Brian Francis readying for Trial in the Murder of Justin Cox-Beckles

Wilkie Arthur

Freelance Court Reporter

#TurksandCaicos, December 15, 2023 – A promising and ambitious 22-year-old employee of the electricity company, FortisTCI – JUSTIN COX-BECKLES – was on Sunday July 24, 2022, shot and killed and now that case is in court as those who loved the young man hope for justice.

According to police, this shooting took place in public, amidst a crowd of people a popular lounge at Rock Plaza, near the Blue Hills Roundabout in Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands.

The young man, whose father is a high ranking member of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force, was a native of South Caicos.  The family had to endure this shocking loss just months after young Justin’s mother had passed, buried within the same year he was killed while hanging out at the lounge.

The matter made the court list for a mention hearing on Thursday, 14th December, 2023. The accused has hired Oliver Smith, KC as his representative in the murder proceedings.

Police investigations, from eye witnesses and CCTV led them to the arrest of several suspects.  Eventually, one man was charged; BRIAN FRANCIS, 28-years-old who is also facing other related firearm offences.

FRANCIS has been on remand at the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (DCR) since his arrest shortly after the murder.

At the time of the incident last year, the former police commissioner released a statement that reads: “Justin’s murder was a senseless act of violence that has taken a young life and ripped apart the lives of family, friends, and a community.”

He went on to say, “it’s clear that people are struggling to comprehend the taking of a life in such a terrible and cowardly act, and we should all be shocked and saddened by this murder.”

Commissioner Trevor Botting, condemned the carrying of unlicensed weapons and aimed to appeal to the “Christian” nature of the residents for help in the matter which was said to have been witnessed by many individuals.

“If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor,” he said, adding, “… it is the time to speak out, condemn and work together to rid the scourge of gun crime, violence and murder from the TCI. Staying silent when you can help stop the violence is taking the side of the oppressor, of the very people who are killing our young people. If you know something, say something, do not stay silent, do not stay neutral and do not choose the side of those despicable criminals carrying out these acts.”

Cox-Beckles was described as an “innocent” man with accolades streaming in at news of his death.  Now, 17-months later, the lone man arrested for the crime – Brian Francis – is readying for trial.