Connect with us

News

TCI Senior Prosecutor under fire

Published

on

By Deandrea Hamilton and Dana Malcolm

Editorial Staff

 

#TurksandCaicos, August 4, 2022 – Residents of the Turks and Caicos are concerned after a Jamaican media house broke the news that  a prosecutor employed to the Turks and Caicos Islands Judiciary is facing major charges against her character in her native Jamaica, but Director of Public Prosecutions Eugene Otuonye says the judiciary is on top of it.

DPP Otuonye spoke to Magnetic Media on Tuesday to reassure Islanders the case is being reviewed at the highest levels of the judiciary including the Attorney General and Chief Justice to determine how it will affect Sophia Thomas’s tenure in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Thomas is currently senior public prosecutor in the Office of the DPP.

“We are considering that decision and its implications for her employment as a public officer with TCIG and her professional standing as a Prosecutor and an Attorney. The decision taken by the relevant TCI authorities will be communicated in the normal way.” He said, noting that the review process is a fast moving one.

The Jamaica Gleaner has reported that in a verdict handed down on Friday, Sophia  Thomas became the first Jamaican prosecutor in history to be found guilty of professional misconduct.

Thomas was found to have violated the canons of professional ethics during a 2017 fraud case which had to be thrown out because of the mix-up.

But Thomas’s attorney, to Magnetic Media described the case as not due to her own ignorance and maintains  that she has a strong case for appeal.

Hugh Wildman informed, not only does he have concerns about the level of expertise of the lawyers in the case, he says his client was declared guilty before proceedings were even over.

“The chairman of the panel, Ms. Small, invited me to make a mitigation plea when the case was not yet finished.” He explained

Accused individuals found innocent do not need a mitigation plea. When she was reminded that the case was not finished, Small reportedly apologized profusely.

He says the idea that any of the attorneys hearing the case could make a premature decision was concerning to him as it meant his client did not get a fair hearing.

“That is part of the problem when you have lawyers trying lawyers. You can have a person that has a vendetta against you and you don’t know.”

Wildman explained that having competitors hear cases against each other was impractical and suggested it would make more sense to have retired court judges sitting in on cases like this.

Additionally the lawyers who heard the case do not have criminal trial experience which he thinks is a major issue.

“These are civil lawyers, these are inexperienced persons who have never had a criminal trial.  She is a prosecutor and she understands what a prosecutor has to do to get out evidence. These are people who don’t have that experience— it is unfair to Ms Thomas to have these people judging her in a case like this.”

Wildman shared that Thomas had the support of both past and present lawyers in Jamaica and the UK who were outraged at the case and the outcome.

As reported by Jamaican media and confirmed by Wildman, Thomas presented a photocopied document to the court. Thomas said it was the original but there were at least 11 discrepancies between it and the actual original.

Apparently the original could not be found and the witness who penned it was asked to rewrite it resulting in the changes. Having been handed the documents with very little time before trial Thomas’s attorney contends she did not know about the changes and at any rate the written statement was only to jog the witness’ memory.

When the discrepancies were revealed The Jamaican DPP said the prosecution would drop the case that same day.

Thomas was hired to represent the Turks and Caicos in 2021, which was also after the complaint was filed in Jamaica.  While residents questioned the wisdom of taking on a public prosecutor with such serious allegation looming, but the Turks and Caicos DPP said the decision to hire her was not arbitrary.

Otuonye, a QC, explained that Thomas had come highly recommended from the DPPs office in Jamaica and the recommendation carried significant weight in the hiring process.

Sophia Thomas was also acting Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions in Jamaica.

Wildman says his primary objective is to get the “blemish” on Thomas’s career overturned but did not rule out the possibility of suing for compensation.

News

DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM REGULATIONS INTRODUCES “RATE YOUR RIDE” SYSTEM FOR TOURISTS VISITING THE TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS

Published

on

FROM THE MINISTRY OF TOURISM

 

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, 27th March, 2024 – Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands: The Department of Tourism Regulations is proud to unveil the “Rate Your Ride” system, a new initiative designed to enhance the vacation experience for tourists exploring our picturesque islands.

The “Rate Your Ride” system empowers tourists to provide valuable feedback on the quality of transportation services they receive while visiting the Turks and Caicos Islands. Through an easy-to-use online form, tourists can rate factors such as cleanliness, comfort, safety, and professionalism of drivers, helping us to assure the highest quality of service standards across all modes of transportation.

By participating in the “Rate Your Ride” system, tourists play a crucial role in shaping the future of transportation services in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Their feedback will enable us to identify areas for improvement and ensure that every visitor enjoys safe, comfortable, and convenient travel throughout their stay in the Turks and Caicos.

The code will also be publicly accessible through the cooperation of volunteer drivers who will make the rating code available in their vehicles. Flyers and stickers displaying the code will be distributed at hotels, resorts and airports. The mandated display of these codes is expected to align with the rollout of our tourism regulations in 2025.

For more information about the “Rate Your Ride” system and other initiatives by the Department of Tourism Regulations, please visit gov.tc/tourismregulations/or contact us via telephone at 946-4970 and email at tourismregulations@gov.tc.

Continue Reading

News

THE DEPARTMENT OF BEHAVIOURAL HEALTH SERVICES CONDEMNS RECORDING OF PERSONS WHO ARE IN CRISIS

Published

on

FROM THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

 

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, 27th March 2024– The Department of Behavioral Health Services is appealing to the general public to refrain from recording and circulating videos of persons who may appear to be experiencing a mental health crisis. Anyone can experience a mental health crisis at some point in their life. According to the World Health Organization, 1 in 4 people will experience a mental health problem in any given year. Persons may struggle with very common conditions such as Anxiety and Depression or be diagnosed with more serious conditions like Bipolar Disorder or Psychosis.

“There are a lot of misunderstandings about various mental health conditions and how they may manifest. In addition, there are a number of negative perceptions and misconceptions that society exhibits towards people with mental health problems. However, just as we would show care and concern for someone diagnosed with Cancer, or any other physical illness, in the same way, we need to be as caring and helpful to persons with mental illnesses”– stated Director of the Department of Behavioral Health Services, Dr. Alicia Malcolm.

The Department is urging the public to call the following numbers if you see someone who appears to be experiencing a mental health crisis:

338-5473/338-3616: Providenciales, North or Middle Caicos

338-3614/338-3612: Grand Turk, South Caicos, Salt Cay

338-6301: Nights and Weekends

If someone is putting themselves or someone else in immediate, serious risk of harm, call 911.

The Department of Behavioral Health services is here to help and provides the following services which are free and confidential:

Location of above services:

o             Sam Harvey Building, Down Town, Providenciales,

o             Primary Health Care Department, Cheshire Hall Medical Center, Providenciales 

o             Department of Behavioural Health, Duncombe Alley, Grand Turk

 

Let’s all do our part in creating a community where people with mental health problems feel respected, supported and cared for. 

For additional information, please visit the Ministry of Health’s Facebook page on https://www.facebook.com/tciministryofhealth/ or the Department of Behavioral Health Services Faceebook on https://www.facebook.com/TCIDBHS/.

Continue Reading

News

Breaking Ground: TCI Could Lead in Regional Communication Standards

Published

on

Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom, 27th March 2024: The PR, marketing, and communications sector is poised for potential growth and could lead the Caribbean region in terms of industry standards says Damian Wilson. Wilson’s suggestion comes after the release of a new research report into the current trends and future direction of the sector as a possible emerging industry in the Turks & Caicos Islands (TCI).

Wilson is the report’s author, which conveys the findings of research which he initiated. “One of the key research results is the considerable optimism by industry practitioners and government alike, with persons seeing growth potential. I believe that we can become regional leaders in this field. I believe that one of the initiatives that could be used to do this is by establishing a ‘TCI Centre of Communications Excellence’ within the TCI Community College. Such an institute would be dedicated to communication and media innovation with a particular focus on digital communications and ICT,” says Wilson.

He further explained, “I believe that the PR, marketing, and communications sector, like much of the country, is at a crossroads and could have an even greater impact on our socio-economic fabric. Some may have concerns about our small size, but I believe this makes us far more agile than our neighbours. All in all, any potential growth must be underpinned by new investments, professional development, and a strategy to integrate the sector into the broader economy.”

Wilson also said that he sees his research as a first step in understanding our own industry sectors in the TCI and would love to see more profound research and analysis conducted. He’s hoping that the report will spark discussion along those lines. The report is entitled ‘Current Trends and Future Direction: A Preliminary Report on the PR, Marketing, and Communications Sector in the Turks & Caicos Islands’. Anyone wanting a copy of the report can contact Damian Wilson via his email, damian.wilson.pr@gmail.com.

Continue Reading

FIND US ON FACEBOOK

TRENDING