News
Man Spared a Life Sentence in Serious Wounding Case
Wilkie Arthur
Freelance Court Reporter
#TurksandCaicos, December 15, 2023 – He was busted in the head and sliced from back to front of his neck; the images of the injuries are blood curdling.
It was supposed to be a short and straightforward wounding with intent trial, instead it ended up running a near three weeks due to complications and objections in the matter.
The accused is Mr. TERINE HARVEY AKA TC and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) brought him before the court on allegations that he on Thursday June 16th, 2022 in Pine or Sam Wilson Yard did maliciously and unlawfully wound Valman “Val” Forbes.
The trial started on Monday October 30th and ended on Friday November 17th 2023.
Representing the defendant, TC, was Senior Human Rights Defense Attorney, Sheena Mair. For the Office of the DPP was Senior Public Prosecutor, Nayasha Hatmin.
On October 30th there were issues in the jury process due to insufficient numbers to commence impaneling, and her Ladyship Ms. Tanya Lobban Jackson adjourned to the following day for more potential jurors to attend court.
The jury numbers slowly became sufficient throughout the day on October 31, but the case still could not proceed because the prosecutor with conduct of the matter Mrs. Hatmin was ill and Principal Public Prosecutor Clement Joseph was holding for her.
Mr. Joseph, Ms. Mair and Justice Lobban Jackson discussed and agreed to move forward with the jury selection and five women and two men were picked with the trial set to start the following day, November 1.
When the virtual complainant, Valman “Val” Forbes took the stand, he began his testimony by swearing on the Bible to tell the truth and nothing, but the truth.
Forbes said on the night of June 16th, 2022, TC cut him with something sharp that he didn’t see. He said he only saw TC’s hand moved swiftly when he tried to turn around and held his neck after feeling the swipe. Val told the jury he heard a bottle bust, and shortly after, he was cut by TC. He didn’t see him bust the bottle.
Val gave testimony of how he had to do two or three different statements because his first statement got lost by police officers. His supporting witness refused to cooperate with the police to give another statement, having learned that the first statement given went missing.
Val Forbes told the court that he and TC had a problem before, and the day of the incident was a continuation. He said they were in Sam’s/Pine’s Yard in Kew Town, playing Dominos, gambling and drinking. He admitted, and yes, “smoking weed too.”
He said he and TC argued on more than one occasion and what he think really got him when he told him, “Boy girls/women looking for money these days,” suggesting that TC has none.
Forbes said TC kicked him on his leg and he (Forbes) punched him; they got into a fight.
“I had to show him, he ain’t ready for me.”
Throughout Forbes’ testimony, in an upset and uncomfortable manner, he kept belittling and stating derogatory comments and statements about his alleged attacker as he sat in the defendant’s dock.
The complainant said “he thinks because I have one arm, he could have handled me, but he had to go get something and cut me.”
There were even seemingly irrelevant statements made including about a relationship, Forbes claims to have had with a police woman and how he “can’t stand her anymore.”
Val Forbes spent three days testifying in the witness stand and the cross examination could easily summed up as an unpleasant experience.
Having realized the VC, Val Forbes was not cooperating or unwilling to cooperate with her under cross-examination; Sheena Mair asked him if he smokes cocaine? He replied, “Yes, we do that sometimes.”
She asked him if he’s high on ‘coke’ now while testifying, however Forbes denied being high at the time. Still he showed signs of being agitated and irritable in the lengthy intense cross-examination by the defense.
What also appeared rather shocking and surprising was that the doctor testified and made no mention of the head injury. Dr. Gregory Lawdell only spoke of the size, the depth, the seriousness, and in his professional opinion what he believes caused such a wound to Val’s neck.
Attorney Mair asked the doctor about Val’s behavior and mannerism toward the hospital staff that night when he came in for treatment and the doctor said he was very, very upset and angry but he doesn’t think it was towards the staff but because of what happened to him.
Forbes’ sister, Hynetta Karen Forbes testified regarding photos she took of her brother’s two injuries (head and neck)
that night of the incident, as the Police nor the doctor took any photos and had none to give Mrs. Hatmin the prosecutor.
After the Crown closed their case, Sheena Mair made an application of “no case” submission to the judge Tanya Lobban-Jackson, but it was rejected.
The defense then called its only witness Jason Moore who said he refused to give the police another statement because he told them he “lied.”
Moore said he needed the money, and Val Forbes had “paid” him to lie. He told the judge and jury he went back and told the authorities what he did.
Her Ladyship Ms. Tanya Lobban Jackson, at the close of the defense and prosecution speech or closing remarks, summed up the case to the jury by outlining the evidence and the law clearly to them.
They jury was then released for deliberation and came back with a verdict of not guilty against TERINE HARVEY.
Magnetic Media was present for days throughout this trial and captured the Val Forbes on video while the jury was out deliberating.
He appeared so happy and confident in hope of a guilty verdict.
We also captured the defendant outside the court while he awaited his verdict and after the verdict of “not guilty” was delivered.
Clearly pleased with the outcome, Harvey said about his attorney, “She’s the bomb, she’s the bomb.”
Nassau, Bahamas, January 15, 2025 – CIBC Caribbean has warned about an ongoing ‘smishing scam’ targeting clients in The Bahamas and Turks and Caicos Islands.
It noted that fraudsters have been sending text messages to persons stating that their accounts were placed on hold or that their cards were locked and requesting them to click on a link and to enter their banking credentials in order to regain access to their accounts.
The bank has reiterated that it does not send out texts or SMS messages with links for clients to click on.
Clients who receive any communication with links should check that they are from a bona fide source prior to attempting to click on them.
The latest fraud attempt is a smishing scam and we are taking the necessary steps to report the fraudulent sites, the bank said.
Smishing occurs when fraudsters attempt to steal customers’ data or money through a text message that tries to trick them into following a link and revealing personal details or login information.
If you believe that you have encountered a suspicious message, just follow these simple tips.
Firstly, don’t click on any links or attachments and don’t reply to the message. Try and establish the legitimacy of the message by getting in contact with the organisation through alternative means, for example, calling the phone number on your printed statements.
If the sender claims to represent CIBC Caribbean, then forward the email as an attachment to our dedicated fraud team (fraud@cibcfcib.com) and delete the message from your system.
It is also a good idea to regularly review all your financial accounts and if you spot any irregularities, contact the bank immediately. Additionally, email security should be reviewed and consider changing your password to a stronger one, using a combination of characters, letters and numbers. Never share your internet banking log-in credentials or One-Time Verification Codes (OTVC) with anyone!
January 13th, 2025 – Nassau, Bahamas – The Bahamas National Trust (BNT) is excited to announce the appointment of new officers and members of the BNT Council 2024 -2025, elected at the organization’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) in October and later confirmed during a special meeting after the AGM.
Mrs. Joanne Smith has been elected as President of the Council. As President and Creative Director of Media Enterprises, she brings a wealth of experience to the role. A former President of the Rotary Club of East Nassau and a Lifetime Member of the BNT, Smith is a passionate advocate for environmental preservation. Her long-standing involvement in producing educational materials for the BNT and her expertise in public relations will be invaluable as the nonprofit strives to promote the national park system and expand its membership base.
Returning to the Council as Deputy President is Ms. Janet Johnson, a former BNT President. With more than 40 years of leadership experience in the tourism industry, both internationally and nationally, Johnson’s marketing expertise will be critical as the BNT implements its 2024-2029 Strategic Plan, targeting expanded infrastructure and visitation for 12 national parks.
Mr. Phillip Cumming has been appointed Honorary Treasurer. A chartered accountant and past President of the Rotary Club of East Nassau, Cumming is also an avid birder and nature photographer.
Elected members of the BNT Council include: Geoff Andrews (immediate past President); Marvin Arrington; Glenn Bannister; Kevin Cartwright; Hank Ferguson; Janet Johnson; Marcus Laing; Neil McKinney; Devin Peet; Naisha Roberts; Karin Sanchez; Gary Sands; Tanya Woodside; and Eddie Carter.
Appointed members are: Dr. Maria Woodside-Oriakhi, University of The Bahamas; Dr. Ana Luz Porzecanski, American Museum of Natural History; Dr. Karen Bjorndal, University of Florida; Christopher Hughes, US Parks Service; Meredith Ross, Leon Levy Foundation; Dr. Pamela Reid, University of Miami RSMAS; Dr. Barney Long, re:wild; and Aurelio Ramos, National Audubon Society.
Representing The Bahamas Government are: Christina Davis-Justin and Holly Peel, Governor General’s Representatives; Ashley Sturrup, Ministry of Education; Dr. Kenneth Romer, Ministry of Tourism; Dr. Rhianna Neeley-Murphy, Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources; and Gregory Bethel, Ministry of Agriculture and Marine Resources.
“We are thrilled to welcome such a talented and diverse group of leaders to our Executive Board,” said Lakeshia Anderson-Rolle, BNT’s
Executive Director. “Their combined experience and dedication to The Bahamas’ national park system will be essential as we work to accomplish the goals outlined in our new five-year strategic plan.”
“It is indeed an honor to serve as the President of the BNT,” said Joanne Smith. “They have grown The Bahamas’ national park system to 33 national parks that protect marine resources, endangered species, and the habitats necessary for the survival of our island flora and fauna. I am looking forward to working with the BNT team and the Council to ensure we meet our strategic goals.
“One of my goals is to increase the membership of the organization and support sustainable finance mechanisms for the parks. I am especially grateful to past President Geoff Andrews, who has agreed to lead the Advancement Committee in successfully achieving our financial goals over the next five years. We hold our first full Council meeting at the end of January and look forward to working with the Council on initiatives that guide the BNT into its next chapter.”
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.
Turks and Caicos, January 13, 2025 – The Marine Branch of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force successfully intercepted two illegal sloops within the last 24 hours. In the first incident, at around 2:25 a.m. yesterday (January 12), the Maritime Operations Center tracked a suspicious target in the Bird Rock, Long Bay area.
Officers of the Marine Branch were informed, and at 2:35 a.m., they spotted a dark blue wooden vessel with two outboard engines carrying several individuals.
The illegal sloop was intercepted, and officers discovered TWENTY-SEVEN (27) illegal migrants- TWENTY-ONE (21) males, including two
minors and SIX (6) females. All individuals were handed over to the TCI Border Force for processing.
Shortly after 1 a.m. today, the Marine Branch, alongside the TCI Regiment, received information that a blue 38-foot wooden Haitian vessel with two outboard engines was in TCI waters.
The vessel was located and intercepted.
Onboard the vessel was ONE HUNDRED and TWENTY-ONE (121) persons – ONE HUNDRED and FOUR (104) males –including a minor and SEVENTEEN (17) females.
Assistant Commissioner (ag) Mat Newton said, “I am grateful to our partners—TCI Border Force and TCI Regiment—for their assistance and support in successfully processing the illegal migrants intercepted by the police. This shows that the layers of security in place are increasingly effective, and we continue to build our defensive measures to tackle this type of crime.”
The RTCIPF asks the public to notify the closest police station, contact 911, the Serious Crime Unit at 231-1842, Crime Stoppers at 1-800-8477, and anonymously give any information on illegal activity.
Additionally, persons are encouraged to download the CrimeStoppers P3 app and share information anonymously.
Photo Credit: RTCIP
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