News
Deliberations Begin in SIPT, but no date given for VERDICTS of Four Accused
By Wilkie Arthur
Freelance Court Reporter
#TurksandCaicos, June 22, 2023 – Magnetic Media watching for nearly seven hours via YouTube, the final day of closing remarks or speeches to her Ladyship The Hon Chief Justice Ms. Mable Agyemang, on Friday 16th June, 2023.
The Prosecution had the final word or the right to the last reply before the Judge retired to begin her deliberations.
In rendering that ‘last reply’, the Prosecution maintained that despite some of the defense counsels attempts to stop
his final words in the judge-only trial, it will be delivered. Additionally, Andrew Mitchell, the defense counsel complained that the court was in breach of her Ladyship previous order/ judgement and in breach of section 42 of the Criminal Procedure Ordinance which gives the Crown the “right of reply” which is the final say to the judge or jury before considering a verdict.
The Hon Chief Justice (CJ) having heard the SIPT lead King’s Counsel prosecutor, questioned, one of the defense King’s Counsel Mr.Earl Witter via link as he was not present in court in person, regarding his correctional response submission and that he did it without leave of the court.
Her Ladyship said to Witter, KC that ‘you were given my orders previously along these lines and this is very disrespectful to me and this court to totally disobey my orders which is in line with the statutory provision.’
Senior KC Witter, when invited to speak by the learned CJ, told her ladyship that he was profoundly sorry and apologizes strongly for his actions against her ladyships’ order. He explained, it was nothing deliberately done.
Her Ladyship then proceeded to ask all the other defense King’s Counsels if they had followed her order; but save for except one, made it clear that he so did. All others were uncertain as to if they did or did not. The CJ then directed that she will disregard and not read any of the defenses’ correctional submissions for now unless she changes her mind later on.
Following this, lead prosecutor Mr. Andrew Mitchell KC, begun to outline his closing remarks in some areas individually regarding each defendant and in some areas collectively.
FLOYD HALL, JEFFREY HALL, MELBOURNE WILSON and CLAYTON GREEN heard the Prosecutor relived this very long case with his presentation to the court. He told the CJ that in her deliberations, she must remind herself of:-
- The defendants’ good character and he provided authoritative guidelines on how she should approach it.
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He reminded her about the burden of proof.
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He reminded her about “lies” and how she should treat lies, also providing her Ladyship with case authorities and support.
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He reminded her Ladyship about delays and how although this trial is many years old, the delays should not affect her judgment or her decision, and he provided case authorities in support of his point.
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He reminded the court that only Mr Jeffrey Hall did not give evidence/testify and that should not be used against him adversely because it was his right to refuse to testify.
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He reminded her Ladyship that each accused must be considered separately on each charge according to the evidence.
We heard about a number of different figures pertaining to the allegations and charges of suspicious and questionable money transactions against the four such as:-
= $77,000.00 (suspicious money transaction)
= $267,000.00 (Loan to Alden Smith aka Smokey)
= $200,000.00 (Deposited into TCI bank)
= $100,000.00 (questionable monies)
And some mentioned in the millions.
In Mr. Mitchell KC closing he asked her Ladyship if she can give a date when she will return with her verdict and she replied you would appreciate the magnitude of the task I have, so I’ll say nothing but when I see my way clear I’ll send word. She then thanked all counsel and their teams from:-
Mr. Andrew Mitchell KC for the crown.
Mr. Earl Witter KC for Floyd Hall.
Mr. Ian Wilkinson KC for Jeffrey Hall.
Mr. Richard Bendall for Clayton Greene.
And
Mr. Alair Shepherd KC for Melbourne Wilson
Corrected: June 26, 2023
by Deandrea Hamilton | Editor
PROVIDENCIALES, TCI — In a country where government press conferences are virtually non-existent, ministers are often difficult for
journalists to access and regular broadcast television news has disappeared, TCI Innovation, Technology and Energy Minister E. Jay Saunders has challenged Caribbean media to become “impossible to ignore.”
Speaking at the Caribbean Broadcasting Union gathering, Saunders argued that the Caribbean does not have a relevance problem but a “discoverability and positioning problem.”
Discoverability is precisely the issue in Saunders’ home country. Even Government’s own attempts at video news broadcasting have struggled against the realities of consistently producing a daily, weekly or even monthly newscast.
The difficulties confronting TCI media extend well beyond algorithms: limited advertising revenue, underfunding, shortages of trained professionals and insufficient human capacity leave newsrooms struggling for both staff and stamina.
Then there is the reality of operating in one of the region’s smallest societies. Politicians, journalists, advertisers, businesses and the subjects of stories often exist within the same tight economic and social circles. A controversial report that might create a ripple elsewhere can produce a tsunami in TCI, intensifying concerns among journalists about commercial and professional victimisation.
Saunders believes AI can help.
He urged Caribbean media to use the technology to transform one original story into television, radio, web, podcast, social and translated content without multiplying newsroom workload.
He also wants regional journalism structured so AI systems can find, understand and trust Caribbean sources, moving media beyond traditional SEO into Answer Engine Optimisation.
His ultimate message was emphatic: “Use AI not to make Caribbean media more artificial — but to make Caribbean voices more visible.”
For Turks and Caicos media, however, becoming visible may require more than technology. It requires an environment in which journalism can survive.
That last sentence is where I think we land the plane. It acknowledges that EJ actually has some us
Bahamas News
Bahama Brass Band Invitation Sparks Heritage Debate Ahead of TCI Constitutional Holiday
Turks and Caicos, August 20, 2026 – The planned participation of the Bahama Brass Band in the Turks and Caicos Islands’ inaugural Constitutional Holiday celebrations on August 30 has sparked public debate over culture, heritage and the historical contributions of Turks and Caicos Islanders abroad.
Organizers defended the invitation, saying the band’s inclusion is intended to highlight the deep historical ties between the two countries
and honor Turks and Caicos men who helped establish and develop the institution in Grand Bahama.
According to the organizers, the Bahama Brass Band began in 1955 in Pine Ridge, Freeport, with Turks and Caicos Islanders, including the late Deacon Reuben Hall Sr. of Middle Caicos and Jenkins Williams and Mervin Hendfield of North Caicos, among those who helped build its foundation. The band eventually grew to more than 50 men.
The organizers also pointed to the participation of Turks and Caicos men in The Bahamas’ Independence celebrations on July 10, 1973, arguing that their contributions became part of Bahamian history while maintaining strong connections to their homeland.
Supporters say bringing the band home represents an opportunity to honor those pioneers, showcase their regional influence and expose younger generations to an important part of Turks and Caicos history.
However, concerns raised publicly described the invitation as potentially disrespectful to local culture and heritage. Organizers acknowledged those concerns, apologizing to anyone who felt overlooked or offended, while maintaining that no disrespect was intended.
The committee said the event should ultimately unite rather than divide, presenting the band’s history as evidence of the reach and resilience of Turks and Caicos heritage.
PHOTO CREDIT: Bahamas Brass Band
News
BermudAir Launches New York Area’s First Nonstop Service to South Caicos, Now Just a 3.5 Hour Flight from Newark
Twice-Weekly Nonstop Flights Begin December 20 with Fares from $347 One Way, Creating Direct Access to Salterra Resort & Spa
– New Route Expands BermudAir’s Winter Turks & Caicos Network –
[New York, NY – August 20, 2026] – BermudAir, the leading premium leisure carrier to Bermuda and the Caribbean, today announced it will introduce nonstop flights to South Caicos from Newark this winter. The route places one of the Caribbean’s most secluded island destinations just 3.5 hours from the New York area for the first time.
The new service starts on December 20, 2026, operating on Sundays and Thursdays, and will be the only nonstop service to the destination
from the New York area. This seasonal service will operate through April 25, 2027. Fares start at $347 one way ($773 roundtrip) and go on sale today.
The new South Caicos route creates gives travelers two distinct luxury resort options, with direct access to Salterra, A Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, recently named the No. 1 resort in Turks and Caicos by Condé Nast Traveler.
Set across 85 beachfront acres with a 3,000-foot private white-sand beach, Salterra brings a full luxury resort experience to an island still defined by its historic salinas, pristine waters, bonefishing flats and uninhabited cays. Upon landing at South Caicos International Airport (XSC), guests are approximately 10 minutes from the resort.
While flights go on sale today, the airline’s BermudAir Holidays vacation-packaging division will offer curated travel to South Caicos from next month, featuring flights, hotels and authentic island experiences, with bundled discounts and value-added perks, making it even easier to explore the destination.
Previously BermudAir announced seven new routes to Providenciales in Turks and Caicos, from Newark (EWR), Boston (BOS), Baltimore-Washington (BWI), Raleigh-Durham (RDU), Fort Lauderdale (FLL), St Petersburg/Tampa (PIE) and Toronto (YYZ) which will all start in December except for Fort Lauderdale which begins October 26.
Expanded Winter Season
- To South Caicos:
- Twice-weekly nonstop from Newark (Sundays and Thursdays) from December 20 through April 25, 2027.
- To Turks and Caicos:
- Weekly nonstop from Newark (Saturdays) and one weekly direct service (Thursdays) from December 19 through April 29, 2027;
- Weekly nonstop service from Boston (Saturdays), from December 19 through May 1, 2027;
- Weekly nonstop service from Baltimore-Washington (Thursdays), from December 24 through April 29, 2027;
- Twice-weekly nonstop service from Raleigh-Durham (Thursdays and Sundays), from December 20 through May 2, 2027;
- Thrice-weekly service from Fort Lauderdale (Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays), from October 26 through May 3, 2027;
- Twice-weekly nonstop service from St Petersburg/Tampa (Mondays and Thursdays), from December 21 through May 3, 2027; and
- Weekly nonstop service from Toronto (Saturdays), from December 19 through May 1, 2027.
“We’re thrilled to continue expanding our Caribbean network as the premium leisure carrier from North America,” said Adam Scott, Founder and CEO of BermudAir. “Now New Yorkers can fly nonstop to two distinct sides of the Turks and Caicos Islands — Providenciales and the secluded island of South Caicos, home to the exquisite Salterra and Sailrock South Caicos resorts.”
The airline consistently earns Net Promoter Scores of 70+, one of the highest ratings in the airline industry. All flights will be operated on comfortable Embraer E190 aircraft, offering passengers the airline’s signature warm service and authentic island hospitality.
“South Caicos has always felt worlds away, and that is part of its magic,” said Michael Tibbetts, Founder and CEO of Salterra. “Beginning this winter, guests can fly nonstop from Newark in 3.5 hours, land at one of the newest international airports in the region and be at Salterra minutes later. This route makes a long weekend escape and an extended stay to one of the Caribbean’s most unspoiled islands remarkably easy, without changing the sense of discovery that makes South Caicos so special.”
For more information or to book flights, visit www.flybermudair.com. Salterra will offer dedicated stay packages timed to BermudAir’s Thursday and Sunday nonstop service. To book a stay at Salterra, A Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, visit www.salterra.com
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