INGRAHAM: JUSTICE SYSTEM FLAWED
Former PM hits out over inefficiencies, excessive delays and poor case management
By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Chief Reporter
lrolle@tribunemedia.net
FORMER Prime Min-
ister Hubert Ingraham has slammed the country’s judicial system as plagued by inefficiency, excessive delays, and poor case management, accusing some judges of starting court late, taking years to deliver
rulings, and retiring without issuing written judgments — while also criticising some lawyers for showing up unprepared, overcommitting, and contributing to the backlog. His striking assessment came as he applauded Justice Dale Fitzpatrick, a recently appointed Canadian judge who said prolonged delays in
GIBSON AIMS FOR MICAL SEATAS MCINTOSH SET TO BOW OUT
By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Chief Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net
MICAL MP Basil McIntosh has revealed that he will not seek re-election, paving the way for what could be a hotly contested Progressive Liberal Party nomination in the constituency. Former Golden Gates
MP and Cabinet Minister Shane Gibson has plans to vie for the seat. He told The Tribune yesterday that residents are encouraging him to run.
“Yes the residents have been calling for me but it’s up to the leader. I’m always available to serve,” he said.
criminal proceedings could “crush this system”.
“The judge is correct!” Mr Ingraham said in a letter to the editor yesterday.
“Justice Fitzpatrick has only been here in The Bahamas for three months. He has already recognised the grave problems that we are facing. His frank
MAN CHARGED AFTER DEATH OF SAMMY THOMPSON
By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net
A MAN was charged yesterday in connection with an Eleuthera bar fight that preceded the death of 29-year-old Samuel “Sammy” Thompson, whose case sparked public outrage and calls for justice.
By LYNAIRE MUNNINGS Tribune Staff Reporter lmunnings@tribunemedia.net
Waylonte Bartlett, 30, was arraigned before Senior Magistrate Algernon Allen Jr on a charge of causing dangerous harm. He pleaded not guilty. Bartlett was granted $9,500 bail with one or two sureties. He is expected to return to court on April 16. Thompson died in hospital on March 26. His death came more than two weeks after the incident, which prompted a flood of tributes online and the widespread use of the hashtag #JusticeForSammy as frustration mounted over the lack of arrests.
Police launched an investigation following the March 8 altercation at a nightclub in Rock Sound.
Julien Believe says backlash is about Bahamians not valuing their culture
JULIEN Believe says backlash over his Vybz Kartel concert performance was less about him — and more about Bahamians’ failure to value their own culture. The Bahamian artist, whose set at the highprofile Clifford Park show drew attention for its lukewarm reception, defended his appearance yesterday, saying he was proud to represent Junkanoo and Bahamian music. He said social media exaggerated a moment
CONQUERORS BREAKING GROUND
A GROUNDBREAKING ceremony was held on Sunday for a new community centre with Henry and Ann Higgins for the Conquerors for Christ on Carmichael Road.
Photo: Chappell Whyms Jr
Ingraham: Justice system flawed
from page one
observations are refreshing, and it demonstrates some of the valuable benefits we can receive from persons who are not presently part of the system and who are willing to introduce new perspectives and practices derived from their experiences in other countries.”
During a hearing on Friday in the high-profile bribery case involving a former senior officer and a well-known attorney, Justice Fitzpatrick emphasised that the trial would not be postponed beyond 2026 and raised alarm over outstanding evidence, scheduling issues and a bloated witness list.
“Too many cases take too long to get to a trial,”
‘Too many judges are inefficient in managing their time and take too long to deliver their judgments. There is no reason why a trial cannot begin at 9.30 and not 10 o’clock. We have heard of too many stories of jurors and witnesses sitting around waiting for their trials to start. Indeed, some judges are notorious in their habit of not starting court until well after 10am.’
Mr Ingraham said in his letter. “Last week, the jury unanimously acquitted a person accused of murder. The incident took place in 2019, and the matter did not come to trial until 2025, some six years later. Indeed, there was a murder trial heard in 2024 concerning
an incident which occurred in 2013. There was a report of this case in the Nassau Guardian on 18th September, 2024. Presently, there is a high-profile case in the courts that has been going on for almost two years.”
Mr Ingraham said delays and adjournments should
GIBSON AIMS FOR MICAL SEAT - AS MCINTOSH SET TO BOW OUT
from page one
At least one other hopeful, 58-year-old Inagua business owner Laverne Ingraham, has also declared interest in the nomination.
Mr McIntosh, who has kept a low public profile and has rarely discussed matters related to his Cabinet portfolio, previously said in 2023 that he intended to seek re-nomination despite Mr Gibson’s interest. Asked yesterday why he changed course, the state minister for aviation
said there was no specific reason for his decision. His announcement comes amid criticism from some PLP supporters who have expressed disappointment in his performance.
A Mayaguana resident, speaking anonymously, said Mr McIntosh had promised to help residents obtain property deeds and restore the island as a port of entry, but neither pledge was fulfilled.
She said such promises, if fulfilled, could have boosted tourism and given residents more opportunity to remain
on the island instead of relocating for work.
Her frustrations were echoed by Inagua residents, who criticised what they view as government neglect.
One Inagua resident, who also requested anonymity, said the community feels invisible, unheard, and neglected. Another resident added that it seems no one cares or checks on them, and that the island has been overlooked for generations.
Others were more charitable, describing Mr McIntosh as a nice person and declining to comment on his track record.
Mr McIntosh said constituents are entitled to their opinions. He said he would serve out the remainder of his term but did not specify what he hoped to accomplish before leaving office.
“There’s a lot but right now, I think it’s too early for me to discuss it,” he said.
Meanwhile, Mr Ingraham told The Tribune that basic upgrades are needed in the constituency, especially in infrastructure.
Some MICAL residents who spoke to this newspaper said they would like to see Mr Gibson nominated. Others, like Henry Rolle, said they would support whoever the PLP chooses.
Mr Gibson waged a high-profile campaign in 2023 to secure the PLP’s nomination in the West Grand Bahama and Bimini by-election, clashing publicly with party chairman Fred Mitchell over eligibility rules and insisting he was “the people’s choice”. Despite rallying visible support on the ground, he was ultimately not selected.
VICTIM DIES AFTER SUNDAY SHOOTING
A MAN who was shot late on Sunday morning on Flemming Street died in hospital yesterday, police said, making him the 21st murder victim of the year, according to The Tribune’s records.
Meanwhile, police in Grand Bahama are investigating a traffic accident that claimed the life of a 33-year-old man over the weekend. The crash happened shortly before 5am on Friday, March 28, on Warren J Levarity Highway. According to initial
be minimised across all cases, including family matters like divorce and custody, which can worsen strained relationships and hinder people from moving on with their lives. He said the justice system must uphold the constitutional right to a fair trial within a reasonable time, and judges should manage cases to prevent long delays and unnecessary adjournments.
“Too many judges are inefficient in managing their time and take too long to deliver their judgments,” he said. “There is no reason why a trial cannot begin at 9.30 and not 10 o’clock. We have heard of too many stories of jurors and witnesses sitting around waiting for their trials to start. Indeed, some judges are notorious in their habit of not starting
court until well after 10am.
“There are known cases where judges take more than three years to deliver their judgments. Indeed, some have retired without giving a written reasoned judgment for oral decisions they have made. This is simply inexcusable.”
Mr Ingraham said lawyers also contribute to delays by appearing unprepared, overbooking cases, and filing documents at the last minute. He urged judges to stop accommodating such behaviour and instead penalise lawyers, not their clients, for these practices. He said the Office of the Public Defender needs more resources.
To address the backlog, the Davis administration increased the number of Supreme Court judges
from 20 to 25 and moved to expand court infrastructure.
While pointed criticism of judges is rare from prominent personalities, Attorney General Ryan Pinder has adopted a more direct tone recently, urging judges to deliver decisions more promptly. In January, during a retirement event for Court of Appeal President Justice Jon Isaacs, Mr Pinder drew nods and murmurs from the crowd when he remarked: “He has never been the subject of public or private criticism that he takes too long to deliver his judgments. This is something to be commended, an example that current judges should emulate.”
• Read the full letter on page six.
reports, the
March 30. Investigations are continuing.
FORMER MP Shane Gibson.
BASIL MCINTOSH MP
Julien Believe says backlash is about Bahamians not valuing their culture
showing an unresonsive crowd and ignored the bigger issue: the way Bahamian culture is viewed at home.
“I saw the criticism and I heard it. I also saw a lot of love, and I also saw a lot of Bahamians defending the culture,” he said. “Because what a lot of people were doing, they weren’t really trolling me or criticising me, you know, they were criticising Bahamian culture and saying that the Bahamian culture didn’t have a place on that stage in The Bahamas, which is a very unfortunate thing to be able to say.”
The singer said he believes the backlash reflected a deeper cultural problem — one that discourages young Bahamian artists from embracing local sounds out of fear of ridicule.
“It’s kind of discouraging, because a lot of young Bahamian artists and talents are straying away from doing the local music and the local culture because they’re afraid of what they will experience as they grow in the business,” he said.
“We have a greater problem in our country. The problem is we don’t appreciate our culture enough.”
While acknowledging that crowd reactions are
unpredictable, the singer said many factors affect audience energy — including how a performance is introduced or the music played beforehand. He noted that other performers that night received similar responses.
“I wasn’t the only artist on stage where the response was like that. Everyone that went up on stage, the response was like that,” he said, referring to the nonheadline acts.
He said many foreigners in the crowd had likely never heard Bahamian music or Junkanoo before — and that alone made the moment worthwhile.
“I do what I normally do,” he said. “I was part of what I was able to do. I’ve never had an experience like that before, so to me, it still was a good opportunity for a lot of the foreigners who never saw me, who never heard Junkanoo music, or Bahamian music for the first time, they would have had an opportunity to experience our music and our culture.”
Still, he warned that public backlash to local artists being featured alongside big-name international acts could do long-term harm.
“For a long time, people complained about foreign artists getting on these stages, but now that we have that opportunity, we’re complaining again,” he said. “What it’s going to
do is it’s going to hurt other Bahamian artists in the future from being able to share these stages. We don’t want that.”
The singer said he intends to speak to his fans directly and is mindful of how he
addresses criticism publicly.
“Because I have kids, and I have a family, I’m very cautious on what I say,” he said. “I’m more concerned about my legacy than anything else, and so at the end of the day, I’m
just here to represent for the culture, and I’m grateful for all the love that I’ve been getting, the calls I’ve been getting, the shares, people defending the culture. Again, this — I’m just the catalyst that people are
using at this moment.” He ended with a call for unity and support: Bahamians, he said, must stop tearing down their own.
“Give them some incentives,” he said. “We must tap into the resources.”
VYBZ KARTEL CONCERTGOERS CRITICISE ORGANISATION
WHAT was meant to be a landmark moment in dancehall history
— Vybz Kartel’s first international concert since his prison release — turned into a chaotic experience for many on Saturday, as the highly anticipated show left frustrated patrons battling hours-long waits, a disorganised ticketing system, and a poorly stocked bar, only to be salvaged by electrifying performances from Kartel and Spice.
Billed as part of a three-day “Vybz Kartel and Friends” festival, the concert at Clifford Park drew heavy interest from both local and international patrons. Tickets ranged from $150 for VIP (classified as general admission) to $300 for all-access, with skyboxes priced in the thousands.
Patrons arrived expecting a seamless experience but reported encountering disorder instead.
The entry line, which wrapped around Clifford Park, lead to two small windows on a jitney where attendees were expected to collect wristbands. With no clear signage or direction, locals and foreigners scrambled to get to the windows, creating chaos. Many people were left questioning how to gain access.
Wait times stretched to nearly two hours, with some concertgoers giving up and leaving. Eventually, promoters ran out of wristbands, forcing organisers to allow attendees to enter without them, further adding to the disorder.
Some took to social media to vent their disappointment. One Facebook user wrote: “The Vybz Kartel concert was the most unorganised event I’ve been to in my life.”
A Twitter user echoed the sentiment, saying: “I’ve been around the world, and this is by far the worst execution of a concert I’ve ever seen.”
Michelle Solomon, who attended with friends, arrived around 11.30pm but was not allowed in until after 1am — just before Spice’s performance. She described the bar as understocked and the service slow. While she praised the performances, she condemned the event’s disorganisation.
“The ticketing process was an absolute mess,” she said. “Despite paying good money, I was met with chaos, delays, and a complete lack of organisation. It’s unacceptable that fans have to go through this just to see an artist they love. The organisers need to do better — this was a blatant failure, and people deserve refunds or real accountability.”
Despite the turmoil, the performances by Vybz Kartel and Spice were widely praised. Fans described their sets as energetic and engaging, with many calling it Vybz Kartel’s best performance yet.
Event promoters did not respond to The Tribune’s requests for comment yesterday.
JULIEN Believe performing during the
Vybz Kartel concert night in this image from video.
VYBZ KARTEL
Minister: ‘Nothing stopping’ maternity leave expansion
By KEILE CAMPBELL Tribune Staff Reporter kcampbell@tribunemedia.net
A PUSH to expand maternity leave in The Bahamas is gaining traction, with Labour Minister Pia Glover-Rolle declaring there is “nothing stopping it” — even as business leaders warn such reforms could threaten jobs and strain companies.
The minister spoke at the National Tripartite Council’s (NTC) annual general meeting yesterday, noting that the proposals result from recommendations from employers, trade unions, and the government itself.
The reforms under discussion include extended leave entitlements as well
as potential changes to the Employment Act, Industrial Relations Act, and public service regulations. Mrs Glover-Rolle said many countries have already implemented similar policies and that The Bahamas should not lag behind.
“Many countries have successfully demonstrated that they have extended maternity leave, paternity leave, mental health leave, remote work legislation, and, of course, legislation that speaks to the industry of tech and AI that’s everevolving,” she said. She added that these discussions stemmed from a July 2024 symposium that brought together stakeholders to identify priorities for legislative change.
Still, not everyone is convinced. Bahamas Chamber of Commerce and Employers Confederation (BCCEC) president Dr Leo Rolle recently warned that expanded leave entitlements could impose serious burdens on struggling businesses.
While he acknowledged that some labour laws are “antiquated” and in need of reform, he said any changes should come through wide consultation.
NTC chairperson Sharron Martin said the council supports the proposed changes, especially the extension of maternity leave, calling it a matter of public health rather than personal financial gain.
“It wasn’t necessarily for financial gain for
the women. It was more so to ensure that she had enough time to, say, breastfeed the child, bond with the child,” she said. She added that the National Breastfeeding Association first raised the issue and that the NTC’s research revealed The Bahamas had not signed ILO Convention 183, which covers maternity protection.
Bahamas Union of Teachers president Belinda Wilson backed the idea of expanding paternity leave, noting it was one of 255 recommendations that came out of last year’s labour symposium.
“Countries such as Sweden — they’re already doing it,” she said. However, she added that the proposed changes would
need to align with industrial agreements, legislation, and National Insurance Board provisions.
“As a worker’s out on maternity, you will need to bring someone in to complete their task or their duties,” she said. “We’ll have to look at our industrial agreements and make sure that it is in keeping with what the new legislation, laws and policies will be.”
Ann Marie Davis, spouse of the Prime Minister, also attended the AGM and
voiced support for the proposed reforms, underscoring the importance of bonding time for both parents.
“We need so much care for that newborn baby, not only from one parent, the mother, but we also need a bonding period for the father as well,” she said. “We want the father to be very much involved in the nurturing of the baby so that bonding can occur and less pressure for the mother and for the father.”
MINISTER of Labour Pia Glover-Rolle, right, and Bahamas Union of Teachers presdient Belinda Wilson, above. Photos: Dante Carrer/Tribune Staff
The Tribune Limited
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LEON E. H. DUPUCH, Publisher/Editor 1903-1914
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RT HON EILEEN DUPUCH CARRON, C.M.G., M.S., B.A., LL.B.
Publisher/Editor 1972-
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The challenges faced by our courts
IN TODAY’S Tribune, former Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham points out the flaws in our country’s judicial system. In yesterday’s Tribune, we reported on Justice Dale Fitzpatrick warning that delays in criminal proceedings could crush the system. Both are right.
For too many years now, the Bahamian court system has been too slow, too cumbersome and too inefficient.
There are cases stuck in the system for years and years. In 2020, we reported on the jailing of a man for the death of Ericka Fowler, a former employee at The Tribune, sentenced 14 years after her stabbing.
In March of that year, a report from the US pointed out flaws in a prosecution at the time, noting “there have been very few convictions for public corruption in The Bahamas despite 80 percent of Bahamians saying they felt corruption in government was a major problem”.
That report went on to note the same kind of delays and frustration that Justice Fitzpatrick and Mr Ingraham are pointing out now.
The report particularly noted problems with regards to cases involving drugs, trafficking and guns.
Adjournment after adjournment saw cases taking years to drag their way through the system. Files going missing, lawyers not appearing in court, all adding up to delaying justice over and over.
In yesterday’s Tribune, Justice Fitzpatrick was reported as saying: “I am anxious about the delay in this jurisdiction. It is profound. It will crush this system.”
The judge, a Canadian appointed in January, has wasted no time in assessing the problems with our judicial system.
He was speaking during a hearing in an important case – that of former Chief Superintendent Michael Johnson, attorney Bjorn Ferguson and Sergeant Deangelo Rolle who face bribery-related charges from a police probe into the theft of $1.475m from
a bank security vehicle in November 2023.
The allegations include leaked recordings of alleged conversations between Johnson, Ferguson and a man who was later murdered.
Justice Fitzpatrick said he would accept no further delays to hearing the case despite missing evidence and a fully booked court calendar.
He also pushed back against the length of the witness list, saying many were “completely irrelevant”. He said: “We’re not doing that.”
Yesterday, Mr Ingraham applauded the judge in a letter you will see on this page, saying: “The judge is correct!”
He echoed the sentiment that too many cases take too long to get to a trial – we strongly suggest you read his whole letter. We have written in this column often on the old truism that justice delayed is justice denied. That stands both for the family members of victims of crimes, left waiting far too long to see the perpetrators punished, and for the accused, who face too long a wait to attempt to prove their innocence – or face the consequences of their guilt.
Time and again, we have heard stories of families coming face to face on the street with suspects in cases of murdered loved ones. We have faced it in person ourselves too.
We have often said that speeding up the court system would be one of two things that could make a huge difference in The Bahamas – the other being a more independent public service without wholesale changes with every change of administration.
So well done to Justice Fitzpatrick for speaking up. We hope other judges will pick up that banner too.
And we agree with Mr Ingraham for his comments on the matter too.
Let this rallying cry be a guiding light for reform across our system. It certainly needs it.
Judge right on dangers to system
EDITOR, The Tribune.
I APPLAUD the comments made by recently appointed Justice Dale Fitzpatrick when he said that he was “anxious about the delay in this jurisdiction. It is profound. It will crush the system”. The judge is correct!
The judge refused to countenance a delay of the trial of a high ranking police officer until 2027 or 2028. He was right to do so. Too many cases take too long to get to a trial. Last week, the jury unanimously acquitted a person accused of murder. The incident took place in 2019, and the matter did not come to trial until 2025, some six years later. Indeed, there was a murder trial heard in 2024 concerning an incident which occurred in 2013. There was a report of this case in the Nassau Guardian on 18th September, 2024. Presently, there is a high profile case in the courts that has been going on for almost two years. The Constitution states that every person is entitled to a fair trial within a reasonable time. The system must ensure that this is done, and judges must exercise their power to manage cases in a manner that ensures that this is done.
Long delays and adjournments must not be allowed.
This also applies to cases other than criminal cases. Family matters like divorce, custody and property division should be decided promptly. Uncontested divorces should not require a court attendance. Adjournments and delays in family matters aggravate already strained relationships and person’s ability to move on in their lives.
Too many judges are inefficient in managing their time and take too long to deliver their judgments. There is no reason why a trial cannot begin at 9:30 and not 10 o’clock. We have heard of too many stories of jurors and witnesses sitting around waiting for their trials to start. Indeed, some judges are notorious in their habit of not starting court until well after 10am.
There are known cases where judges take more than three years to deliver their judgments. Indeed, some have retired without giving a written reasoned judgment for oral decisions they have made. This is simply inexcusable.
But our lawyers also
contribute to this backlog and delay. Too many come to court unprepared and overcommit themselves to too many cases. They seek adjournments for specious reasons or file and serve documents at the last minute causing the other party to seek an adjournment. Judges must not indulge this behavior and make greater use of wasted court orders to penalize the lawyers and not their clients for their delinquencies. The Office of the Public Defender needs more resources.
All this contribute to delays, backlog and to people losing confidence in our judicial system. Justice Fitzpatrick has only been here in The Bahamas for three months. He has already recognized the grave problems that we are facing. His frank observations are refreshing, and it demonstrates some of the valuable benefits we can receive from persons who are not presently part of the system and who are willing to introduce new perspectives and practices derived from their experiences in other countries.
HUBERT A INGRAHAM
Former Prime Minister March 31, 2025.
GB f res show need
EDITOR, The Tribune.
AS flames consume homes, landscapes, and our very livelihoods, the frustration and despair of our people continue to grow. We stand together, united in our anguish, watching helplessly as fires continue to rage over Grand Bahama. The cries of our community echo through the smokefilled air, a reminder of what is at stake for our people. We need change. For too long, we have witnessed misdirected funds and priorities that do not serve our people. While $58m has been spent on private jets, expensive hotel rooms, and rum, not a single firefighting plane and enough fire trucks to service our island
have been secured for the safety and well-being of our communities. When disaster strikes, we should not be left begging international partners for help, enduring delays that exacerbate the destruction. Investing in essential emergency resources is not a choice but a necessity. A single water bomber, like the AT-802F Fire Boss, costs merely $3m—a small fraction compared to the extravagant travel costs of this government. For the price of one long-range private aircraft, The Bahamas could possess an entire fleet of firefighting planes, ready to defend our people and our environment. This crisis is more than a natural disaster; it is a
glaring failure of leadership. The lack of foresight and planning has left Grand Bahama vulnerable, risking the lives and livelihoods of the people with every delayed action. We deserve better. Our community deserves better. It is time for the government to prioritise the safety and welfare of its citizens over travel and waste of the public purse. Let us stand together, demand accountability, and ensure that such failures do not continue to plague our nation. This government just lousy man!
Adderley drum major passing on the mace to an inspiring young man who was
overwhelmed by joy that he started to cry.
Photo: Michael Adderley
MARINES TO THE RESCUE
DEANGELO DEATH ACCUSED TO FACE JUNE 2026 TRIAL
By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter
pbailey@tribunemedia.net
TWO police officers accused of manslaughter in the 2018 shooting death of Deangelo Evans in Mason’s Addition are set to stand trial in June next year.
In January, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) reversed an earlier decision not to pursue charges in the case.
Inspector Akeem Wilson and Detective Corporal 3906 Donald Wright were formally arraigned before Justice Dale Fitzpatrick in the Supreme Court, where their trial was set for June 1, 2026. A pretrial review is scheduled for May 1, 2026.
The officers will return to court on September 17 for a hearing on an application by their attorney, K Melvin Munroe, who has alleged an abuse of the judicial process.
Evans, a 20-year-old Junkanooer and member of the Shell Saxons Superstars, was killed on May 27, 2018, when police responded to reports of an armed robbery. A Coroner’s Court jury ruled in 2023 that his death was a homicide by manslaughter — one of several such findings in recent years that led the DPP to review police-involved killings.
Evans’ death sparked outrage in Mason’s Addition, where hundreds gathered at a vigil demanding justice. His parents attended the inquest and several court hearings. Meanwhile, four other officers—summoned in January in relation to separate fatal police shootings— failed to appear before the Coroner’s Court.
Police Constables 3731 Kevin Greenslade and 3725 Robert Young were due to answer for the 2019 killing of 21-year-old Shanton
Forbes in Yellow Elder Gardens. Constable 4185
Samuel Ferguson and former officer 4427 Shando King were summoned in connection with the 2023 killing of 42-year-old Valentino Johnson on Seven Hills Road. All four officers’ voluntary bills of indictment (VBIs) are ready. King remains at large. He absconded while on bail for an unrelated attempted murder charge and has been the subject of an arrest warrant since September.
Sergeants 2825 Antonio Sweeting, 3039 Johnson, and 3726 Deangelo Rolle are also set to face trial in June 2026 for the 2021 killing of Azario Major, 31, on Fire Trail Road. Additionally, Constable Dennis Sturrup has been charged with manslaughter in the 2017 shooting of 15-year-old Gino Finley Jr during an alleged armed robbery at Seagrapes Plaza.
$500 COMPENSATION FOR INDECENT ASSAULT
By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter
pbailey@tribunemedia.net
A MAN was ordered to compensate a woman yesterday after admitting he indecently assaulted her last weekend.
Senior Magistrate Kara Turnquest-Deveaux arraigned 25-year-old Jonas Merlien on an indecent assault charge. Prosecutors said Merlien grabbed the bottom of a 26-year-old woman on March 29 in New Providence and told her, “I know you like this.” He pleaded guilty and apologised profusely for his actions.
The court granted Merlien a conditional discharge and placed him on six months’ probation. He must also pay the victim $500 in compensation. Failure to comply could result in a six-month prison term. Keevon Maynard represented the accused.
SUSPECT ACCUSED OF ATTEMPTED MURDER
By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net
A MAN was remanded to prison yesterday after being accused of attempted murder in a near-fatal shooting in Montell Heights last month.
Chief Magistrate Roberto Reckley arraigned 34-yearold Travis Kemp on charges of attempted murder and possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life. Prosecutors allege Kemp shot 29-year-old Sidney Storr in the upper body behind a home on Mantol Street around 11.20pm on March 21. Kemp allegedly fled the scene on foot. Storr was treated in hospital and survived the attack. Kemp was not required to enter a plea. His case will
proceed to the Supreme Court through a voluntary bill of indictment (VBI). He was informed of his right to apply for bail in the higher court and will be remanded to the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services until his VBI is potentially served on May 29. Inspector Deon Barr served as the prosecutor. K Melvin Munroe represented the accused.
OFFICERS of the Royal Bahamas Defence Force pictured on Saturday at Lynden Pindling International Airport as they prepared to reenforce fire teams on Grand Bahama.
Photo: Chappell Whysm Jr
Students shine in speech contest
The BTVI Story
IN A DEMONSTRA-
TION of research and eloquence, the Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute’s (BTVI) inaugural accreditation speech competition ended in a clean sweep. BTVI is celebrating the outstanding achievements of three of its male students who took centre stage with dynamic speeches. Human Resources Management student Lamech Burrows claimed first place. Second place was Information Technology student, Brandon Dillet and third place awardee was Electrical Installation student, Demario Duncombe.
The competition was organised by BTVI’s Public Relations and Marketing Department. Public relations officer Hadassah Deleveaux said the exciting competition was held to coincide with BTVI’s efforts to secure accreditation by the Council on Occupational Education (COE) and the National Accreditation and Equivalency Council of The Bahamas (NAECOB).
“As we seek accreditation, it’s imperative that our students are a part of the journey. The speech contest was just one avenue to
do that. We love the fact that students took part in research and were willing to stand before an audience and deliver, demonstrating their ability to communicate ideas that are crucial to the institute’s future,” said Ms. Deleveaux.
Present at the event were BTVI’s president, Dr Linda A Davis; Acting vice president of academic affairs Dr Pleshette McPhee and marketing coordinator Shacqeel Coleby with vice president Kevin Basden and associate vice president of the Grand Bahama Branch Campus, Veronica Collie joining via Zoom.
Dr Davis made special note of virtual contestant, Charrah Hall-Rolle. The office administration student gave powerful insights on the topic from Black Point, Exuma. BTVI has a network of seven sites including the Exuma Extension Campus.
“As BTVI seeks accreditation from the Council on Occupational Education, the accreditation speech contest provided an exceptional platform for students to not only showcase their oratory skills but to engage in critical discourse about the future of BTVI. I sat there, listened intently
and was really proud. The theme itself encouraged students to explore the importance of institutional accreditation and its role in shaping education and workforce development in The Bahamas,” said Dr Davis. Besides the top performing contestants, other participants included Paulette Cooper-Cunningham, massage therapy; Precious
CALL TO APPLY FOR SCHOLARSHIP
SIXTH-GRADE students attending school in Grand Bahama with a GPA of 3.0 or above are now invited to apply for the 2025 Carleton Williams Scholarship, offered by Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), the local producers of CocaCola and Dasani products. This scholarship rotates annually, with opportunities for primary students at Garvin Tynes Primary in New Providence one year, and all sixth graders in Grand Bahama the following year. The winning scholar will be awarded a
scholarship for the full six years of high school at a local private school, with the requirement to maintain a minimum GPA throughout their academic journey.
The application deadline for this year’s scholarship is Sunday, May 11th, 2025. Once submitted, applications will be reviewed by a panel, followed by interviews with the finalists. Launched in 2016 to honour Carleton Williams upon his retirement as Chairman of the Board for CBC, the scholarship has made a significant impact on the lives of 10
students and their families.
The 2025 recipient will join an inspiring group of past scholars, including Selena Cartwright (2024), Timothy Kemp (2023), Leonardo Sands (2022), Maliyah Edgecombe (2021), Angela Sands (2020), Gabriel Hall (2019), Kennedi Knowles and Anajah Culmer (2018), Kailena Pinder (2017), and D’Ron & T’Ron Strapp (2016), the inaugural scholarship winners. For more information or to access the scholarship application, visit www. cbcbahamas.com.
Ferguson, office assistant and Sherniqua Belle-Rolle, office administration.
A significant factor in the contest’s success was the invaluable partnership between BTVI and Visionaries Toastmasters Club #7548881. The club, which meets at the BTVI New Providence Main Campus on Wednesdays, is one of the organisations BTVI students have the opportunity to join.
“Visionaries played an essential role in helping us execute the event. We are grateful to Toastmasters Division I director, Distinguished Toastmaster Ernesto Williams, for his expert guidance. We’re also appreciative of Visionaries president, Toastmaster Th’mars Knowles and his team for the sacrifice of hosting the competition during its regularly-scheduled
meeting. The event was a testament to the power of collaboration,” said Ms Deleveaux.
• “The BTVI Story” is a monthly column which highlights how the Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute (BTVI) is ‘Charting the Course for Success’ for learners in a multiplicity of trades. The column is produced by BTVI’s Office of Public Relations.
YOUTH FORUM DEBATES ISSUES
By FAY SIMMONS Tribune Education Reporter jsimmons@tribunemedia.net
THE 2025 CARICOM Youth Forum gathered over 400 young people to explore regional issues and engage in meaningful discussions on critical topics. Students from nearly every public and private school in New Providence participated in sessions focusing on “The Role of Diplomacy – A YouthDriven Future,” “Climate Change and Sustainability,” and “The Future of Entrepreneurship in the Caribbean.”
Kenmyah Black, a grade 11 student at Government High School, said the event broadened her perspective on the country’s current climate change related threats.
“This experience was eye-opening. I had no idea The Bahamas was being threatened so much by climate change. They gave us ways we could combat climate change ourselves – in the situations we are in. We learned how we can help even though we
are not in huge leadership positions; but from our position, we can make a difference.”
“I am grateful. This event helped me realise I have a voice and it has equipped me with the knowledge that I could go places. The information I got showed me how I could make a difference, cast my vote, and how I could use my voice.”
Eighth-grader Angel Paul also reflected on the forum’s impact, noting that he was inspired by the presentations.
“My favourite part was learning about climate change and how it could affect The Bahamas. I’m glad I came. The speakers inspired me to know that we have a voice and we could change The Bahamas.”
Leslia Miller-Brice, Ambassador to CARICOM, organized the forum to help young people understand the purpose of CARICOM and its role in securing the future of the region.
“It was truly a joy to have so many young people
in one room—engaged and excited,” said Mrs. Miller-Brice.
“I want to say thank you to the government for ensuring that our youth were able to have this CARICOM experience. This was so important for their voices to be heard and for us to empower and engage them. They simply want to be heard.”
Founded in 1973, CARICOM (Caribbean Community) was established to promote economic integration and cooperation among its member states, with a focus on shared benefits and coordinated foreign policy. The involvement of young people is crucial for the region’s sustainable development, as they represent the heart of thriving communities.
Following the conference, some participants joined Mrs Miller-Brice in a mangrove planting event, offering them a hands-on opportunity to engage in climate change mitigation efforts and solidify their role as environmental ambassadors for the region.
BTVI recently held its first accreditation speech contest for students. From left, BTVI president Dr Linda A Davis; second place, Brandon Dillet; third place, Demario Duncombe; winner, Lamech Burrows and Visionaries Toastmasters Club #7548881 president, Th’mars Knowles.
Photo: BTVI
HONOURING OUR MEDICS
A LUNCHEON was held on Sundary to recognise doctors in the public heathcare system. The event was held at the Courtyard Marriot.
Photo: Chappell Whyms Jr