Crime

Plea & Directions exposes Attorney Not Ready, Accused changes Plea and alleged fake gunman remanded to Prison

Published

10 months ago

May 12, 2024

Shanieka

Wilkie Arthur

Freelance Court Correspondent

At the Plea and Direction Hearing (PDH) on Thursday 25th April, 2024, a number of matters from the list were adjourned to the next PDH on 31st May, 2024 and some to other dates for various reasons.

The first case called was that of GINO GERBEX. He is represented by Mrs Kimone Tennant. He pleaded not guilty to two charges of conspiracy to supply a firearm and ammunition along with JUMILLO ISMA and others unknown. The charges were read to him via video link from the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (DCR).

It reads that GINO GERBEX acting together with JUMILLO ISMA and others conspired to supply a gun and ammunition on dates between 27th December 2022 to 25th June 2023. His remand was extended to his trial date to commence on 04th October 2024 for two weeks in the Grand Turk Supreme Court.

Up next was the case of MELIUS PIERRE.

No charges were read to him as his attorney, Mr.Astwood Forbes, was not yet ready to proceed due to the fact he was not able to speak to his client as yet to take instruction. He is in prison on remand.

Presiding justice in all the criminal matters for Thursdays April 25 was Mr Justice Chris Selochan and Ms. Roseanne Richardson was for the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, who was present in court throughout.

The court was not pleased that the accused had been coming to court repeatedly, and due to his attorney not seeing or speaking to him, the matter had to be adjourned to a later date once again.

Deputy DPP Dr. Angela Brooks said she’s ready to proceed as she already attended court some five or more times in this matter and the matter has not progressed.

The judge set a next PDH date for May 3, 2024.

The accused has very serious immigration charges, such as returning to the Islands contrary to deportation order, aggravated assisting illegal entry and illegal entry.

Following was KADEN LIGHTBOURE, who pleaded not guilty for possession of imitation firearm with intent to cause fear.

It is alleged that on 15th January this year, he used an imitation firearm to cause fear to other persons. This alleged incident was in North Backsalina, Grand Turk.

Lightbourne is remanded until his trial commences on 20th June this year.

His lawyer, the Hon. Mr. Willin Belliard indicated to the judge and prosecutor that he has filed a bail application for his client that is expected to be heard next week.

Meanwhile, his remand continues.

JOHN SPENCER MISSICK has two lawyers, Mrs. Kimone Tennant represents him on an aggravated burglary involving a firearm (home invasion style) along with others as he acting together on 31st July, 2023 they did invade the occupants and stole a number of items such as:

Louis Vuitton bag value at $2000.00.
Gucci sunglasses value at $795.00.
Burberry sunglasses value at $395.00.
$700.00 in cash.
A mini laptop value at $800.00.
Laptop case value at $20.00.
A Michael Kors wallet/bag value at $188.00.
$300.00 in cash

Among other valuable items as well as identification cards, drivers licenses,etc, to a total value of nearly $6500.00.

SPENCER pleaded guilty with an explanation but was stopped immediately by Judge Selochan and his attorney because there’s really no such thing as ‘guilty with an explanation.’

Even though this is sometimes used at arraignment it is either you plead guilty or not guilty. T

he judge then questioned his attorney, Mrs Kimone Tennant, and she told the judge that was not in line with her instructions when she and Missick met and discussed this case. She invited the judge to allow her some more time to speak with Missick before this arraignment continues.

The judge then granted the attorney’s request and advised that no other charges be put to him at this time.

The case was then adjourned to the next plea and directions hearing on May 31st 2024.

Missick’s second case was called, and his other lawyer, Ms. Sheena Mair asked for more time to speak with him as well, and it was granted.

Both matters put to the same date, and his remand was extended to that date as well.

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TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS: NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL POST MEETING STATEMENT

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Adjournments at PDH; Cases not ready and Legal Representation not found

Shanieka

Crime

Wanted “Woody” Charged

Published

4 days ago

March 15, 2025

Deandrea Hamilton

***MEDIA RELEASE***

Turks and Caicos, March 12, 2025 – On March 4, 2025, the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force (RT&CIPF) issued a Wanted Bulletin for HAYWOOD MCINTOSH following a report of malicious damage to property and assault.

Five days later, (9th March), officers conducting patrols in the Grace Bay area identified and apprehended McIntosh.

McIntosh, also known as “Woody“, was searched, during which officers allegedly discovered a pistol and an extended magazine containing ammunition in his possession.

McIntosh was arrested and subsequently charged on Tuesday, 11 March 2025.

McIntosh, 38, of The Bight, faces the following offences:

Possession of a firearm
Possession of ammunition

The accused is expected to appear in court on the next available date and remains in custody.

The RT&CIPF remains committed to ensuring public safety and urges anyone with information regarding illegal firearms to report it anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-8477 (TIPS) or contact the nearest police station.

Crime

Homicide Updates

Published

5 days ago

March 15, 2025

Deandrea Hamilton

***MEDIA RELEASE***

Turks and Caicos, 11^th March 2025 – The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force confirms that a 29-year-old male remains in custody as a person of interest in the fatal shooting of an unidentified male in Dock Yard yesterday (10 March).

The deceased, believed to be of Haitian nationality, is described as a slim-built male in his mid20s with a short afro and goatee. He was found wearing only white boxers in a bushy area behind Dock Yard. Police are seeking the public’s assistance to identify him.

Investigations have thus far revealed that shortly after 8:30 am, several calls were placed to the Police Control Room stating a body was at a location in Dock Yard.

Officers arrived at the scene and were led to a ditch, where they confirmed the report.

In a separate case, detectives recovered a black vehicle suspected to have been used in the March 7th murder of Ricardo Pierre. A 21-year-old Dock Yard male has been arrested on suspicion of Mr. Pierre’s death.

Both homicide investigations are ongoing.

Anyone with information is urged to contact the police at 911, the Serious Crime Unit at 2311842, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-8477.

Anonymous tips can also be submitted via the Crime Stoppers P3 app.

Crime

Haitian Man Chopped, Then Shot to Death in Dock Yard

Published

5 days ago

March 15, 2025

Deandrea Hamilton

Wilkie Arthur

Eagle Legal News Media

Turks and Caicos, March 15, 2025 – On Monday, March 10, 2025, a day observed as Commonwealth Day in the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI), the nation recorded what may be its ninth homicide for the year.

Authorities have yet to confirm the classification of a badly decomposed body found in the Snake Hill bushes of Providenciales on February 15, 2025. If deemed a homicide, the TCI murder count for the year could rise to nine.

Our investigative team visited Dock Yard to gather details about Monday’s killing and the victim.

Who Was the Victim?

Eyewitnesses and community members identified the deceased as a Haitian male, believed to be around 28 or 29 years old. They noted he had no official documentation but had been living in the Turks and Caicos Islands for over a year. Described as a quiet and hardworking individual, he reportedly made a modest living and sent money home to his family in Haiti.

What Happened?

According to sources, alcohol-fueled disputes were a recurring issue for the victim and his cousins on weekends. This past weekend, a heated argument escalated into violence.

Witnesses say one of his cousins, also intoxicated, attacked him with a cutlass. However, the cutlass wound was not fatal. The fight continued until another group intervened and shot the victim multiple times. Bloodstains on rocks, grass, and bushes suggest he attempted to flee before succumbing to his injuries.

At sunrise, his lifeless body was discovered in a ditch. He was found wearing only underwear. It remains unclear whether he was shot again in the ditch or if he sought refuge there and bled to death. The amount of blood in the hole suggests he sustained significant injuries before his death.

Police Investigation and Arrests

A cousin of the deceased, currently in police custody, reportedly admitted to the cutlass attack but claimed others were responsible for the shooting. Police detained him yesterday following their investigation in Dock Yard.

Official Police Statement

The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force issued the following update on March 11, 2025:

Homicide Update

A 29-year-old male remains in custody as a person of interest in the fatal shooting of an unidentified male in Dock Yard on March 10.

The deceased, believed to be of Haitian nationality, is described as a slim-built male in his mid-20s with a short afro and goatee. He was found wearing only white boxers in a bushy area behind Dock Yard.

Police are seeking the public’s assistance in identifying him.

Investigations have revealed that shortly after 8:30 AM, multiple calls were made to the Police Control Room reporting a body at a location in Dock Yard. Officers arrived at the scene and confirmed the discovery of the body in a ditch.

Ongoing Investigation

The investigation remains active, and authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward.