News
Complex start for Brian Williams Murder; Trial set for February 2024
#TurksandCaicos, November 25, 2023 – The murder case against JOUVLY INELUS, 31 for the 2022 shooting death of Brian Leon Williams, Jr was listed for pretrial review or readiness hearing on November 14.
Appearing for the Crown via link from Grand Turk was Mrs. Angela Brooks, Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions and the accused was also linked in from the prison.
His Lordship, Hon Mr. Justice Chris Selochan and the senior defense counsel Mrs. Lara Maroof Misick were present in the Providenciales Supreme Court.
At the hearing counsel for the defendant and the Judge outlined to the Deputy DPP certain areas of difficulty regarding further disclosure and/or the lack thereof.
At that hearing Magnetic Media learned that the Crown already lost one of its main witnesses who was initially deemed a vulnerable witness and whose identity was kept anonymous from the Defense.
This order was handed down in a private ex-parte hearing before her Ladyship the Hon Chief Justice Mrs. Mable Agyemang before the sufficiency hearing proceedings commenced.
An Anonymity Order granted in support of agreement to suppress the identity of the person who had agreed to testify on behalf of the Crown was compromised when one of two key witnesses of the Crown, revealed himself in an affidavit.
Having received the affidavit from the witness’ attorney, the Crown decided they will not be relying on him as part of the Crown’s case any longer. In light of that, at the hearing Mrs. Maroof-Misick asked the court and the Deputy DPP
to please provide her with that witness’ complete statement bearing his name and all details that were redacted previously, which had been served on the defense when he was under the anonymity order.
The judge agreed that the information was now fair game and should be given to the defense because it is now unused material since the Crown is not calling the individual as a witness in the murder trial next year FEBRUARY.
That former Crown witness whose name was mentioned repeatedly in opened court, also admitted in his sworn affidavit that he received money and lied in his initial investigative statement to the Police.
Mrs. Maroof Misick has already indicated to the Court and the prosecution that she may be making an abuse of process application to have the proceedings against her client permanently stayed having viewed the affidavit and if the no name “Witness #1” was a part of the alleged bribery as mentioned in the affidavit among other legal concerns, her client would not be able to receive a fair trial. Maroof-Misick said the matter against Inelus must be stayed/stopped against him.
Mrs. Brooks, who was in lieu of the actual prosecutor in the case indicated to the court that she could not properly address the Court on many of the matters raised at the hearing. She said, the case is assigned to Principal Public Prosecutor Mr. Clement Joseph but he’s away on medical leave.
The judge reminded all that this case is fixed for trial in February of next year and he doesn’t want to lose that date. He strongly encouraged Mrs. Brooks to have all the defense requests fulfilled, because February is right around the corner and he wants no further delays in this matter. He set the case for another pre-trial date on Tuesday November 21st, 2023.
The Blue Hills, Providenciales man was formally charged on Saturday 12th November, 2022 with the murder of Brian Leon Williams Jr. by officers of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force.
In addition to murder, Inelus also faces four counts of firearm-related offences namely:
Discharging a Firearm, Discharging Ammunition, Carrying a Firearm and Carrying Ammunition.
The homicide was took place on Thursday November 3rd 2022, Williams Jr. was shot and killed at a location known as Enid Forbes Yard, Hopeland Close, Blue Hills, Providenciales.
Turks and Caicos, January 20, 2025 – Her Excellency the Governor Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam chaired the 41st meeting of Cabinet held on December 11th, 2024. All members of Cabinet were present with the exception of Hon. Rhondalee Knowles, Attorney General, with Ms. Khalila Astwood acting as Attorney General.
At this meeting Cabinet:
- Considered proposals related to the 2022 Crown Land Review Report.
- Approved the mutation of parcels 60603/57, 60610/316, 60700/107, and 20313/47, 58 & 59 and for the same to be vested with the
TCI Airports Authority. - Received a presentation on proposals on the integration of Virtual and Augmented Reality (VR/AR) technologies into programs at the Turks and Caicos Community College.
- Approved the management authority of parcel 60503/315 to the Turks & Caicos Islands Sports Commission for multi-purpose use for the development of a community park and recreational facility.
- Received a presentation from the Turks and Caicos Islands Sports Commission on the establishment of a National Sports Training Centre.
- Received a presentation from the Turks and Caicos Islands Sports Commission regarding the establishment of a Department of Parks and Recreation.
- Received a presentation from the Ministry of Health on matters relating to the National Health Insurance Board.
- Approved the re-appointment of Mrs. Angela Musgrove as the Chief Executive Officer of Invest Turks and Caicos for a three-year term.
- Approved the appointment of Mr. Henry Wilson as a member to the Fisheries Advisory Committee.
- Noted the award of the following contracts in line with the process according to the provisions of the Public Procurement Ordinance; Contract Award Notification:
- PN 005690, TR 24/09, Upgrading Bight Park
- PN 005729, TR 24/23, Vehicles for Immigration
- PN 005730, TR 24/08, DDME Communication Equipment – Mobile Antenna
- PN 005765, TR 24/31, Redevelopment of Regatta Village
- TCINIB 01/2024, TR 24/26, Vehicles for NIB
Further information on these matters will be presented by Ministers in due course.
Turks and Caicos – Her Excellency the Governor Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam chaired the 40th meeting of Cabinet held on December 4th, 2024. All members of Cabinet were present, with the exception of Hon. Jamell Robinson, Deputy Premier and Hon. Rhondalee Braithwaite-Knowles, Attorney General, with Ms. Khalila Astwood, acting as Attorney General.
At this meeting Cabinet:
- Approved the Turks and Caicos Islands Fiscal Strategic Policy Statement.
- Approved the negotiation of a Development Agreement/Order with Retreat Development Ltd.
- Approved the transfer of excess revenue from the Consolidated Fund into the National Wealth Fund for the Financial Year Ending 31 March 2024.
- Approved Planning Application PR 17673 for a proposed watch tower and rest station on block and parcel 60000/345 for the TCI Regiment.
- Approved the negotiation of a license agreement with the Proprietors of Balfour Salt Ltd. for a period of 10 years.
- Approved the policy document for the use of Biometrics and Introducing an Electronic Travel Authority Requirement.
- Approved the appointment of Mr. Lynden Hall Snr. as a member of the Turks and Caicos Islands Gaming Control Commission Board for a period of two years.
- Approved the write-off of water charges and penalties in accordance with Section 52 of the Public Financial Management Ordinance 2012.
Further information on these matters will be presented by Ministers in due course.
January 20th, 2024 – Nassau, Bahamas – The Bahamas National Trust (BNT) proudly announces the release of its 2023-2024 Annual Impact Report, which documents key conservation milestones achieved from January 2023 to June 2024.
Highlights from the report include: completion of the BNT’s 2024-2029 Strategic Plan – a comprehensive roadmap to guide the organization’s efforts over the next five years; the declaration of Seahorse National Park in Eleuthera as the country’s 33rd national park; advancements in critical scientific research and the creation of conservation plans aimed at protecting endangered species; major infrastructure improvements in national parks, enhancing visitor access and recreational opportunities; and new strategic partnerships with
local and national organizations for collaborative national park management.
“The past 18 months have been a pivotal chapter for the BNT,” said Lakeshia Anderson-Rolle, Executive Director of The Bahamas National Trust. “With the unwavering support of our members, donors, and partners, we’ve expanded our national park system, advanced critical conservation efforts, made major infrastructure improvements in national parks, and connected thousands of Bahamians to their parks. These achievements underscore the power of collaboration and inspire us to continue building a future where people and nature thrive together.”
Looking to the future, the BNT’s 2024-2029 Strategic Plan prioritizes enhanced park management, tackling climate resilience, addressing invasive species, and strengthening community partnerships to ensure the sustainability of The Bahamas’ national parks.
The Bahamas National Trust extends heartfelt thanks to its supporters for making these achievements possible, and invites everyone to explore the full 2023-2024 Impact Report on its website at https://bnt.bs/2023-2024-impact-report/.
To learn more about the BNT’s role in managing national parks, protecting wildlife, and informing environmental policy, please visit its website: www.bnt.bs, and follow its various social media channels: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.
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