News
Fanny Pack, Hurricane Damage and a possible Set Up lead to Not Guilty in Gun Trial
By Wilkie Arthur
Freelance Court Reporter
#TurksandCaicos, July 27, 2023 – A hurricane damaged set of doors, a lack of DNA evidence and a concealing fanny pack seemed to convince a jury of seven that a young man held for gun and ammunition may have been set up for the crime; his defence attorney poking holes in the case of the Police and Prosecutor to secure a not guilty verdict.
A serious firearms trial was scheduled for a July 10, 2023 start at the Grand Turk Supreme Court and it did, lasting
some seven days, the jury returned a not guilty verdict for the man accused of illegal possession.
A jury comprising three men and four women reached a unanimous verdict for the now 20-years-old, JAVAUGHN EDWARD FORBES, who claimed he was set up and did not own the gun or ammunition in question.
Representing the Crown was Principal Public Prosecutor, Clement Joseph, along with public prosecutor Tassja Mitchell. Senior defense attorney, Noel Skippings represented the now acquitted defendant.
The allegations date back to October 1, 2021; the accused was freed on bail pending the trial.
During the trial, the jury heard that on the date in question the police armed with a search warrant came and executed a search for firearm at the home of JAVAUGHN FORBES on prison road, Grand Turk. He was living with his adopted mother and her young daughter.
They specifically told them they came to search for a firearm. They began their search and on the floor they allegedly found a box with a firearm and with four rounds of ammunition inside the box. The accused was in handcuffs. He told the officers he did not know anything about it. One officer said the box was in plain sight, but on the cross examination by defense counsel Skippings, it was established through Sergeant Shervin Adams that ‘the box’ could have been either hidden by clothes or partly hidden by clothes.
They then took the accused and he was charged with keeping a firearm and keeping ammunition, contrary to Section 3 Subsection (1) of the Firearms Ordinance at the time, as then it carried a mandatory minimum of seven years imprisonment.
It came out in the trial that the door to house was not able to be locked and that Forbes’ room had no door. It was explained that the recent and last hurricane had damaged the doors, so he had no door, just an opening.
The police confirmed that there was no door to Forbes’ room, but could not confirm if the outside door to the house could not be locked.
The police evidence in the trial was that they were acting on information received. Someone tipped them off and told them a firearm was in the house.
The defense’s case was that Forbes could have been set up. It was explained to the jury that the police informant told them exactly where to go because and the sergeant testified that indeed they went directly to the room of the young man.
Other officers had testified that they searched all of the rooms, but the sergeant’s testimony was ‘they only search his room,’
Defence Counsel Contentions were:
- The outside door wasn’t locked, so anybody could have entered the house.
- Young Forbes left out early in the morning to take his horses for the tourists when ships arrived.
- His mother worked and left the house from around 8:15am about 5:00pm is when she returned from work. So anybody could have entered the house.
- His room had no door, anybody could have entered his room as he would be out all day sometimes. His mother would be out just about all day too. Anybody could have entered the house.
The defense argued that, his client had no knowledge that a gun was in the home. It was said the weapon was in a fanny pack, the fanny pack was there and the gun and ammo were inside of it, according to the police evidence in the trial.
Police had hoped a sentimental link to the murdered cousin of the accused would be compelling enough evidence, however, it was made out to be frivolous by the defence counsel.
At the trial, it was explained that on the fanny pack was a button of the accused’s late cousin, Lloydel “LJ” Swann, who died August 10th, 2019 from gunshot wounds. The police tried to use that to say well, because the button is on the fanny pack, he had to know what’s in the fanny pack.
However, counsel for the defendant said ‘no, anybody could have put that button on there.’
His mother in the house or the daughter or somebody from the outside could have put that button on the fanny pack in order to incriminate his client; for Skippings, this fact was not strong enough to put a young man away for seven years on a gun charge.
Police, during the trial also testified that DNA evidence was collected in the case, but when the attorney sought the results of the test, there was none said Police, as the forensic information was not sent out – since October 2021 – for analysis.
The jury spent a couple of hours in deliberation of the evidence presented; all seven returned and agreed that JAVAUGHN EDWARD FORBES was not guilty.
NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers of Coca-Cola and Dasani products, is proud to once again support Basketball Smiles for their 27th year.
Upholding its corporate pillar of community outreach, CBC proudly donated $2,000, over 75 cases of Dasani, Powerade and Sprite, reusable
Powerade water bottles and numerous marketing materials.
The annual sporting summer camp offers free basketball and life skills training to Junior and High School students.
Basketball Smiles’ mission of developing leadership qualities while fostering children’s academic achievement and self-esteem aligns perfectly with CBC’s commitment to supporting and empowering youth.
Jazmin Darling, Assistant Marketing Manager for Caribbean Bottling Company shared why the company continues to support this program each year.
“At CBC, we believe investing in our youth is one of the greatest ways to strengthen our communities. We’re proud to support Basketball Smiles each year because it goes beyond the game. This program champions healthy lifestyles, positive values and brighter futures. It’s a privilege to play a role in helping these young athletes reach their full potential each year,” she shared.
Sam Nicholls, Basketball Smiles Camp President and Founder expressed.
“Caribbean Bottling Company is an incredible partner. We are truly grateful for their generous support, which will go a long way in making a positive impact on the lives of our campers,” Nicholls expressed.
CBC is always ready to lend its support toward initiatives and programs that uplift young Bahamians. The impact Basketball Smiles makes on the community is undeniable and is why CBC remains a historic sponsor.
For more information on sponsorship, events and new products, visit www.cbcbahamas.com today.
NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Wines and Spirits (CWS), The Bahamas’ premier wine and spirits distributor is thrilled to once again lend its support to Transforming Spaces (TS).
CWS is a proud historical partner of the annual art week which highlights Bahamian art and art spaces. Under this year’s theme, “Chasing
Light” Transforming Spaces and Caribbean Wines & Spirits created a memorable art experience.
To mark 21 years of the upliftment and exposure of culture and Bahamian art, CWS offered award winning wines St. Francis, Rebellious, Bottega and Excellsior; premium spirits, Cross Keys Gin, El Tequileno Tequila, Angostura Rum and Nemiroff Vodka, along with the newly added Coors Light Beer from its portfolio.
To kickstart the annual art week, CWS delighted attendees with a tasting of globally renowned Bottega Wines at TS’ Poetry Jam, held at ICE Bahamas. Throughout the event, Bottega brand representatives shared tasting notes, ideal pairings, and insights into the brand’s portfolio.
During the highly anticipated Saturday and Sunday tours, CWS showcased its premium products at select art galleries.
Attendees enjoyed Rebellious and St. Francis wines at The Current: Baha Mar Art Gallery and Museum, Bottega and Excellsior wines at the National Art Gallery of The Bahamas, Coors Light beer at the University of The Bahamas Pro Gallery and hand-crafted Schweppes mixes featuring Cross Keys Gin, El Tequileno Tequila, Angostura Rum and Nemiroff Vodka at CAB Gallery & Studio.
Throughout the two-day tour, CWS product specialists enriched the experience by providing a deeper appreciation for their exceptional beverage portfolio.
Members of the Transforming Spaces Committee expressed their appreciation towards CWS’ support after another successful art week.
“Transforming Spaces is deeply grateful for the continued support of Caribbean Wines & Spirits over the years. Their partnership has become such an important part of the TS experience, helping us create welcoming and vibrant moments for our audiences across the tour weekend. From signature wines and cocktail bars to refreshments at gallery stops and pop-up events, their contribution brings an added sense of hospitality, celebration, and connection to the journey through Bahamian contemporary art.” — TS2026 Committee.
Caribbean Wines & Spirits is proud to partner with Transforming Spaces in supporting and elevating the voices and works of Bahamian artists and looks forward to strengthening this partnership for years to come.
To learn more about CWS’ involvement in the community, follow on social media @caribbeanwinesandspirits or visit the website at www.cwsbahamas.com today.
By Magnetic Media Newsroom
PROVIDENCIALES, Turks and Caicos Islands — The Turks and Caicos Islands Government says the breakdown of its relationship
with InterHealth Canada presents an opportunity to reshape healthcare delivery, with plans to expand local medical services, strengthen primary care and reduce dependence on overseas treatment.
During a national briefing following InterHealth Canada’s notice terminating its hospital contract, Premier Charles Washington Misick acknowledged publicly for the first time that Government and InterHealth had been negotiating an exit from the arrangement for more than a year after what he described as an “irretrievably broken down” relationship.
Despite the contractual dispute, Misick and Health Minister Kyle Knowles stressed that healthcare services will continue uninterrupted during the transition.
“Allow us to do our job,” Knowles appealed, assuring residents that Government is actively managing the transition and safeguarding patient care.
The Premier outlined what amounts to a broader healthcare transformation built around four connected levels of care: strengthened community-based primary healthcare; expanded polyclinic services; enhanced hospital-based secondary care with greater specialist capacity; and overseas tertiary treatment only for cases that cannot be managed locally.
Among the proposals are the long-discussed establishment of intensive care units, expanded use of currently unfinished hospital space,
recruitment of more resident specialist physicians and stronger contract management to oversee future healthcare agreements.
Knowles said the new polyclinic model will broaden services available outside the hospitals, including dentistry, ophthalmology, laboratory services, diagnostic imaging, gynaecology and preventative screening, helping to reduce pressure on emergency departments while improving early intervention.
Misick also acknowledged that while the hospital system significantly improved healthcare access after opening in 2010, Government believes further reform is necessary to improve affordability, sustainability and the range of services available within the Turks and Caicos Islands.
The briefing marked the Government’s most comprehensive explanation to date of its plans beyond the InterHealth contract, signalling that officials now see the transition as an opportunity to redesign healthcare delivery rather than simply replace one operator with another.
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