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Still locked up, Confessed School Burglar awaits Sentencing

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Wilkie Arthur

Freelance Court Correspondent

Appearing before Acting Resident Magistrate Ms. Patricia Arana, from the Grand Turk Magistrate Court via video link on Monday March 25th, 2024 was a second North Caicos defendant.

DEVANO HANDFIELD, 25 admitted that he burglarized more than one classroom of the Raymond Gardiner High School (RGHS) in Bottle Creek, North Caicos.  The charge read that on 13th/14th March 2024 he was armed with a knife and used that knife to gain entry in the school classrooms and stole a number of laptops and other items from the school.

The accused was in a very loud argumentative mood, and when first addressed by the learned acting Resident Magistrate, he shouted, ” Who’s the judge? Because I need to know who I’m talking to!” 

The accused added, “I see all kinds of people on the screen, I don’t know who’s the judge.”

At the time, there were indeed, at least six people appearing on screen, all at once during the video link ; they were awaiting their matters to be called. 

It was difficult to distinguish who was speaking.

Once the accused was satisfied about who was the Magistrate in his matter, it proceeded and her Hon Arana asked the Crown to read the facts of the case since the accused had pleaded guilty. 

She then asked the obviously agitated accused Devano Handfield, “Do you agree with the Crown’s fact? He replied, “I ain’t agreeing to nothing. I just want this case over with. He then changed his position, and sucking his teeth said, “Man, yes, I agree with everything she said.”

He told the Resident Magistrate that he is on drugs, naming crack cocaine and other drugs, “but yes I broke the school open.” 

The Hon. RM then attempted to adjourn the case but Handfield butted in, demanding that the matter be settled no.

“No, no, no I wa get this over with today” “I ain’t into my case getting put off over and over again and gotta come back and forward to court.”

The RM told him, “you don’t dictate the process. The matter is adjourned until 10th April for sentencing, and you’re remanded in custody.

TCI Court

Police Briefs

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Turks and Caicos, July 18, 2025 – Escapee Detained Overseas – Anthony Clarke, 32, a resident of Millennium Highway, Blue Hills, Providenciales, has been recaptured after escaping lawful custody last month.

Through coordinated efforts with regional and international law enforcement partners, Clarke, 32, was located and apprehended in the Dominican Republic on Tuesday, July 8, 2025. He was swiftly returned to the Turks and Caicos Islands.

On Wednesday, July 9, 2025, Clarke was formally charged with the offence of Escaping Lawful Custody. He appeared before a Magistrate and remains in custody.

Clarke escaped custody on June 23, 2025, while receiving medical attention at Cheshire Hall Medical Centre.

July 18, 2025

Guilty Verdict Delivered -The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force (RT&CIPF) can confirm that on Monday, July 14, 2025, the Supreme Court in Grand Turk concluded proceedings in the murder case of Necal Venice Pierre, who was tragically killed last year.

After the trial, the jury returned a unanimous guilty verdict against 18-year-old WISLAIRE LOUIS of North Back Salina, Grand Turk.

Mr. Louis has been remanded in custody pending a July 31st sentencing.

Ms. Pierre, 47, was found deceased at her Palm Grove residence on August 4, 2024.

The RT&CIPF is extremely pleased with the verdict, which delivers justice for the victim and their loved ones. This guilty verdict is a testament to the determination, professionalism, and unwavering commitment of the officers who led this investigation with absolute rigour from start to conclusion.

We wish to thank the witnesses who demonstrated tremendous courage. Their bravery has been pivotal in ensuring justice is served.

The RT&CIPF continues to appeal to the public to assist in the fight against crime.

We urge individuals with information on illegal activities to call the nearest Police Station, 911, Crime Stoppers at 1-800-8477, or the Serious Crime Unit at 231-1842 and report what you know.

Individuals can also download and use the Crime Stoppers P3 app to submit information anonymously.

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TCI Court

Hall and Greene Avoid Jail After Sentences Suspended by Appeal Court

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Deandrea Hamilton | Editor

 

Turks and Caicos, July 14, 2025 – Former Deputy Premier Floyd Basil Hall and former House Speaker Clayton Stanfield Greene will not serve jail time, following a ruling by the Turks and Caicos Islands Court of Appeal on Thursday, July 10.

The court, led by President Alice Yorke-Soo Hon, with Justices Bernard Turner and Michael Hylton, upheld their 2023 convictions—Hall for bribery, Greene for money laundering—but ruled that both men’s sentences would be suspended for two years. That means unless they breach any terms of the suspension, neither will spend time behind bars.

Hall was originally sentenced to one year in prison and Greene to six months, following a lengthy corruption trial that concluded in October 2023. At the time, Chief Justice Mabel Agyemang described their punishments as “drastically reduced” in light of mitigating factors, including Hall’s deteriorating health and the long delays in prosecution.

While the convictions remain on record, the appeals against sentencing were allowed. The court also confirmed that US $1.1 million plus interest is to be confiscated from Hall, and US $413,369 plus interest from Greene. However, the court ruled that Greene’s confiscation order should be reduced if the amount has already been recovered from Hall, noting he did not profit from the crime.

The outcome closes a chapter in the Special Investigation and Prosecution Team (SIPT) trials, which have spanned more than a decade and resulted in rare convictions of high-ranking officials. In sentencing last year, the Chief Justice had firmly rejected initial arguments for suspended sentences, stressing the seriousness of corruption in public office.

With this latest ruling, the saga for Hall and Greene ends without incarceration, marking a result that some may see as anticlimactic, given the scope and significance of the original trial.

Attention now turns to the case of Michael Misick and McAllister Hanchell, whose trial has concluded and awaits a verdict expected in October.

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News

Guilty Verdict Announced

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***MEDIA RELEASE***

 

Turks and Caicos, 13th June 2025 – The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force (RT&CIPF) confirms that a guilty verdict was delivered yesterday (12th June) in the firearm-related case involving SHAQUAZE FORBES of Over Back, Grand Turk.

Forbes, aged 22, was found guilty of:

  • One Count Possession of Firearm with Intent to Endanger Life
  • One Count Discharging a Firearm

His co-accused, JERREAL MISSICK, also aged 22 and from Over Back, was found not guilty following the judge’s directions to the jury.

Forbes has been remanded in custody at H.M. Prison, Home of the Department of Correction and Rehabilitation, and will be sentenced on 18th July, 2025.

On 13th February 2024, reports of a firearm discharge were made to the police. Following a thorough investigation and subsequent consultation with the Director of Public Prosecution’s Office, both individuals were formally charged.

The RT&CIPF is requesting the public to notify the nearest police station, contact 911, the Serious Crime Unit at 231-1842, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-8477, and provide any information anonymously regarding illegal activity.

Additionally, individuals are encouraged to download the Crime Stoppers P3 app from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store and share information anonymously.

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