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NEWS
May 30 - June 5, 2020
TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS
Justice has been delayed for Kevino ‘Bah’ Smith
Kevino and his mother Patty Smith in happier times
For years Kevino’s mother and Grand Turk residents have protested for justice to be done
Kevino ‘Bah’ Smith’s accused killers walk free BY DELANA ISLES CONRAD Thomas Junior and Lamar Griffith are now free men, as a result of murder charges being dropped by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions. The men were formally charged with the murder of Grand Turk native Kevino ‘Bah’ Smith in 2017 and are yet to stand trial. On Tuesday (May 26), Queen’s
Counsel Eugene Otuonye formally dropped the charges by way of a ‘nolle prosequi’. This means a formal notice of abandonment by a plaintiff or prosecutor of all or part of a suit or action. The DPP told the press that the discontinuation of the prosecution against the men at this time does not negate charges being brought in the future.
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Otuonye said this is a real possibility, adding: “It would not be in the public interest nor serve justice to continue prosecution at this time.” In 2018, the men were granted bail by the Judge Shiraz Aziz and ordered to leave Grand Turk for Providenciales for the duration of their trial. They were last scheduled for trial in September 2019, with the case set to be tried by Trinidadian attorney Evans Welch in a judge only trial.
In March 2015, 25-year-old Smith went missing after a reported heated confrontation with several people. In April, following an aggressive police search, dismembered remains were found in Breezy Brae, Grand Turk. The remains were later confirmed to be that of Smith. For several years Smith’s mother, Patty Smith had pleaded for justice, taking grievances to the public. Patty was always very critical of the handling of the investigation
Curfew breaches land 14 in court FOURTEEN people will face the stiff fines and possible imprisonment for breaches of the coronavirus curfew. Chief Magistrate Jolyon Hatmin is set to preside over these criminal matters in the coming days. Those accused are Gabelito Pyrrus, Evens Dubois, Chaveze Gray, Jean Valcin, Eriveau Valcin, Cecil Bailey, Falinx Francois, Gino Bernadin, Jean Marie Carius, Wisel Lume, Erod Chaute, Joselene Bellues-
Astwood, Jose Miguel Martinez and Akeem Lightbourne. Lightbourne is also charged with possession of a controlled drug. Vehicles of the accused have also been confiscated, and will be released pending payment of a $250 towing fee, $25 for each day, a storage fee, production of an updated driver’s licence, vehicle registration and insurance. Upon conviction, the accused are also subject to a fine of $1,000 or time in prison or both.
from the onset, regularly writing on social media that her boy had been forgotten. In 2017, Thomas Junior and Griffiths, a Jamaican national, were accused of Smith’s murder and dismembering his remains. Today, no one stands charged with Smith’s gruesome murder.
Shots fired into Grand Turk home LUCKILY no one was injured when shots were fired through the window of a Grand Turk home on Thursday evening (May 28). Officers were called to Orea Alley just before 10pm after residents reported gunfire, according to the police press office. No further information has been released on this incident. Anyone with information can call 911 or Crime Stoppers anonymously on 1-8008477.
