Crime

Youth Day marred by Murder in Grand Turk

Published

8 months ago

October 4, 2023

Shanieka

Dana Malcolm

Staff Writer

#TurksandCaicosIslands, October 4, 2023 – Residents have been left heartbroken after tragedy struck this weekend as what was supposed to be a celebration of youth turned into a murder scene leaving 21-year-old Sevano Wilson Jr
dead; questions are now raised about the lack of police presence at the gathering held on Governor’s Beach in Grand Turk.

Officers are expected to be stationed at large events as a deterrent to misbehavior and in order to swiftly respond in case of any outbreak of violence. Instead, the TCI Police had to react to the melee, which was caught on cell phone video. The video showed nearly four minutes of chaos, screaming, yelling, shouting and cursing as the fight ballooned out of control; Wilson,
according to some killed at the scene. Police arrived when it was too late, crucial minutes lost because they were not stationed at the event.

In their report, Police confirm their absence when they say they were called around 8:41 to Governors Beach on reports of a stabbing. Wilson was rushed to hospital but died while undergoing treatment. The Police did not comment on the circumstances behind the incident or indicate whether a suspect was in custody.

Dileeni Daniel Selvaratnam, TCI Governor, in a joint statement with Washington Misick, TCI Premier, is describing the violent altercation as merciless.

“Addressing these matters as a community must be our priority. We are gravely concerned by and strongly condemn the merciless taking of life. Reckless actions can lead to irreversible consequences,” The Governor said in a joint September 30th press release with the Premier’s Office, a day after the deadly incident.

It marks the 15th murder of the year and one of the youngest victims to be lost to violence in the country in 2023. It is the second murder for Grand Turk this year; both men were stabbed to death.

This latest homicide has left many Turks and Caicos residents in a state of shock and mourning yet again. It is an emotional mix fanned by feelings that such a young person was brutally killed on National Youth Day holiday, the day set aside to celebrate younger generations but also the family from which the young man hails and the new eruption of anger this killing revives in the small community.

Rachel Taylor, Minister of Education and Youth who had led an otherwise successful week of youth events before the tragedy said, “The death of this young man has left my Ministry, members of the youth day planning committees and I completely shaken with shock and sadness. Many families have suffered loss of some kind with this incident. The lives of many young people have been impacted; those who may have witnessed the incident and now are traumatized, those who may have participated and now must face the consequences of their actions.”

She has encouraged Turks and Caicos Islanders not to grow weary in encouraging and praying for youth locally.

Related Topics:#MagneticMedia #murder#crime #TCINews

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Crime

Male Charged with Robbery

Published

4 days ago

May 13, 2024

Deandrea Hamilton

#TurksandCaicos, May 13, 2024 – Detectives of the Serious Crime Unit of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force have charged a man who allegedly stole a vehicle.

The accused, DANVANTE BRISCO, 30, of Kew Town, Providenciales, was charged with:

One Count: Robbery
One Count: Taking Motor Vehicle Without Authority
One Count: Using Offensive Weapon to cause fear

Mr. BRISCO appeared in court today (May 13 ) and was granted bail of $7500.00 with one surety.

The matter was adjourned to July 05 for a Sufficiency Hearing.

Crime

Dock Yard Male Charged

Published

4 days ago

May 13, 2024

Deandrea Hamilton

#TurksandCaicos, May 13, 2024 – A 20-year-old Dock Yard male appeared in court today (May 13th) charged with a series of firearm-related offences.

The accused, JAMES SIMON, was denied bail and remanded into custody pending a Sufficiency Hearing scheduled for July 05^th, 2024.

Mr. SIMON faces the following charges: 

One Count: Robbery;
One Count: Gang Membership
One Count: Possession of a Firearm for the Benefit of a Gang
One Count: Possession of Ammunition for the Benefit of a Gang.

The charges against Mr. Simon followed investigations by officers of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force into a robbery at the parking lot of a Casino where three males robbed a victim.

Additionally, Mr. Simon is charged with the following offences, having been arrested on May 02^nd, 2024, along South Dock Road.

One Count: Possession of a Firearm
One Count: Possession of Ammunition
One Count: Unlawful Entry

Officers also charged a teenage minor who was in the company of Mr. Simon on May 02^nd with One Count of UNLAWFUL ENTRY.

The accused, seventeen and from Kew Town, Providenciales, pleaded guilty and will be sentenced on May 20^th.

Crime

Plea & Directions exposes Attorney Not Ready, Accused changes Plea and alleged fake gunman remanded to Prison

Published

6 days ago

May 12, 2024

Shanieka

Wilkie Arthur

Freelance Court Correspondent

At the Plea and Direction Hearing (PDH) on Thursday 25th April, 2024, a number of matters from the list were adjourned to the next PDH on 31st May, 2024 and some to other dates for various reasons.

The first case called was that of GINO GERBEX. He is represented by Mrs Kimone Tennant. He pleaded not guilty to two charges of conspiracy to supply a firearm and ammunition along with JUMILLO ISMA and others unknown. The charges were read to him via video link from the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (DCR).

It reads that GINO GERBEX acting together with JUMILLO ISMA and others conspired to supply a gun and ammunition on dates between 27th December 2022 to 25th June 2023. His remand was extended to his trial date to commence on 04th October 2024 for two weeks in the Grand Turk Supreme Court.

Up next was the case of MELIUS PIERRE.

No charges were read to him as his attorney, Mr.Astwood Forbes, was not yet ready to proceed due to the fact he was not able to speak to his client as yet to take instruction. He is in prison on remand.

Presiding justice in all the criminal matters for Thursdays April 25 was Mr Justice Chris Selochan and Ms. Roseanne Richardson was for the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, who was present in court throughout.

The court was not pleased that the accused had been coming to court repeatedly, and due to his attorney not seeing or speaking to him, the matter had to be adjourned to a later date once again.

Deputy DPP Dr. Angela Brooks said she’s ready to proceed as she already attended court some five or more times in this matter and the matter has not progressed.

The judge set a next PDH date for May 3, 2024.

The accused has very serious immigration charges, such as returning to the Islands contrary to deportation order, aggravated assisting illegal entry and illegal entry.

Following was KADEN LIGHTBOURE, who pleaded not guilty for possession of imitation firearm with intent to cause fear.

It is alleged that on 15th January this year, he used an imitation firearm to cause fear to other persons. This alleged incident was in North Backsalina, Grand Turk.

Lightbourne is remanded until his trial commences on 20th June this year.

His lawyer, the Hon. Mr. Willin Belliard indicated to the judge and prosecutor that he has filed a bail application for his client that is expected to be heard next week.

Meanwhile, his remand continues.

JOHN SPENCER MISSICK has two lawyers, Mrs. Kimone Tennant represents him on an aggravated burglary involving a firearm (home invasion style) along with others as he acting together on 31st July, 2023 they did invade the occupants and stole a number of items such as:

Louis Vuitton bag value at $2000.00.
Gucci sunglasses value at $795.00.
Burberry sunglasses value at $395.00.
$700.00 in cash.
A mini laptop value at $800.00.
Laptop case value at $20.00.
A Michael Kors wallet/bag value at $188.00.
$300.00 in cash

Among other valuable items as well as identification cards, drivers licenses,etc, to a total value of nearly $6500.00.

SPENCER pleaded guilty with an explanation but was stopped immediately by Judge Selochan and his attorney because there’s really no such thing as ‘guilty with an explanation.’

Even though this is sometimes used at arraignment it is either you plead guilty or not guilty. T

he judge then questioned his attorney, Mrs Kimone Tennant, and she told the judge that was not in line with her instructions when she and Missick met and discussed this case. She invited the judge to allow her some more time to speak with Missick before this arraignment continues.

The judge then granted the attorney’s request and advised that no other charges be put to him at this time.

The case was then adjourned to the next plea and directions hearing on May 31st 2024.

Missick’s second case was called, and his other lawyer, Ms. Sheena Mair asked for more time to speak with him as well, and it was granted.

Both matters put to the same date, and his remand was extended to that date as well.