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
Turks and Caicos, February 7, 2025 – The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force (RTCIPF) remains committed to ensuring
justice and enhancing public safety.
On January 30, 2025, JERMAINE WELCH, 26, of Kew Town, Providenciales, was sentenced to one year in prison after pleading guilty to TWO COUNTS of BURGLARY for offences committed in 2024.
The court heard that on December 1, 2024, a business establishment on Airport Road, Providenciales, was secured by its owner. Upon returning the next day (December 2), the owner discovered that the premises had been broken into and burglarized. CCTV footage from the establishment identified Mr. Welch as the perpetrator.
A similar incident occurred on December 6, 2024, when another business owner secured their establishment, only to return on December 7 and find it had also been burglarized. CCTV footage from this location also identified Mr. Welch as the culprit.
Following a thorough investigation, Mr. Welch was arrested on December 11, 2024, and subsequently charged.
Acting Superintendent Grantly Williams, Head of Serious Crime, Safeguarding, and Public Protection, emphasized the critical role of security systems in crime prevention.
“The use of CCTV footage significantly aided our officers in arresting and charging the accused. I strongly encourage businesses and homeowners to take proactive measures by installing reliable security systems. If you already have one in place, please ensure it is regularly servicedmand fully operational. These systems assist in solving crimes and serve as a deterrent to potential offenders. Become a hard target by safeguarding yourself and your property.”
The RT&CIPF asks the public to notify the closest police station, contact 911, the Serious Crime Unit at 231-1842, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-8477 to anonymously provide any information on illegal activities. Additionally, individuals are encouraged to download the Crime Stoppers P3 app to share information anonymously.
Turks and Caicos, February 7, 2025 – A 20-year-old Dock Yard male pleaded guilty to four charges today (January 31) following a
robbery which occurred in 2024. JAMES SIMON is expected to be sentenced on April 03rd, 2025, having been convicted for the following offences:
- One Count Possession of Firearm
- One Count Possession of Ammunition
- One Count Robbery
- One Count using a Firearm in the Commission of a Serious Offence
Based on the evidence presented before the court, Mr. Simon was arrested on May 02, 2024, along South Dock Road, where he was found with an illegal firearm.
Acting Superintendent in charge of Crime, Safeguarding and Public Protection Grantley Williams said, “Given the prevalence of firearm-related incidents, the Force has successfully removed one more illegal firearm from our streets. I applaud my officers for their vigilance and
dedication to their duty. I urge the public to assist us by reporting illegal firearms—if you have any information, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us.
Please contact the Serious Crime Unit at 231-1842, Crime Stoppers at 1-800-8477, or you can also anonymously share information via the Crime Stoppers P3 app. Together, we can make the Turks and Caicos Islands safer.”
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – The Turks and Caicos Islanders will be given the opportunity to view the 2025/2026 Electors List from today February 1st, 2025. Supervisor of Elections Lister Dudley Lewis will post the Electors List of voters to seventy-three (73) locations across the Turks and Caicos Islands. (It is important to remind the public that they would have had to be registered by November 30th 2023 to be eligible to vote in the February 7th 2025 General Election.)
After publication of the Electors List, Registered voters will have fourteen (14) days to scrutinize it and make any claims or objections. Electors can make claims on their own or on behalf of others, as set out in Form 5 of the Elections Ordinance similarly, objections can be made as set out in Form 6.
An Elector who is off Island for the next two (2) weeks may appoint an agent to act on his/her behalf as set out in Form 7. The Agent must produce a sworn affidavit that he/she are acting on the Claimant’s behalf.
Claims and Objections can be submitted to the Elections Office on Pond Street Grand Turk, Providenciales Elections Office Caribbean Place Leeward Highway and District Commissioner’s Officers or by e-mail to electionsdept@gov.tc
The Electors List will be available for viewing in the ten (10) Electoral Districts and elections Web page from today https://gov.tc/elections/
All Forms can be obtained from the Elections Office Grand Turk, Providenciales Elections Office and District Commissioner’s Officers.
The Electors List can be viewed at the following locations:
See Full list here: Electors List 2025[19]
ED 1 – Grand Turk North ED 2 – Grand Turk South & Salt Cay
Fulford’s Gas Station IGA Supermarket
Sunny Food Store (West Road) Do-it-Centre
Durham’s Home Centre Sunny Foods
John Missick Bar (West Road) Grand Turk Library
Shop Rite Grocery Store Grand Turk International Airport
Things Galore Store (Over Back) DC’s Office Salt Cay
A&H Hair Supply (Over Back) Community Centre (Salt Cay)
Fishermen Paradise (Over Back) Grand Turk Liquors
Poop Deck Restaurant (Pond Street) Grace Bay Pharmacy (Church Folly)
ED 3 – South Caicos ED 4 – Middle and North Caicos
Airport Terminal Dist. Commissioner’s Office Conch Bar
District Commissioner’s Office Community Centre, Bambarra
Seaview Marina Government Clinic, Lorimers
Super value Supermarket Dist. Commissioner’s Office Bottle Creek
G & H Enterprise Kevin’s Enterprise
Government Treasury Digicel Store Bottle Creek
Community Centre Kew
Community Centre Whitby
Community Centre Sandy Point
ED 5 – Leeward ED – 6 The Bight
Sand Castle Convenience Store Ocean Club Convenience Store
TCI Ferry Service Ocean Club Convenience Store
IBO Store Kathleen’s 7 – 11 Store
Rick’s Flamingo Café Rubis Grace Bay Petro Mart
Rubis Gas Station
Grace way Gourmet Supermarket
Rubis Gas Station Longbay
ED 7 – Cheshire Hall & Richmond Hill ED – 8 Blue Hills
The Library Keyse’s Variety Store
Grant’s Gas Station Publo Wash House
The Post Office Chicken Shack
Betty’s Store Kew Town The African Store
Black’s Store Kew Town Grace Variety Store
Chinson’s Grill Shack Lapel’s TCI Dry Cleaners
Discount Liquors G K Supermarket
Provo Discount Store Parker’s Variety Party Store
Building Material Do-It-Centre
Grace way IGA Supermarket
ED 9 – Five Cays ED 10 – Wheeland
Mackey’s Automotive Froggies on the Beach
Kitch’s Restaurant Frank’s Store 4U
Hole in the Wall Restaurant Red Zone Variety Store
Gilly’s Café International Airport
Shallende’s Auto Parts N Service
Walkin Service Station
Liz Bakery
Caicos Oil Mart
Lister Dudley Lewis
Supervisor of Elections
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