Four Serious Matters appear for Sufficiency Hearings before the Chief Justice

Wilkie Arthur

Freelance Court Correspondent

#TurksandCaicos, March 21, 2024 – Before the Chief Justice (CJ) Her Ladyship The Hon Mrs, Mable Agyemang via video link to her Chambers, from the Grand Turk, Magistrate’s Court and to prosecuting and defense counsels various different offices, four sufficiency hearing matters were called.

#1. 18 year-old Grand Turk native KADEN LIGHTBOURNE was committed to stand trial on firearm related allegations. The offense dates to a Grand Turk shooting incident on January 15th 2024.

He was sent to plea and directions hearing for later this month. His attorney, The Hon. Willin Belliard argued for the case to be dropped, but the CJ rejected his application and committed the young man accused to trial.

#2. 21-year-old Bible Street alleged robber committed to trial on an attempted robbery, firearm and ammunition allegations. JOSIAH PARFAIT, through his attorney Ms. Sheena Mair did not challenge the sufficiency, and the CJ sent him to trial.

His offense was allegedly committed on November 25^th, 2023.

#3. A 65-year-old man who was unrepresented in a sexual assault of a child case was committed to trial as well. He has a legal aid application pending and should be represented for his plea and directions hearing (PDH) at the end of this (March) month. MAURICEAU ALEIS is remanded in custody without bail.

His allegation is from January 3rd this year.

#4. REGINALD TALBOT JR, represented by Ms. Sheena Mair on alleged gang membership and other gang related serious offenses.

His matter was adjourned to a sufficiency hearing next month (April) 2024. It was alleged that between August 2-3 2023 these offenses were committed.