Wilkie Arthur
Freelance Court Correspodent
#TurksandCaicos, May 31, 2024 – In a surprising turn of events, Doc Lendi, aged 33, was set free on Wednesday, May 22nd, after the prosecution was unable to proceed with his trial, which was scheduled to run the entire week from Monday, May 20th, to Friday, May 24th, 2024.
The decision was made by His Lordship, The Honorable Mr. Justice Davidson Kevin Baptiste, in the Grand Turk Supreme Court, following objections from senior defense attorney Mr. Ashwood Forbes regarding repeated adjournments in the nearly three-year-old case.
Mr. Forbes expressed serious concerns over the prosecution’s continuous application for adjournments, emphasizing the age of the case and the lack of progress. The defense attorney highlighted that the prosecution had previously given an undertaking to “take a
certain cause of action,” which typically indicates an intention to withdraw or drop the case.
Mrs. Nayasha Hatmin, senior public prosecutor, attempted to seek another adjournment and continuation of Lendi’s remand, but Mr. Forbes vehemently opposed this course of action.
Justice Baptiste sided with the defense, emphasizing that the interests of justice could not be properly served by holding the accused in prison beyond the three-year mark without a trial. Consequently, the prosecution entered a Nolle Prosequi, effectively dismissing the case against Doc Lendi.
Doc Lendi, an undocumented Haitian national who previously resided in Five Cays, was formally charged with robbery in connection with the theft of over $30,000.00 worth of jewelry from the Cash Wiz Pawnshop in Grace Bay on Saturday, June 19th, 2021. Additionally, he faced charges of possession of an imitation firearm with intent to commit a serious offense related to the same robbery.
Prior to his lengthy remand, Lendi had faced legal troubles in the Turks and Caicos Islands, including a conviction for remaining in the islands beyond the permitted time. As a result, he was fined $800.00 USD or faced four months in prison.
Following the dismissal of the case, Doc Lendi was handed over to immigration authorities for deportation or repatriation to his home country of Haiti.
The outcome of this case has raised questions about the efficacy of the legal system and the handling of criminal proceedings, particularly in cases involving prolonged delays and repeated adjournments. As Doc Lendi walks free, the search for justice continues, leaving many in the community bewildered and seeking answers.