Suspect Late for Court, $5 Bar Attempted Murder Trial pending

By Wilkie Arthur

Freelance Court Reporter

#TurksandCaicos, May 30, 2023 – Jarell Clarke was missing when his named was called in court on Monday 22, to face charges related to the 2020 exchange of gunfire case, which resulted in a bystander being hit in the spray of bullets; the matter is before Tanya Lobban-Jackson, Lady Justice at the TCI Supreme Court.

A scramble by his case lawyer, Astwood Forbes, reaped results.  Forbes begged the honourable Court to please stand the matter down for a few minutes, as he step outside to make some calls and try to locate his client with a view of getting him here at court before the matter was re-called.  The court indulged the attorney.

Clarke made it in time for a subsequent mention hearing of his matter.

The accused is charged with the discharging of a weapon in an exchange of gunfire between his side and the rivalry side.

Unfortunately in the middle of that reckless shooting, an innocent young father was struck in face/head and his life has never the same. The man, Jonathan Paul, is now demobilized, requiring regular assistance despite medical treatment both locally and abroad.

Initially, four individuals were charged with attempted murder in the case from Sunday February 16, 2020.  Three of those suspects have since gone on to win their trials, all acquitted.

The men – said to be from rival factions from the Blue Hills and Five Cays communities – were accused of using high powered weapons in the exchange at the popular Five Dollar Bar.

As for Jarell Clarke, he remains out on bail, pending his trial in February 2024.