News
Quick GUILTY verdict; Man to be Sentenced for Gun and Ammunition Possession
Wilkie Arthur
Freelance Court Reporter
#TurksandCaicos, November 14, 2023 – Wednesday November 8th was the final day of a four-week-long unlicensed firearm and ammunition trial being held at the Grand Turk Supreme Court.
On trial for the unregistered gun and 12 rounds of ammunition was JEAN ETIENNE DOR aka FIRE of Five Cays, Providenciales.
Magnetic Media was in court for the jury decision in the matter, the accused having been on remand for over a year. A five-member jury; three women and two men with one of the males, speaking on behalf of the jury as the foreman,
delivered their conclusion after only two hours of deliberation.
Before being sent out for deliberation by the learned trial, Judge the Hon Mr. Justice Chris Selochan took around three hours with one break in between, to sum up the entire four week trial to the jury, reminding them repeatedly of what was the case against the accused and what was his defense in response to the Crown’s case.
The judge outlined to the jury, what was the law in relation to unregistered firearms and ammunition possession. He explained the burden of proof rests solely on the prosecution in criminal cases but he told the jury, that, there is a bit of burden that rest on the defendant as it relates to when one is charged with illegal possession of unregistered weapons.
Judge Selochan explained to the jury how they are to approach consideration of the evidence presented in the case against the accused.
The Judge took the jury back to the date of the police findings on April 25th, 2022, when a team of officers arrived at the home of Jean ETIENNE DOR armed with a warrant. Although the warrant was in the wrong name (not in the name of the accused), a search of the premises was conducted and found was a firearm in or on top of a barrel covered by a blanket in a room not occupied by the accused.
The wrong named warrant was raised as an issue during the trial by the senior defense counsel, Lara Maroof Misick.
The judge went on to tell the jury of certain things the accused said to the Police when and after the firearm was found. Even though, these various, different utterances were challenged and denied by the defendant, when it was his turn to give evidence in his own defence on the stand.
The judge reminded the jury, in his lengthy summing up, that they have to treat the case of the defense, with the same weight and importance as the prosecution’s case.
He went on telling them that it’s a matter for them how they regard the account of events as reported by the Police Force at the time of the search and arrest and what the accused man testified in the witness box.
The judge reminded the five member jury, when counsel for the defendant Mrs. Maroof Misick asked the officer(s) for notes, pertaining to their investigation stages, the officer(s) did not have any notes for some important areas, activities and alleged utterances of their investigation. The jury heard that what was important in that fact, as laid out by the defence attorney Maroof-Misick, is those notes – if they were signed by Jean Dor – could have been supplied to them, as members of the jury for review during the trial. Without that information, the judge said it was left for the jury to decide who they believe.
The police had said, the defendant told them he had someone living in that room where the firearm was found. He gave them a name that was mentioned in court. He said the person had recently left.
When testifying, the female officer who found the gun did admit to having had to remove clothing before reaching the blanket and under or in the blanket she found the gun; the gun was not in plain sight.
According to the Crown’s case, ETIENNE DOR had told police he was supposed to turn the gun in to a pastor. The judge continued and explained, the Crown is therefore saying Mr. Dor had knowledge of the gun in that room, which he said was, until recently occupied by a different man.
The Defendant’s version of events to the jury may have been more believable had the defendant’s DNA not been found in such a high ratio on the firearm, after it was forensically tested. During the trial, it was submitted that the DNA on the green and black gun came back with a strong, positive match for Jean Etienne Dor.
Still, during the judge’s summation the jury was reminded that the defense had an explanation for the DNA presence on the gun; that it could have been transferred there.
The DNA expert, when he testified did explained how transfers can and do occur as was possible in the instant case against the accused. The police did admit that certain testing and packaging of the firearm and ammunition was done in the open, in the presence of the accused. This suggests that his DNA could have been transferred on the firearm through communication while the gun was already in Police possession.
Evidence during trial also revealed that Dor’s was not the only DNA found on the firearm; other persons DNA was detected on the gun as well.
The police also said when the accused was asked about the gun, he said how his mother has a shop and plenty people round here robbing. He said he has bills, he works at the airport for some 14 years. He also said, I can’t explain it, it’s a long story. He initially had Chal Missick as his attorney when some of these many utterances were said.
The judge told the jury that throughout the investigation and the trial the defendant had a right to remain silent and nothing negative could have been taken from that because that would have been his right.
In the end, and after a mere two hours, the jury announced it had a decision and found the evidence as presented by the DPP’s office was believable; they found Jean Dor guilty as charged.
Sentencing in this matter is fixed for November 27th, 2023.
Senior Public prosecutor Ms. Tassja Mitchell represented the office of DPP in this trial. The defendant is facing seven years in prison for the firearm and the ammunition conviction.
Turks and Caicos Islands – March 10, 2026 – Commercial flights between Grand Turk and South Caicos have been temporarily discontinued, leaving residents without a direct air link between the two islands since March 1.
The Turks and Caicos Islands Government confirmed the suspension in a statement Tuesday, explaining that the route — which operates
under a government subsidy — is currently under review as officials reassess the tender process used to award the service.
The Ministry of Finance, Economic Development, Investment and Trade said the government is “working diligently to assess available options” to restore reliable air service between the islands as quickly as possible.
While the statement did not identify which airline had been operating the route, historically Caicos Express Airways and interCaribbean Airways have provided flights between South Caicos and Grand Turk using small twin-engine aircraft.
Officials acknowledged the disruption has caused concern among residents, noting that inter-island air travel is critical for access to essential services, business activity and government operations.
The government emphasized that the suspension does not affect flights between Grand Turk and Salt Cay, which continue to operate normally.
The review now underway will determine the next provider for the subsidized route. Authorities say the process must be conducted in a “fair, transparent and efficient manner” before service can resume.
For residents of the two islands, however, the immediate issue remains transportation — with many now forced to reroute through Providenciales or rely on limited sea travel until the air connection is restored.
Further updates are expected once the government completes its review and awards a new operating arrangement.
Angle by Deandrea Hamilton. Built with ChatGPT (AI). Magnetic Media — CAPTURING LIFE.
GLOBAL — Laws promising equality for women and girls exist in many countries around the world, yet millions still struggle to access justice when their rights are violated.
That stark reality is highlighted in a United Nations report titled “Ensuring and Strengthening Access to Justice for All Women
and Girls,” released ahead of International Women’s Day and the 70th session of the Commission on the Status of Women, which begins March 9 in New York.
The report points to what experts call an “implementation gap” — the disconnect between laws that guarantee equality and the real-world ability of women and girls to enforce those rights.
While legal frameworks promoting gender equality have expanded globally, the report warns that many women continue to face significant barriers when seeking justice.
Among the most common obstacles are high legal costs, long distances to courts and services, language barriers, and low levels of legal literacy. Many women also face what researchers describe as “time poverty,” balancing work and caregiving responsibilities that make pursuing legal action difficult.
Bias and stigma within justice systems themselves can also discourage women from reporting abuse or seeking legal remedies.
The report notes that girls often face distinct and overlooked barriers. In many cases, justice systems lack child-centred procedures, making it difficult for girls to safely report harm or access legal protection. Issues such as child marriage and early pregnancy can further complicate their ability to assert their rights, particularly when they remain legally dependent on family members who may also be the source of harm.
Older women also face unique challenges, often shaped by lifelong patterns of discrimination and economic disadvantage.
Gendered ageism can undermine their credibility, with complaints involving violence, neglect, health rights, pensions or property disputes sometimes dismissed or ignored.
The United Nations report also highlights structural weaknesses within justice systems, including limited budgets, shortages of trained personnel and poor coordination between institutions responsible for delivering justice services.
Another factor contributing to the enforcement gap is the continued male dominance within justice sector leadership, which researchers say can discourage women from engaging with institutions meant to protect them.
The findings come as the United Nations marks International Women’s Day under the theme “Rights. Justice. Action. For ALL Women and Girls,” a call for governments to move beyond commitments on paper and ensure that laws protecting women are fully enforced.
Global leaders say closing the gap between legislation and real-world outcomes remains one of the most urgent challenges in achieving gender equality and ensuring that women and girls everywhere can live safe, healthy and purposeful lives.
Developed by Deandrea Hamilton • with ChatGPT (AI) • edited by Magnetic Media.
CARIBBEAN — Jamaica has become the 13th CARICOM member state to accede to the African Export-Import Bank Establishment Agreement, further strengthening economic ties between Africa and the Caribbean.
The development was confirmed during the 50th CARICOM Heads of Government Meeting, where an Afreximbank delegation led by George Elombi and Kanayo Awani met with Jamaica’s Prime Minister Andrew Holness to advance cooperation.
Prime Minister Holness thanked the bank for its support following Jamaica’s recent hurricane, noting that Afreximbank financing helped restore critical infrastructure including water, electricity, sewage systems and roads, while also assisting reconstruction efforts aimed
at building stronger resilience to future disasters.
The meeting also focused on broader development opportunities tied to Jamaica’s membership in the agreement. Discussions included rebuilding and modernising infrastructure such as railways, hospitals and other public facilities, while strengthening regional transportation and trade networks to improve the movement of people and goods across the Caribbean.
Afreximbank has been expanding its presence in the Caribbean as part of its strategy to connect Africa with the region often referred to as “Global Africa.” The bank has already committed billions of dollars in financing and trade support to Caribbean economies in recent years, including funding for infrastructure, trade facilitation and private sector investment.
By joining the agreement, Jamaica gains expanded access to Afreximbank’s financial instruments, technical support and trade networks designed to promote commerce between Africa and CARICOM states.
Regional leaders say the growing partnership could unlock new opportunities in areas such as trade, logistics, tourism, manufacturing and cultural exchange, strengthening economic cooperation between the two regions with deep historical and diaspora ties.
Angle by Deandrea Hamilton. Built with ChatGPT (AI). Magnetic Media — CAPTURING LIFE.
-
Health1 week agoChile becomes the first country in the Americas to be verified by WHO for the elimination of leprosy
-
Caribbean News3 days agoJamaica Joins Afreximbank Agreement, Strengthening Africa–Caribbean Partnership
-
News1 week agoPolice Commissioner Honoured with Distinguished Civic Service Award at TCHTA Star Awards
-
Bahamas News1 week agoDredging Is Not Just About Size — It Is About What Is Being Destroyed, Warns Save Exuma Alliance Regarding Yntegra’s Proposed Rosewood Resort
-
News7 days agoFlow TCI powers Inter-High Track and Field Championships
-
Health1 week agoTCI Hospital Celebrates Successful “Heart Strong TCI” Initiative During Heart Month
-
Education6 days agoMessage from Hon. Rachel M. Taylor, Minister of Education, Youth, Sports & Culture
-
News2 days agoRights Without Justice: How Weak Enforcement Fails Women and Girls