.

Before the lockdown, the country had been under a 24-hour curfew since March 24.

Residents were supposed to be confined to their homes unless they were carrying out essential business.

People who fail to adhere to the curfew and lockdown face maximum prison sentences of 18 months and fines up to $10,000.

 

 

 

Westminster College loses court battle over property

Lisa Brown
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0
Westminster College loses court battle over property

Nassau, BAHAMAS – A school embroiled in a battle over property ownership has three months to remove a wall and road.

Montague Investments sued Westminster School for trespass on its Blake Road property.

Justice Indra Charles found that the school committed trespass by constructing a wall, fence and paved road on Montague’s property.

Montague acquired 6.06 acres of land in September 2013.

A land survey plan showed that the neighboring school had encroached Montague’s land.

Montague Investment’s Director Steve Carey in 2014 asked Dr. R E Cooper, pastor of Mission Baptist Church and the school’s president, to remove the encroachments on their property.

After the complaint wasn’t addressed, Montague through its attorneys Lenox Paton, wrote a letter to the school’s principal in February 2015 demanding the removal of the wall and road.

The lawyers sent the same letter to Dr. Cooper.

After getting no response, Montague began court proceedings.

Dr. Cooper admitted to the trespass and the the construction was encroaching on property belonging to Montague.

The court ordered the defendants to pull down and remove the wall, fence and portion of the road within three months of April 14.

 

Woman who threatened cops online makes court-ordered apology

Lisa Brown
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0
Woman who threatened cops online makes court-ordered apology

Nassau, BAHAMAS- A student has apologised for a profane rant against police.

Jamie Miller’s court-ordered apology came one day after her guilty plea to threats of death.

Miller expressed her anti-police feelings on her Twitter and Facebook accounts.

Chief Magistrate Joyann Ferguson-Pratt on April 6 directed the University of The Bahamas business major to apologise on the same social media platforms that she made the offensive posts.

In order to maintain a clean criminal record, the 21-year-old had to make a public apology for her remarks by midnight April 7.

Additionally, Miller has to complete anger management classes and personally apologise to WPC D’andre Cadet at her next court appearance on August 6.

Please forgive me

On her Facebook account, Miller said, “On Sunday April 5th 2020, I posted on Twitter and Facebook certain remarks referring to police officers. My sentiments were highly offensive and threatening to WPC D’andre Cadet and members of the Royal Bahamas Police Force. The remarks that I posted were out of character and that type of behaviour should have never happened.

“I grew up in a family, where I was taught that the police are our friends; they are our protectors; and they are to be respected. To the commissioner of police, all of his hardworking and dedicated police officers, inclusive of WPC 3912 Cadet, my family members, friends, and all those who were offended by my posts, I sincerely apologise from the bottom of my heart for what I have done.”

Bad memories

She made the threatening posts after a video of two police officers arresting a man in the Kemp Road area on April 5 went viral. A group of people tried to prevent the arrest and an officer fired several shots from his firearm.

Miller posted the video on her Facebook account and commented: “That’s only two police. They should have killed them.”

Then she tweeted, “Nassau police so f*** up. I don’t know why people just don’t start killing them for nothing. ”

After viewing the video and Miller’s, WPC 3912 D’andre Cadet made a complaint to the Central Detective Unit saying that she feared for her life.

Police arrested Miller at her home. When they asked her why she wanted police dead, Miller said that’s how she felt after she saw the video.

Attorney Lennox Coleby said the video brought back memories of a painful encounter that Miller had with police three years ago.

 

Police charge suspect in drug-related murder

Lisa Brown
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2
Police charge suspect in drug-related murder

Nassau, BAHAMAS- A murder suspect is behind bars after detectives closed an investigation into a fatal shooting in Mars Bay, Andros.

Clinton Forbes, of Mars Bay, Andros, is charged with the drug-related shooting of Calvin Harrison-Rolle on April 1.

Police found his bullet-riddled body near a park in the settlement.

Prosecutors allege that Forbes killed the deceased over stolen drugs.

Forbes, whose street name is Gun, did not enter a plea to the murder charge when he made his initial court appearance on April 7.

As a result, Forbes was denied bail and returns to court on July 2.

At that time, prosecutors intend to fast-track his case to the Supreme Court by a voluntary bill of indictment.

Ian Cargill represents Forbes.

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