04202023 NEWS AND SPORT

MINNIS: PM ‘NO CLUE ON CRIME’

Former leader says Davis focusing on US gun makers and not on tackling crime

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune News Editor rrolle@tribunemedia.net

FORMER Prime Min-

ister Dr Hubert Minnis accused his successor of putting the United States at the centre of this country’s crime problems rather than focusing on local sources of violence and dysfunction.

Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis has made urging the US to help

reduce gun trafficking in the region a core part of his crime-reduction message.

During a CARICOM meeting in Trinidad and Tobago, Mr Davis shared statistics showing how many recovered weapons in some Caribbean countries can be traced to the United States.

Last month, the country also joined a $10bn lawsuit to hold US gun

Bowleg still ‘investigating’ position on Marital r ape l aw

By LYNAIRE MUNNINGS Tribune Staff Reporter lmunnings@tribunemedia.net

YOUTH, Sports and Cul-

ture Minister Mario Bowleg suggested he is conflicted on whether marital rape should be criminalised.

He said he is still investigating the issue.

“I wouldn’t say whether I support it or not, it’s still something that is being looked at,“ he said

yesterday.

“You have to truly look at it from all aspects, the holistic approach of it, biblically and all other means of it. So, for me, I’m still debating and investigating the information so that when I truly decide to make a decision, it would be based on facts and what I think it should be.

“But I don’t believe that

gB residents ‘up in ar Ms’ on water rate hike

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

THE GOVERNMENT

“must act now” and directly intervene to prevent the Grand Bahama Port Authority (GBPA) “regulating itself” over imminent water rate hikes, the Opposition’s finance spokesman charged yesterday.

Kwasi Thompson, the east Grand Bahama MP,

Measured responses on Mp r ape a llegations

By LYNAIRE MUNNINGS Tribune Staff Reporter lmunnings@tribunemedia.net

PROGRESSIVE Liberal Party and Free National Movement parliamentarians offered measured responses to the severe allegations involving one of their colleagues yesterday –– acknowledging the severity of the claims while stressing the MP is entitled to due process.

Elected officials were careful not to defend nor condemn their colleague as the House of Assembly met for the first time yesterday since a woman claimed she was raped and assaulted by a sitting MP,

woM an claiMs assault By M ale nurse on cruise ship

By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net

POLICE are investigating allegations that a nurse sexually assaulted a 43-yearold American woman on a cruise ship. A 34-year-old suspect has been arrested.

Police said the female passenger from Cleveland, Ohio, was allegedly assaulted on Tuesday while on board a cruise ship. The woman visited the infirmary for medical attention.

told Tribune Business his constituents are “up in arms” over the Grand

Bahama Utility Company’s proposed increases and view the approval process as “ridiculous”. This is because the GBPA, as the regulator which will make the final decision, enjoys the same ownership as GB Utility - the very entity it is supposed to be providing independent oversight for - via the Hayward and St George families.

how long will gov drag their Feet on protection

CARICOM agrees to ban assault weapons

CARIBBEAN leaders have agreed on plans to introduce bans in their countries on assault-style weapons mostly manufactured in the US to curb spikes in gun violence and weapons smuggling in the 15-nation CARICOM bloc.

The decison came late on Tuesday at the end of a two-day summit in Trinidad on crime. The bans would require a mix of legislation and changes in licensing regulations.

The leaders had called a roundtable on the issue amid complaints from several governments about an increase in gangland violence, bolstered by the availability of highpowered, military-style weapons smuggled mostly from the US.

Jamaica, Trinidad, The Bahamas, St Lucia and Barbados have all complained about an increase in gun murders in recent years.

“Caricom heads have agreed today to take a decision to ban the use and presence of assault weapons in the civilian population of our nations,” host Prime Minister Keith Rowley told reporters at the end of the summit, attended by a majority of heads of government.

The move came just a few weeks after several member nations announced plans to join with Mexico to sue American gun manufacturers over the weapons smuggled into their countries.

Prime Minister and CARICOM chairman Phillip “Brave” Davis told the summit that in The Bahamas 98.6% of recovered illegal firearms could be traced to the United States, in Haiti 87.7% and in Jamaica 67%.

“Jamaica had a staggering homicide rate of 52.9 per 100,000 inhabitants,” he said, as compared with the global average of about 7.5 per 100,000.

However, Mr Davis did not have figures on what percentage of the seized guns were assault-style weapons as opposed to handguns or other weapons that would be unaffected by this week’s proposed ban.

Mr Rowley said countries in the Caribbean would need legislation to support the ban, and he called on opposition parties throughout the region to support any parliamentary action by their governments.

He noted that the Caribbean leaders have asked US President Joe Biden for dialogue on the weapons issue.

K9 UNITS ASSIST IN DRUG FIND

POLICE arrested a 42-year-old man on suspicion of possession of dangerous drugs with intent to supply on Tuesday.

At about 7.30pm, officers attached to Operation Ceasefire and the K9 unit, acting on information, proceeded to the area of Whitaker Avenue off Carmichael Road. Dogs were used in the search and alerted officers to a derelict vehicle where a plastic bag containing suspected marijuana and cocaine was found. A male resident was arrested.

The suspected marijuana weighed 2lb 3oz with a street value of $2,300 and the suspected cocaine weighed 9oz.

• Two vehicles have been stolen and are being sought by police. The first was taken between 8am and 6pm on Friday from the owner’s residence and is a 2009 brown Honda Accord, licence plate AE5472. The second was taken from the area of Pineyard Road on Monday and is a brown 2008 Nissan Note, serial number E11-345189.

PRIME Minister Philip “Brave” Davis at the Trinidad summit.

Measured responses given on MP rape allegations

her ex-boyfriend. Both parties had wrestled internally with how to respond to the explosive allegations but have thus far chosen to be balanced with their public messaging.

“They’re accusations, they’re accusations,” former Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis said yesterday. “Nothing has been proven, everyone is innocent until proven otherwise.”

“I am only surprised that the member has not been called in for questioning. After all, the FNM members were called in for questions, were investigated and dealt with, whether appropriately or not, very quickly. Why hasn’t this particular member been called in?

One has to look at that.”

On Tuesday, Assistant Commissioner of Police Bernard “BK” Bonamy confirmed to ZNS police had not yet interviewed the accused. He said police were accumulating additional information before doing so.

Responding to the matter, FNM Deputy Leader Shanendon Cartwright focused on the quality of the police investigation, demanding the same standard be applied to the MP that would be

applied to anyone else.

“The opposition underscores that these are very serious allegations,” he said in a statement. “Our parliamentary caucus is watching the matter, as is everyone else. We are a country of laws and everyone should be held to the same standard.

“We will await to hear the outcome as the Royal Bahamas Police Force conducts their investigation. There is, of course, a presumption of innocence in the Commonwealth of the Bahamas but all matters must be treated fairly and all such claims taken seriously by the Royal Bahamas Police Force.

“On the larger issue of violence against women, as a nation, a woman’s right to live free from violence is non-negotiable and those that perpetrate acts of violence on women and girls should find no refuge from public rebuke nor the full brunt of the law.”

FNM leader Michael Pintard declined to comment on the matter. Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis has also not commented.

Echoing the tone of Deputy Prime Minister Chester Cooper, Myles Laroda, the State Minister responsible for National Insurance, said the allegations against the MP ought to be taken seriously.

“Well, I’d like to say this. The allegations are taken seriously, it’s not a trivial matter but I also believe in due process and let the process play out before I comment,” he said yesterday.

“It’s a serious allegation, especially in the climate that we live in, but we also have to respect due process.” Youth, Sports and

Culture Minister Mario Bowleg expressed confidence in the Royal Bahamas Police Force to investigate the matter.

“Well, the system has a process, in everything is a process, everything is ongoing,” he said. “I believe that there is quite a lot of confidence in the police to do their investigation thoroughly and properly and the way that

State Minister for National Insurance Myles Laroda yesterday said, “The allegations are taken seriously, it’s not a trivial matter but I also believe in due process and let the process play out before I comment.”

it should be done. And

when that is finished and said and done then the facts will be revealed, so we just need to allow the process to take its place.”

Parliamentarians with maverick reputations have also offered restrained commentary.

Asked about the matter on Tuesday, National Security Minister Wayne Munroe said: “The RBPF

investigates matters, and I don’t interfere with them.”

In a voice note yesterday that made no reference to the allegations against the MP, Fox Hill MP Fred Mitchell said: “Here’s some advice for public figures. Hold your head. There’s a time to speak, there’s a time for silence. That’s what the Bible says. Right now, silence is golden.”

Bowleg still ‘investigating’ position on Marital r ape l aw

from page one

any man or woman should be taken advantage of in any form or fashion when it comes to rape.”

The Bahamas’ legal system is one of about 35 worldwide that does not recognise marital rape without conditions.

Reporters have asked Members of Parliament their position on the matter as the Davis administration weighs amending the Sexual Offences Act to criminalise the act.

Golden Gates MP Pia Glover-Rolle said she supports such legislation but suggested consultation with people is needed first.

She said yesterday: “I think I’ve been on record a few times saying rape is rape. The context of the relationship doesn’t change what the definition of rape is. It’s non-consensual sex, so (criminalising martial rape is) very important, but what is also important is that we have conversations with all of the stakeholders.

“I think we’ve definitely shown our commitment to getting this done. We’ve had numerous town hall meetings; I’ve been to all, except one and every time the meeting ends, I’m present and the stakeholders say more conversation needs to happen.

“We have to ensure that we’re watching for all the loopholes. There’s a lot that has to be covered in this in terms of reparations, in terms of saying that you know, we understand women’s rights, we understand

While some Member of Parliament were ready to give their position on the criminalisation of marital rape others, like Mario Bowleg, said they need to ‘investigate’ the matter some more before committing to a position on the proposed legislation.

children’s rights, but this is a bigger and broader picture of human rights and then that speaks to our constitutional conversation.

“So, I think that it’s always important to do things comprehensively as opposed to rushing. I don’t think that this is not an important bill, it’s very important, but we have to make sure that we

consider every aspect and any loopholes.

“This conversation comes to us consulting with the stakeholders. Sometimes, you know, people say consult with stakeholders and then when you consult with stakeholders, they say why?”

Former Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis also said he supports criminalising

marital rape. However, critics noted yesterday that he did nothing to achieve this as Prime Minister despite pledging to do so.

“Rape is rape whether in marriage or in a relationship and these are matters that have to be dealt with. An individual should not be afraid to speak the truth,” Dr Minnis said yesterday.

New Law Reform and Revision Act passed seeks to improve staffing and management

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net

Parliamentar-

ians passed a new law reform and revision act yesterday to modernise the legislative processexpanding the number of members of the law reform Commission.

state minister for legal affairs Jomo Campbell said the legislation would reform the law reform Commission by improving its staffing and management.

the bill would change the commission’s makeup so that it consists of up to three rather than five people appointed by the Governor General on the advice of the Prime minister.

mr Campbell said the bill “broadens the qualifications for those being selected as commissioners by the prime minister”.

“this passing of this bill will also allow public officers to be appointed as commissioners,” he said.

“an integral step in modernising the commission’s mandate is the proper appointment of the revision Commissioner. the law presently allows for a reform Commissioner.”

He said the reform

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commissioner would conduct and manage a revision and consolidation

exercise to ensure the country’s laws remain updated and consolidated.

mr Campbell said reviewing legislation related to family law and

domestic violence should be a key focus of the commission.

“Before my election to this House, i was a practising attorney at the Bar and represented scores of persons seeking judicial assistance to obtain custody of their children or to prevent an estranged partner from interfering or abusing them, and other matters connected to families,” he said.

“While i, along with my colleagues at the Bar, did our best to advance our respective client’s interests, the unfortunate reality was and remains that attorneys and judges are working within a system using laws that are not often fit.”

mr Campbell highlighted outdated laws such as the matrimonial Clauses act and the adoption of Children act and said such laws needed to be amended.

the Child Protection act, though passed in recent times, contains “legislative glitches in that unmarried fathers were determined to have no standing to petition courts for visitation rights for their child,” he said.

He continued: “the Bahamas requires sound and relevant laws to cope

with change, progress and development. the law reform and revision Bill 2022 will greatly assist in modernising the law for reforming, revising, and consolidating the laws of the Bahamas and for connected purposes.”

meanwhile, st anne’s mP adrian White said the bill was not groundbreaking or much different from existing legislation.

east Grand Bahama mP Kwasi thompson said the new changes were minor and told the government not to oversell the bill.

“What you are putting on the record are changes. there are some minor changes that are being made to the law reform and revision commission, but you cannot oversell it in its importance and what it is going to accomplish in the country,” mr thompson said.

“You are doing your job. You are doing what needs to be done but you are not revolutionising the law reform commission.”

“What you are doing is making changes, necessary changes to the law, but there are so many more things that actually need to occur for this to make sense.” nevertheless, opposition members supported the bill.

State Minister for Legal Affairs Jomo Campbell said the legislation would reform the Law Reform Commission by improving its staffing and management.

The Tribune Limited

Why is Dr Minnis opposed to gun strategy?

FORMER Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis was in a talkative mood yesterday.

He spoke to reporters on a number of subjects – some of which were enough to raise an eyebrow.

Dr Minnis declared his support of the criminalisation of marital rape, for example, despite not having done so while he was in office.

He then set about taking his successor Philip “Brave” Davis to task – first for not defending the judiciary in the face of criticism from St Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves, who questioned why The Bahamas was granting bail to people charged with murder.

Readers who recall yesterday’s column will remember that Mr Davis spoke about the need for legal reforms –something we agree with – so this seems like Dr Minnis stirring up issues of territorial sovereignty rather than taking on the actual problems we face. Mr Gonsalves is only saying the same things that senior politicians and police officers have said here at home – it would seem churlish to take him to task for agreeing with Bahamian leaders.

More bizarrely, Dr Minnis also decided to criticise Mr Davis for the steps he has taken to try to stem the flow of guns into the country.

Dr Minnis said his successor is putting the United States at the centre of the country’s crime problems rather than focusing on local ways to stop the violence on our streets.

He said: “After promising on the campaign trail to address the crime problem, the Prime Minister now knows he has no clue as to what to do.

“His new strategy is to shift everyone’s focus to the role of people in the United States in the trafficking of guns to The Bahamas and the wider Caribbean.

“Guns trafficking plays a part in our crime problem, but there are much bigger problems the prime minister is not tackling.”

It is strange that Dr Minnis would at once acknowledge that gun trafficking plays a part in our situation and at the same time criticise Mr Davis for trying to do something about it.

Is gun trafficking the entirety of our problem? No, and no one is pretending that it is – but if we can reduce the number of illegal guns in our country, we can reduce the opportunity for such weapons to be used in ending someone’s life.

There are other issues of course – gangs, drugs, poverty, lack of opportunity, education problems, backlogs in the courts, a shortage of resources in fighting crime and in dealing with cases, and more besides.

But Dr Minnis was keen enough on dealing with the issue of guns for his government to champion ShotSpotter technology – to detect the sound of gunshots and allow police to respond faster to crime scenes. So he knows that guns play a major part in the violence our nation faces – and he already knew that too from the way in which our hospitals are sometimes overwhelmed with victims of gun crimes needing treatment to save their lives.

Dr Minnis talked of how the United States, from which most of the guns originate that arrive on our shores, is our closest friend – but it does not cost our friendship to call for gun manufacturers and sellers to be more responsible and for closing loopholes that make it easier for guns to be bought in a fashion that makes it easier to move them out of that country … and into ours. It is not the US government being taken to task, but rather particular US businesses.

If we cannot as a nation seek to hold individual businesses to account then what should we do in cases such as the FTX collapse – roll over and allow foreign companies to do what they please?

We are not sure what Dr Minnis is trying to achieve by opposing Mr Davis’ moves to limit gun supply lines – but he is right in one thing. He asks what are the Prime Minister’s plans to address problems in the justice system – and on that, we would all like to hear.

Tackling gun smuggling is one part of the big picture – but we have to play our own part too, and fix the delays in our legal system that leave cases idling for too long, and plays a part in the release on bail of violent offenders.

Atlantis and its sudden concerns

EDITOR, The Tribune.

IT IS with great interest and mostly baffled as I read in the daily newspapers about the various articles penned by Atlantis president and managing director Audrey Oswell that were published in protest of Royal Caribbean International (RCI) Royal Beach Club proposed to be developed on the western side of Paradise Island. As we all know by now that RCI was given Government approval pending environment impact assessment reports to go forward with its $100m project.

Does Audrey Oswell really concern about the environmental impact or is it just a smoke screen?

project without their consent and blessings?

According to Michael Bayley, president and CEO of RCI, “this project will be the gold standard in The Bahamas”, I would go further and say that possibly it will be the gold standard in the Caribbean region.

Atlantis’ boss went as far as exercising undue influence over the employees by publicly asking them to voice concerns to the government over RCI approval to invest $100m to develop the western portion of Paradise Island. It is very interesting because this employer filed an injunction in the courts against the hotel union who was seeking to represent these same employees who she now wants to speak out against RCI’s project. If am not mistaken I think that’s a first. I pray that the staff will not be faced with an ultimatum such as do it, speak up, or else.

I am of the opinion that RCI has a very good track record in The Bahamas. I recalled in late 2018 on board the new Symphony of the Seas, on its inaugural voyage to Nassau at the ceremony Mr Bayley announcing that RCI will provide all the food supplies to Bahamas Feeding Network headed by Mr Philip Smith and as I sat there, I said to myself what a very kind gesture and the many hungry people in our city that will be fed. To this date, the assistance continues.

EDITOR, The Tribune, PLEASE permit me space in your column to respond to Vincentian Prime Minister Ralph (“Comrade”) Gonzales, who suggested recently that the Bahamian Judiciary must be residents of Mars if they seriously feel that it is justifiable to continue bailing murder accused in an environment where they now make up a solid proportion of victims and reoffenders.

Firstly, as a Bahamian and a person who believes in debate that does not sink to the level of insult, I will remind the Rt. Honourable Gentlemen that there may indeed one day turn

out to be life on Mars, in which case our new planetary neighbours will rightly take offence with that comparison.

Secondly, an observer would have to travel to far deeper and darker recesses of the universe to find comparatives with the species of logic employed by our judges and politicians, who continue to subject our country to a spiral of easily-preventable violence on the spurious and weak-kneed grounds that they do. If you want more examples, check out the light sentences for illegal firearm possession, too.

What makes it all the more maddening is the tendency of both politicians and judges to deflect

the problems of their own obvious making onto everything from bad parents to young people who can’t resolve disputes, to US gun manufacturers.

But while all these factors equally apply elsewhere, Gonzalves’ response to our unique Bahamian situation would be the first response of any rational outsider looking in.

Welcome to The Bahamas, Comrade! Trust me, this is not the only area of policy and administration here that would equally baffle rational Earthlings and Martians.

ANDREW ALLEN April 19, 2023, Nassau.

Life on Mars To advertise in The Tribune,

I stand to be corrected but I personally cannot recall at any time that I have heard her voice her concern so aggressively about any other environmental issues in our country. I did not see any publication from her nor heard her say anything about the recent spill that occurred in Exuma that posed a threat to the environment. What about the sunken vessel in Abaco that could possibly pose a threat to the environment? What about the sunken mailboat at Potter’s Cay dock that could also pose a threat to the environment?

For a very long time derelict boats littered Potter’s Cay dock shouldn’t they be an environmental concern? Where was her voice? Maybe she said something about it aggressively in the daily paper but who knew?

There are so many environmental issues and concerns around The Bahamas involving developers. Since Audrey Oswell took the helm at Atlantis at any time did she ever voice any concerns in the press? Maybe she did.

Could it be that she possibly wanted such a project for Atlantis, but it was afforded to RCI?

Could it be that she was under the impression that no other major hospitality project should be on Paradise Island besides Atlantis? Could it be the Atlantis president and managing director came to a misguided conclusion that they are the owners and/or controllers of Paradise Island, and that the government should not and cannot grant any approval for a major

Could it be that Atlantis’ major concern is the fear of competition that RCI Royal Beach Club will bring to Paradise Island with such a massive project investment of $100m on its development? Who knows, maybe Atlantis guests and others on Paradise Island would want to experience the Royal Beach Club. Such a project would attract many more visitors the country which is a plus for The Bahamas and its economy.

RCI has had a very long healthy presence in our country for decades to be exact 50 years, which is coincidentally our 50th year of Independence. RCI has always been a good corporate citizen partnering with The Bahamas and their cruise ships has been bringing visitors to our shores in the millions over the years contributing enormously to our economy and assisting with keeping our people employed. Additionally, RCI has created hundreds of jobs if not thousands over the years for Bahamians in Nassau, Grand Bahama, and the Berry Islands (Coco Cay).

Furthermore, Royal Beach club will add more employment in the construction field, and it will continue in facility itself when it is open with sustainable jobs for our Bahamian people for years to come. This project if successful with its environmental impact assessment reports is a winwin for the people of The Bahamas with its public private partnership.

Let’s not forget that devastating monstrous and deadly category 5 hurricane Dorian which directly hit Abaco and Grand Bahama in September 2019. When the “all clear” was given, RCI went in and set up a fully resourced field kitchen on Grand Bahama feeding the people for quite some time also used one of its cruise ships to help evacuate and assist our people.

During the Covid-19 pandemic that crippled the world in so many ways, RCI home ported their cruise ship here in The Bahamas and continued to bring visitors to our shores who met the health requirements established by the government thus constantly contributing to the Bahamian economy and keeping our people employed who work in that area.

It is quite possible that there are environmental issues with many projects in The Bahamas, including Atlantis. We all know the common adage that says, “When you live in glass house don’t throw stones”. RCI must meet the environmental impact standards set by the government of The Bahamas. They should be given a fair chance and the opportunity like every other developer to meet the requirements at the least or surpass those standards in order to be granted the absolute approval to go forward and develop a portion of the western side of Paradise Island with an investment of $100m in its Royal Beach Club.

A SCENIC spot for a hole-in-one - the view from the Jack’s Bay golf course development in Eleuthera yesterday.

Photo: BIS

e x- prison officer guilT y of sMuggling drug into prison

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Court Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

A FORMER prison officer was found guilty yesterday of smuggling drugs into the prison.

Herman Major, 63, appeared before Magistrate Samuel McKinney for the conclusion of his trial. He was accused of possessing dangerous drugs with intent to supply and taking prohibited items into a correctional facility.

On April 20, 2022, Major is accused of smuggling five and three-quarter pounds of marijuana into the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services, concealing the drugs in a brown taped package. Later that day, officers, acting on information, seized the drugs, which had a street value of $5,750.

Following the defendant’s trial, Magistrate McKinney found him guilty and fined him $5,000. He could spend nine months in prison if he does not pay the fine. He

was further fined $2,500 for the contraband charge or risk an additional prison term of six months.

Major’s attorney, Christina Galanos, indicated an appeal will be filed against the conviction.

In a separate case, Patrick Sturrup, 29, appeared before Magistrate Shaka Serville on a charge of possessing dangerous drugs with intent to supply.

On April 18, Sturrup was arrested after he was found with 1.2oz of Indian Hemp.

He pleaded guilty and said the drugs were for his personal use. This resulted in the charges being reduced to simple possession of dangerous drugs.

The accused was granted a conditional discharge. He is expected to attend six months of drug counselling at Medicentre. Should he fail to do so, he would face a fine of $2,500 or a threemonth prison term.

Sturrup is expected to return to court on October 20.

Man re M anded without bail

on sexual assault charge

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Court Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

A 22-year-old man was sent to prison yesterday accused of the sexual assault of a woman during a home invasion in Exuma last week.

Trevano Smith stood before Senior Magistrate Carolyn Vogt-Evans on charges of attempted rape and burglary.

It is alleged that between 1am and 3.20am on April

Body of woman found in canal with bullet wounds

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net

THE bullet-riddled body of a woman was found submerged in waters near the South Beach canals yesterday.

Chief Superintendent Chrislyn Skippings said: “Sometime around 3pm this afternoon, our department was notified that the body of a female was found submerged in waters here at the South Beach canals.

“Officers responded along with officers from the Marine Support Unit and on arrival, confirmed that a female was submerged in waters. She was retrieved from the water and upon close examination, it was discovered that she had gunshot injuries to the upper body and

the lower body.”

“At present, we don’t know who the individual is. However, she’s believed to be in her late 30s (or) early 40s and so we want to make an appeal to family members who may not have seen their loved one in the past maybe 24 hours, we’re asking you to reach out to the officers of the Criminal Investigation Department.

“We’re asking you to go down there and bring an ID so that we... could find out exactly who this female may be. She was discovered by a group of males who were in the area swimming around the same time.” The latest incident comes less than a week after two women were found brutally murdered.

Police coroners load the body of a 30-40-year-old woman found dead with bullet wounds in a canal yesterday.

ale nurse on cruise ship

from page one

“It was during this time that she was administered a dosage of medication by a male nurse, who allegedly sexually assaulted her moments later,” police said.

that the suspect is not a Bahamian and was an employee. Investigations continue.

15 in Moss, Town, Exuma, Smith broke into the residence of a 40-year-old woman and attempted to force her to have sexual intercourse with him against her will.

Smith was told his case would be transferred to the Supreme Court by way of a Voluntary Bill of Indictment (VBI) and that he would be sent to prison until bail is granted by the higher court. Smith’s VBI is set for service on September 21.

Man who threatened woM an with shotgun granted bail

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Court Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

A MAN, accused of threatening a woman with a shotgun last month, was granted bail yesterday.

Charlton Moss, 53, appeared before Senior Magistrate Carolyn VogtEvans on charges of assault

with a deadly weapon, assault and threats of harm.

On March 31 in New Providence, Moss is accused of assaulting Kayoniys Mackey with a shotgun and threatening her with harm.

Moss pleaded not guilty. Bail was granted at $5,000, and he was warned not to interfere with witnesses.

The trial is set for July 31.

Three men plead ‘noT guilT y’ to atte Mpted kidnapping

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Court Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

THREE men are behind bars today after they were accused of a foiled kidnapping last week that resulted in a man being injured.

Alando Williams, 26, Omar Fowler, 19, and a 17-year-old male defendant appeared before Magistrate Samuel McKinney on charges of kidnapping, causing harm and threats of death.

It is alleged that on April 14 in New Providence,

while being concerned with others, the defendants kidnapped and injured Charles Bethel, and threatened him with death.

Fowler pleaded guilty to the causing harm charge, but all three defendants pleaded not guilty to the remaining charges.

The trio’s bail hearing was deferred until April 21, with all three defendants remanded to the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services.

The accused are expected to return to court for trial on June 16.

STORE WIDE SALE

Photo: Austin Fernander

Police press liaison Chief Superintendent Chrislyn Skippings confirmed to reporters

How long will government drag their feet in granting protection to women?

“Any government’s failure to criminalise marital rape effectively condones and enables the existence of a domestic space within a marriage where sexual violence is permitted. The married woman is, in effect, abandoned with no legal protection.” - Marion Bethel

IT now seems likely that yet another government will fail to outlaw marital rape.

It is a failure of political will and moral courage by a succession of political leaders in both major parties to outlaw a matter criminalised in the vast majority of countries, some for many decades.

But the greater failure is that of our culture, including an often passive populace and a deep-seated fundamentalism that paralyses the advancement of greater equality and basic norms of decency and human rights.

Despite the frenzied emotionalism of various religious leaders who passionately declare their love of and devotion to Jesus Christ and his admonitions of love, there remains a view in far too many clerical mindsets that a man who supposedly loves his wife can rape her without consequence.

This is not the love of Christ. It is human sinfulness and male vanity!

The moral and political confusion on marital rape was captured in the odd and unthinking statement by Speaker of the House of Assembly Patricia Deveaux as reported in The Nassau Guardian. Deveaux remarked: “You know, it’s sort of tough for the Speaker to weigh in exceptionally on that; one, because I’m not married, so I really don’t think that I’ll have a fair balance.

“When you are married and you would have spent years with your husband, I don’t know how to

balance the word rape in a relationship.

“I have my personal views that I’ll keep to myself, but in terms of being married, I think it will be an unfair gesture for me to answer because I’m not married.”

By extension, the Speaker is suggesting that as a parliamentarian she cannot opine on anything of which she lacks personal direct experience. Is she suggesting that every unmarried person, including those who take a vow of celibacy, as well as unmarried politicians, should refrain from having a view on marital rape?

If direct personal experience was a prerequisite for a parliamentarian to opine and vote on a matter, imagine how little progress we would have made in human history on everything from women’s suffrage to outlawing child labour.

The Speaker could have said to reporters: “In my role as Speaker, it best that I do not comment on this matter.”

To add to the confusion and unintelligibility that is resident throughout the country, the Speaker also said: “I’m not going to

posture there, because, like I said, I am not married, and so I don’t know how to balance it against a marriage.

“Now, if it’s a criminal act, it’s a whole different ball game, but if it’s a man and a woman lying down in a bed, I don’t know how to say that I’m totally against it because like I said, I’m not married, I wouldn’t know what goes on behind closed doors.

“It would have to be a case presented where something would have been happening for years; maybe there was some abuse, or something in the relationship that would get me to react to something like that in a marriage.”

So, is the Speaker suggesting that there could be a pattern of abuse leading to marital rape? Further, what other violence should be ignored “behind closed doors”? The Nassau Guardian report continued: “When it comes to the word rape, and we take the word married out of it, listen, the Speaker is totally against that.

“I believe that a woman is in control of her body and when she says no, it’s no. If she is not married and we are just using the word rape, I believe that it is a very criminal act.

“Coming out of a criminal background, because I worked with the police department for more than 30 years, I’ve seen a lot and I understand when we talk about the word rape, especially with children, I believe these guys should be [hanged].

“Some of them end up destroying these children’s lives and these women end up growing up not even able to bear children of their own because of the acts that would have happened to them.”

The story ended: “But the Speaker suggested marital

rape is another matter.” So, a single woman and children can be raped, which may harm them irrevocably, but within marriage a woman can be raped but because she is married there is no harm?! So, she must just endure the indignity? This is bizarre moral reasoning and illogical.

Christian Council president Bishop Delton Fernander, not known for his theological and intellectual acuity, was typically unhelpful and confusing.

He irrationally and bizarrely floated a red herring and distraction, suggesting that outlawing spousal rape could somehow lead to civil unions, though he offered no evidence to back his bogus claim. For many religionists their theology of marriage is antediluvian and more about male power instead of spousal love.

Faith should be informed, graced and seasoned by reason. The tradition of reason in some religious communities is threadbare and, in some instances, wholly absent. When an argument is suffused in fearmongering, ignorance, irrationality, proof texting of Scripture and bogeymen it is unlikely to be of the Spirit of the Lord.

The notion of “consultation” with the religious community, which seems interminable, is now a euphemism for delay, indecision and paralysis. This is morphing into farce.

Despite the entrenched backwardness of some, we are making some progress, though the criminalization of marital rape remains a distant horizon.

Deputy Speaker Sylvanus Petty, the Member of Parliament for North Eleuthera, offered intelligibility, consistency and empathy. The Guardian reported that “he supports criminalising

marital rape, even if it costs him his political career.

“‘Definitely, this is my opinion,’ said Petty when asked if he was willing to risk his political career to support the issue.”

He stated: “No means no, whether it be a man or woman. I don’t think because you are married you should force yourself on anyone. That’s just where I stand no matter who is against it. That’s where I stand.

“It’s not only for women, but it’s for men as well. I have sisters, I have aunts, I have nieces, so I have to look out for them as well. Marital rape, rape is rape, whether you are married or not, no means no.

“Being married doesn’t give you the right to say, well, OK, I can abuse my partner. The laws of the land stand that rape is rape. That’s my stance on it.”

Minister of Works and Fort Charlotte MP Alfred Sears has now added his public voice to the debate.

As reported in The Guardian, he stressed: “Nobody has the right to rape anybody,” said Sears responding to a reporter’s question.

“That’s my position.”

The story continued: “Sears was asked what message he had for his colleagues who may not support the proposed changes to the law. However, he would only restate his own position.

“‘I support the criminalisation of marital rape. That’s my position and I’ve stated my position without any ambiguity.

“During the debate, and when the debate comes before Parliament, I can state as the member for Fort Charlotte that I support the criminalisation of rape in any circumstance. That’s my position.”

Human rights campaigner and attorney Marion Bethel is emphatic: “Under human

rights law, all women, inclusive of a married woman, have a right to live free from sexual violence to bodily autonomy and integrity, to self-determination and to personal security.”

Women’s rights activists are on the mark. This government, like others before, are dragging their proverbial feet after proposing the Sexual Offences (Amendment) Bill, 2022, “which would change the definition of rape to include the act within marriage.”

Minister Sears says he will support the legislation when it comes before Parliament. But when is that? There is reportedly pressure from some clergy, various Cabinet ministers and some public relations operatives to leave the pressing matter alone.

The recent celebration of Women’s Month, with various activities, billboards throughout the island, and encomiums to women pioneers, rings hollow in many ways because of our gross –in both senses of the word – failure to promote the dignity of all women by outlawing spousal rape.

The failure to do so is an indication cum message to all Bahamian women, men and children, present and future, and to the world community, that a certain group of women remain legally unequal and at risk of violence.

This is worse than embarrassing. It is a moral, social and national disgrace, which Parliament can finally end. How much longer will Bahamian women have to wait, at the mercy of mostly men who have egregiously failed them – yet again!

* Front Porch is now available in podcast on The Tribune website under the Editorial section.

“Being married doesn’t give you the right to say, well, OK, I can abuse my partner. The laws of the land stand that rape is rape. That’s my stance on it.”

-Deputy Speaker Sylvanus Petty

Politicians need to recognise when it is time for them to leave the stage

WHAT do Diane Feinstein, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, George Santos and Clarence Thomas have in common?

It’s true that Feinstein and Ginsburg are or were reliably liberal, influential women who made a large impact on American society. And that Ginsburg and Thomas are or were (Ginsburg died in 2020) Supreme Court justices. Santos and Feinstein are both well-known elected politicians from big states New York and California respectively.

But there’s one big thing they all have in common. None of them could or can recognise when it’s time to leave the big stage. And each is costing their sponsors and political allies significantly in the court of public opinion.

They’re all stubborn. And none of them is capable of prioritising the responsibilities of public service over maintaining their own position. It’s a pretty self-centered attitude for a public servant to embrace.

Of course, these four are hardly unique in contemporary American political life. But while many share a stubborn grasp on their job, others move on.

Consider Iowa GOP Senator Chuck Grassley. He is 89 years old. In the Senate for 43 years, his seniority was his major selling point as he cruised to re-election last year. He is reported to have said this month that he is planning to run again in 2026 when he will be 95, “unless God intervenes”.

Grassley is only the second oldest serving US Senator. Feinstein is three months older than he is.

On the other hand, Vermont’s legendary Democratic Senator Patrick Leahy decided to leave

STATESIDE

with Charlie Harper

the Senate last year at the age of 83, finishing up 48 years in the US upper house. Many felt he could have successfully sought re-election. Feinstein has been in the news recently because she is an influential member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, the body that nominates federal judges for Senate confirmation. After the success enjoyed by both Barack Obama and Donald Trump in appointing large numbers of federal judges who shared their social and political philosophies, Joe Biden arrived in the White House determined to emulate or exceed their record. His plans are presently stalled by Feinstein’s lengthy absence from the Senate. She is suffering from shingles and, at 89, this is a serious health issue. She has been recuperating in California for over two months, far from Washington, DC, where her swing vote is needed to report out Biden judicial nominees for confirmation by the Senate.

Since the Dems only hold a one-vote edge on the Judiciary Committee, they no longer have the voting majority to move Biden’s nominees further along toward confirmation. Republicans, to no one’s surprise, blocked a Democratic attempt on Tuesday to temporarily replace her. Biden’s judges have remained in limbo in the Senate.

Then there was the sad case of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. An opera lover and author of many memorable left-leaning decisions and minority dissents for the court, Ginsburg became known as “Notorious RBG”, to her evident delight. She was a rock star, celebrated by liberals, women and girls and many “enlightened” men. Obama tried unsuccessfully to persuade the celebrated justice to retire in 2013 so he could appoint her successor. No dice. She offered one public excuse after another for years, but clearly loved being a celebrity and remained in the court even as her pancreatic cancer and other ailments took their toll on her health.

Many observers thought Ginsburg was waiting for Hillary Clinton to beat Trump before retiring, because Clinton would nominate a more liberal successor for her than Obama, or so her successor could be nominated by the first female president. Perhaps, but it also became evident that she loved the limelight and didn’t want to give it up, any more than do Feinstein or Grassley.

After Trump’s shock victory in 2016 and the election of a Republican Senate, she would have had to wait until 2021 for a Democrat to be president, but she died in office in September 2020 at age

87. That permitted Trump and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to confirm hard line social conservative Amy Comey Barrett to the high court, cementing a 6-3 conservative majority that proceeded in its first term to overturn Roe v Wade and open the legal door for severe restrictions to access to abortion for women in about half of the American states.

Part of that conservative high court majority is 74-year-old Clarence Thomas. This man has been very much in the headlines lately, particularly since a news web site revealed that he has accepted hundreds of thousands of dollars’ worth of luxury vacations, home renovations on his mom’s house, and other real estate-related benefits for many years.

The Supreme Court, scandalised and politicised especially during Trump’s presidency, is sullied as perhaps never before. And Thomas and his openly right-wing wife Ginni have been uncomfortably in the spotlight.

Thomas, who was confirmed by the US Senate in 1991 with Joe Biden serving as chair of the Judiciary Committee, revealed at that time a profound level of race-oriented resentment. He felt singled out and persecuted for the credence given to lurid allegations of sexual harassment made during his hearing by an attractive former subordinate, Anita Hill.

Thomas has ironically been a steadfast foe of the very voting rights, affirmative action and liberal doctrine that certainly facilitated his rise in the legal profession and nomination to the high court. The liberal knives have

been sharpened and ready for Thomas for years.

Now mainstream and liberal media are saturating their pages and airwaves with the latest Thomas ethics scandal. Uniquely in the American legal system, the Supreme Court has basically no code of ethics. It does seem that Clarence Thomas sees himself as above the law and rules that applies to those less well positioned to evade it.

This black justice is now becoming a potential campaign issue for next year, both for his steadfast conservative views and for his apparent indifference to the revelations of his persistent indiscretions.

He joins Feinstein and Ginsburg in stubbornly resisting calls to step down, and in the process damaging causes about which he clearly feels strongly.

As Leahy’s voluntary departure from the Senate stands in stark contrast to Feinstein’s tenacious resistance to leaving, Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer modeled behaviour for Ginsburg, Thomas and others when he acceded to numerous public and private requests to step down in 2022 at the age of 82 and having served on the high court for 28 years. Breyer clearly didn’t want to leave, but did so in the interest of insulating the court from the disappointing, fetid, partisan atmosphere that presently dominates American politics.

Similarly, Justice Anthony Kennedy stepped aside in 2020 at the age of 84 after just 20 years on the high court.

Political and ideological concerns doubtless motivated both Breyer and Kennedy, but they were able to see beyond their

own circumstances and serve what they saw as a higher good.

There’s still no evidence Thomas will follow their lead.

The fourth member of our gallery of stubborn office holders is the genuinely notorious George Santos, a first-term Republican congressman from Long Island who campaigned and won election under cover of an astounding collection of lies and misrepresentations.

Disavowed by his local Republican Party and mocked mercilessly by the mainstream media, Santos nonetheless clings to his lucrative office. Like Grassley, he has already announced his intention to seek re-election next year. Santos is able to avoid House censure because the GOP has a slim majority and Speaker Kevin McCarthy needs every vote to retain his edge.

Santos is not headline and breaking news material so much these days. He was no doubt longing for a bit of relief from the relentless disdain of the centre and left media. Still, the man seemingly cannot help himself. Just when the furor around him and his stunning mendacity was ebbing, he dropped the news of his re-election intentions.

Maybe he believes Trump’s own dictum that in public life, no publicity is bad publicity. It’s fair to say that the jury in the court of public opinion is still out deliberating on whether that will work as well for Santos as is has for Trump.

But Trump had no respect for the office he held. And as we see, he is not alone in this regrettable disregard for American government.

Dianne Feinstein’s lengthy absence due to illness from her post on the Senate Judiciary Committee is stalling President Joe Biden’s plans to install federal judges, meanwhile Iowa GOP Senator Chuck Grassley, at 89, says he will run again in 2026 when he will be 95. Both are politicians who have refuse to know when to leave the stage.

Photo: Carolyn Kaster

Photo: J. sCott aPPlewhite

Minnis: PM has ‘no clue on crime’

manufacturers accountable for the regional spread of firearms.

Dr Minnis, during a debate in the House of Assembly, criticised Mr Davis’ approach.

“After promising on the campaign trail to address the crime problem, the Prime Minister now knows he has no clue as to what to do,” he said.

“His new strategy is to shift everyone’s focus to the role of people in the United States in the trafficking of guns to The Bahamas and the wider Caribbean.

“Guns trafficking plays a part in our crime problem, but there are much bigger problems the prime minister is not tackling.

“He has been talking about this issue on Bahamian soil. Now he is abroad doing the same.

“The United States is our closest friend. It is our major trading partner. The United States does an extraordinary amount to help us with law enforcement already. It makes major donations to our police force. It helps us with training our law enforcement officers. It is a key partner in our efforts to stop drug and human smuggling. It helps us with gun trafficking and other forms of crime.

Dr Minnis said the country’s crime problem has many roots, including a failure to develop people and chronically high unemployment.

“More needs to be done to provide Bahamians with affordable and quality health care and housing,” he said. “Too many Bahamians have poor conflict

resolution skills, leading simple arguments to turn into violent confrontations.

“These are the major issues we the Bahamian people must address to

improve our country. They are all contributing factors to our crime problem. We must own this and work on fixing what is wrong within our communities.

We should continue to partner with the U.S. and other friendly nations in law-enforcement matters.

“No leader of The Bahamas should suggest that

some other country is at the heart of our problems. Guns are obviously an issue. But the greater problems are our culture of violence and the

dysfunction of our criminal justice systems. What are the prime minister’s plans to address this culture and the problems in the justice system?”

Former Pm slams Davis For not DeFenDing Bahamian juDges at recent caricom symP osium

By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net

FORMER Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis questioned why Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis did not defend the Bahamian judiciary after another Caribbean leader slammed Bahamian judges.

During a CARICOM symposium on Tuesday in Trinidad and Tobago on crime and violence,

St Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves lambasted Caribbean judges for granting bail to people charged with murder.

He said: “I saw in the numbers from The Bahamas. Where (do) those judges live? On Mars?”

Addressing the matter in the House of Assembly yesterday, Dr Minnis said: “Just at CARICOM, one of the prime ministers at the

CARICOM meeting talked about the bail in The Bahamas and the crime and that particular individual stated that … the judges in The Bahamas issuing such bail (are) contributing to the crime.

“Yet the prime minister did not defend the judiciary here in our Bahamas. Regardless to how they feel, regardless to how I may feel, if he did (address it), it was not publicised. It

was not publicised and I’m certain when (Mr Davis) speaks, (he) will address that for us.”

Yesterday, local attorney Bjorn Ferguson criticised Mr Gonsalves’ comments and said people should be more prudent when discussing the judiciary.

“For someone holding high office as Prime Minister, his comments are unacceptable and should be condemned,” he said.

minnis DemanDs Details on us - BaseD law comPany govt hireD

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune News Editor rrolle@tribunemedia.net

FORMER Prime Min-

ister Dr Hubert Minnis urged his successor to reveal how much money the government is paying a US-based law firm to help the Davis administration manage public relations issues surrounding the collapse of FTX.

The Nassau Guardian reported in December that the administration engaged Brown and Rudnick LLP to provide non-legal services.

According to the report, fees would be based on the time expended by each lawyer and other firm personnel multiplied by each person’s hourly rate.

“Brown Rudnick will apply a ten per cent fee discount to all invoices,” the letter said.

Dr Minnis said yesterday: “Will the prime minister and the government please confirm the details of this story, none of which are sub judice?

“Has this law firm or any other law firm or public relations company been hired by the Davis administration?

“What services are this firm or any other firms providing?

“How much has this cost or is it costing The Bahamas?

“The country wants to know how public funds are being spent and who is representing our country.

“Moreover, are they seeking to protect the reputations and/or offer legal assistance to any particular Bahamians, including the prime minister, the attorney general or any other of his ministers or PLP officials or donors?

“In the interest of law and order and transparency, why is the prime minister ducking questions on FTX?”

Once one of the largest cryptocurrency exchanges in the world, FTX’s US

arm filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy last year. Its Bahamas-based company is in liquidation under the oversight of courtappointed joint provisional liquidators.

FTX founder Sam

Bankman-Friend was arrested in January after the currency exchange collapsed. He faces criminal charges in the United States related to securities fraud, money laundering and campaign finance violations.

“They should not be supported, encouraged, or endorsed. The Bahamian judiciary and its judges deserve every protection from unwarranted criticism. Especially from foreign politicians who display a total disregard for our system.”

Mr Ferguson noted Mr Gonsalves was accused of raping a policewoman in 2008, a charge he was ultimately cleared of.

“The very same constitutional presumption of innocence that he relied on, that’s what these subjects of serious allegations rely on,” he said. “Also, he should have a look at the judges and what they did as

it relates to a judicial review application when they refused to institute charges against him.”

“Look at what his high judge did. So you just can’t allow them to criticize our judiciary (slackly). Our judges work extremely hard in very tough situations to hold our society together. I respect our judges and I think someone needs to be there to defend them and what they do. Unwarranted criticism, we should not accept that.”

Mr Ferguson stressed that each situation in which a person is granted bail is unique.

TEMPLE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL

2023-2024

Temple Christian High School will hold its Entrance Examination on Saturday, April 22, 2023 at the school on Shirley Street from 8:30 a.m. to 12 noon for students wishing to enter grades 7, 8, 9 and 10.

Application forms are available at the High School Office. The application fee is twenty-five dollars ($25). Application forms should be completed and returned to the school by Friday, April 21 2023.

For further information, please call telephone number: 394-4481/394-4484.

Former PM Dr Hubert Minnis criticised the Davis administration’s approach to crime and the focus on the lawsuit filed against US gun makers. “After promising on the campaign trail to address the crime problem, the Prime Minister now knows he has no clue as to what to do,” he said.

Environmentalists visit proposed RCI beach club site

EnvironmEntalists led members of the media on a visit to the site of the proposed Royal Caribbean International Royal Beach Club project located in western Paradise Island yesterday. The environmentalists are concerned about the impact the project will have on the environment.

Photos: austin Fernander

Homeowner who shot black teen Ralph Yarl pleads not guilty

Missouri

Associated Press

Walking with a cane and speaking too quietly to be heard throughout a liberty, Missouri, courtroom, 84-year-old andrew lester pleaded not guilty Wednesday in the shooting of Ralph Yarl, a black teenager who mistakenly knocked on lester’s front door looking for his younger brothers.

The shooting has attracted presidential attention and renewed national debate about gun policies as people react with shock to a 16-year-old honour student being shot first in the head, then in the arm while making a routine stop in a residential neighbourhood.

The case is among three in recent days involving young people who were shot after mistakenly showing up in the wrong places. a 20-year-old woman was killed in upstate new York when the car she was in pulled into the wrong driveway. in Texas, two cheerleaders were shot after one of them mistakenly got into a car thinking it was hers.

Yarl was shot at pointblank range in the head but miraculously survived the bullet.

Some civil rights leaders and Yarl’s family attorney, lee Merritt, have urged prosecutors to charge lester with a hate crime, with Merritt noting that “was armed only with his black skin.”

Clay County prosecutor Zachary Thompson said first-degree assault is a higher-level crime, allowing a sentence of up to life in prison, which is more than a hate-crime charge would carry. Though activists have called for the US Department of Justice to investigate, it was unclear whether it would do so.

Messages seeking comment from the department were not returned.

lester remains free after posting $20,000 — 10% of his $200,000 bond — and agreeing to relinquish any weapons and have no contact with Yarl or his family. He also agreed to have his cellphone monitored.

Yarl’s relatives were not at Wednesday’s hearing because they are emotionally exhausted, Merritt said.

lester’s attorney, Steve Salmon, did not come out of the courthouse to speak with reporters.

The shooting happened about 10 pm Thursday.

Police Chief Stacey graves said that Yarl’s mother asked him to pick up his twin brothers at a home on 115th Terrace.

Yarl, who is all-state band member as well as a top student, mistakenly went to 115th Street — a block away from where he meant to be. When he rang the bell, lester came to the door and used a .32 calibre Smith and Wesson 1888 revolver to shoot the teenager.

lester told police he lives alone and was “scared to death” when he saw Yarl on the porch because he thought someone was trying to break in, police said in court documents.

no words were exchanged before the shooting, but afterward, as Yarl got up to run, he heard lester yell, “Don’t come around here,” the statement said.

Yarl ran to multiple homes asking for help before finding someone who would call the police, according to court documents.

Merritt said the teen is hardly an imposing figure.

“The question is, at 5-8 and 140 pounds, what did andrew lester look out and see?” Merritt asked at

a downtown rally Tuesday. “and the answer is he saw a black person. and for him, that was enough justification. and that would just be a tragedy except law enforcement agreed with him.” legal experts expect lester to claim self-defence and cite Missouri’s “Stand Your ground” law, sometimes referred to as the “Castle Doctrine.” Missouri is among about 30 states with similar laws that say residents don’t have to retreat when threatened in their homes, but instead can respond with physical, even lethal force.

But Merritt said the law only applies if “someone’s on your property and they’re looking to do you harm .... We don’t have any evidence of that. The Castle Doctrine does not apply to this case.”

The shooting outraged many in kansas City and across the country. President Joe Biden spoke with Yarl on Monday, and on Tuesday invited him to the White House. no parent should have to worry that their kid will be shot after ringing the wrong doorbell,” Biden tweeted. “We’ve got to keep up the fight against

gun violence.”

Republican gov. Mike Parson, who had remained silent on the shooting until Wednesday, accused Biden of politicizing it.

“i don’t want some 16-year-old kid to be getting shot because he went to the wrong house — we just don’t want those kinds of things to happen. it’s a tragedy,” Parson told the kansas City Star. “When the president of the United States is trying to make a political statement over a very serious tragedy, it is very unfortunate.”

Thompson, the prosecutor, said Monday that there

was a “racial component” to the shooting but did not elaborate. Merritt said the Yarl family met privately with Thompson. The prosecutor said he was “echoing the words from law enforcement that obviously there’s a racial dynamic at play in this case,” said Merritt, who called the answer “shallow.” lester’s next court date is June 1.

“From this point forward, the state will be pushing to move this case forward as swiftly as legally permitted,” Thompson said in a statement after Wednesday’s hearing.

These undated photos, which were provided by Ben Crump Law on Monday, shows Ralph Yarl, the teenager shot by a homeowner in Kansas City, Mo. Photos: Ben Crump Law/AP

Sharks, Lions advance to junior girls’ volleyball championships

By TENAJH SWEETING tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

The Government Secondary Schools Sports Association (GSSSA) junior girls’ volleyball playoffs got underway yesterday at the CI Gibson Gymnasium.

The first-seeded HO Nash Lions faced off against the fourth-seeded CH Reeves Raptors in a winner advances, loser goes home playoff battle.

In the first set, both junior girl teams battled on the court for 13 minutes of volleyball action. The Lions came out on top in the first

set 17-14 in a matchup that was competitive between the two teams.

The Lions came into the second set on a mission to wrap things up. They started off 9-6 with momentum coming out of the first set against the Raptors. The fourth-seeded team got the score as close as 8-9 but the Lions were too much as they won the second set 17-11 after 22 minutes of volleyball action.

Patty Johnson, head coach of the Lions, talked about their win in this year’s junior girls’ volleyball playoffs.

“It takes pressure off you because when it’s time for

the championships, everybody wants to win, so there are no winners or losers but I think the Raptors played a much better game than they did the first time, but we are on our way to the championships and will see how it goes,” Johnson said.

She added that her message to her team was to take it one point at a time and not think about the future nor the past but the present moment. She noticed that her team was rushing a bit and mid-game gave them the message in efforts to get the win over the Raptors. With the team all set to play against the SC McPherson Sharks for the

GSSSA junior girls’ volleyball championship, Johnson will look to spread out her rotation to put the best team on the floor against their opponents. The second-seeded SC McPherson Sharks defeated the third-seeded AF Adderley Tigers to advance to the junior girls volleyball championships.

In the second matchup on the day, the Sharks and Tigers went at it in a competitive match that featured three sets between the two teams. In set one, the Sharks bested the Tigers 18-16. Both teams were poised to come out with a win against

each other as the first set started out evenly matched (5-5) before the Sharks took over.

The Sharks looked to take things home in the second set but the Tigers clawed their way back into things, dominating the set 17-12 after 14 minutes of action.

Although it looked like the Tigers would dethrone the second seeded team after set two, the Sharks won set three 15-13 after the Tigers were unable to get a serve over the net.

Da’Nai Minus, head coach of the Sharks, talked about how it felt to advance to the championships.

“It feels amazing and it’s well-deserved. These girls worked hard and have been working hard since last year so it feels really good to get this win,” Minus said. Minus said the girls started off the first set of the playoff game a bit shaky, but she encouraged them to play their game and they got it together. In set two, she noticed that they got a bit relaxed but were able to cap things off in the third.

The team is ready to take on the HO Nash Lions as the coach said the girls will look to defeat the only team to beat them in the regular season.

Woods has ankle surgery, rest of majors in doubt

By DOUG FERGUSON AP Golf Writer

TIGER Woods had fusion surgery on his right ankle yesterday morning to alleviate arthritis from a broken bone, putting in doubt whether he plays any more majors this year.

Woods disclosed the surgery on Twitter and said it was a subtalar fusion procedure to address posttraumatic arthritis from when he broke his talus bone in February 2021.

“He’s resting now and will start the recovery process,” Mark Steinberg, his agent at Excel Sports, said in a telephone interview.

The surgery took place in New York, and Steinberg said Woods has returned to his home near Jupiter, Florida, to begin rehabilitating.

As for when Woods could return to playing golf, Steinberg said there was “no timetable on this.”

“The first goal is to recover and lead a much more enjoyable day-to-day life,” he said.

Woods shattered multiple bones in his right leg and ankle in February 2021

when the SUV he was driving crashed off a suburban coastal Los Angeles road at about 85 mph and tumbled down the side of a hill.

The injuries were so severe, Woods said, that doctors contemplated amputation.

Woods has had multiple surgeries on his leg as a result of the car crash. The ankle has been causing most of the problems of late, including a noticeable limp when he played four of the last five majors, most recently the Masters two weeks ago.

The talus is the secondlargest of a group of bones known as the tarsus, which forms the lower part of the ankle joint and transmits the weight of the body from the lower leg to the foot.

The subtalar joint allows for side-to-side movement needed for walking, especially on uneven surfaces.

Most estimates put recovery from subtalar fusion at eight to 12 weeks. That would all but rule out the PGA Championship next month — Woods was doubtful, anyway, given it will be at Oak Hill in

Rochester, New York, with likely cold temperatures.

The US Open is June 15-18 at Los Angeles Country Club, and the British Open is in three months (July 20-23) at Royal Liverpool in England. Woods made an improbable return 14 months after

the car crash to play in the Masters and walked 72 holes. Remarkably, he has missed only one cut — the British Open at St. Andrews last summer — although he withdrew after three rounds of the PGA Championship last year and

he withdrew this year in the middle of the third round of the rain-delayed Masters.

Woods cited plantar fasciitis for his withdrawal from the Masters, where he tied the record by making his 23rd cut. Plantar fasciitis also was cited when he had to withdraw from his

Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas in December, which he said was caused by working too much to get ready to play.

Jason Day said at the Masters that Woods told him the reason for his withdrawal from the PGA Championship last year “was a screw went through the skin.”

Woods previously had five surgeries on his back.

That included fusion surgery on his lower spine that allowed him to return to play.

He won the Tour Championship in 2018, the Masters in 2019 for his 15th major championship and the Zozo Championship in Japan in the fall of 2019 for his 82nd career PGA Tour title, tying the career record of Sam Snead.

He has said in numerous interviews that hitting shots is not the problem, it’s walking to the next one. Woods also has said his schedule would be limited to the majors and maybe a few others, such as the 36-hole PNC Championship with his son in which he can ride in a cart.

HEAD coach Da’Nai Minus, far left, celebrates with the SC McPherson Sharks junior girls’ team after their playoff win against the AF Adderley Tigers.

Photo: Tenajh Sweeting

TIGER Woods walks on the 18th hole during the weather delayed second round of the Masters golf tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on Saturday, April 8, 2023, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Eva Hilton Primary wins all team divisions for third year in a row

By TENAJH SWEETING tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

DAY three of the Bahamas Golf Federation’s (BGF) National High School Golf Championships wrapped up yesterday in the Driving Range of the Baillou Hills Sporting Complex.

For the third year in a row, the Eva Hilton Primary School was able to secure a win in all the team divisions.

The third day of golf action featured the primary qualifiers for the public schools. The individual division included the lower primary school boys and girls and the upper primary boys and girls.

In the lower primary boys division, Liam Stubbs of Sandilands Primary came out on top with a score of 47. Second place finish in the division belonged to Eva Hilton’s Daniel Ramsay who notched a score of 55. He was also joined by schoolmate Treilon Stuart who finished one stroke behind with 56.

For the lower primary girls division, Zohalle Smith from George Town’s St Andrews scored 56 on the day. Eva Hilton’s Jamiah Miller came in second with 62. Third place finish belonged to Marlee Poitier from Palmdale Primary with 66.

Antonio Hernandez led the way for the upper primary boys division with 34.

Fellow schoolmate Yelisey Smith and TG Glover’s Deandreay Poitier tied for second place respectively with 45 apiece.

Hernandez talked about how it felt to get the win in the division.

“It feels very good that all my training and hard work has paid off because my mother and father kept telling me to practice, practice, practice,” he said.

The young golfer added that despite playing two hours in the sun, he was able to keep going and get the first-place finish.

Another Eva Hilton student brought home a first place finish at yesterday’s national high school golf championships. Alyanna Hernandez was crowned first place finisher after scoring 43.

Garvin Tynes’ Janae Philips came in second with 55 on the day. Philips was one stroke better than third place finishers Maddison Culmer from C W Sawyer and Eva Hilton’s Ri’Annah Hanna.

Amahl Henfield, one of the coaches at Fourteen Clubs Golf Academy, talked about how it felt to see his team get another win. “It’s always a blessing to see all of the school kids come out and perform, knowing that they had such a short time to prepare for the tournament they still did well,” he said.

He added that he was very impressed with the return athletes and they have exceeded his expectations in regards to pace of play and preparedness.

He is looking forward to stiff competition between the public and private schools today.

The final day of the national high school golf championships will commence at 8am today in the Driving Range at the Baillou Hills Sporting Complex.

FOR the third year in a row, the Eva Hilton Primary School was able to secure a win in all the team divisions.

THE FINAL day of the national high school golf championships begins at 8am today in the Driving Range at the Baillou Hills Sporting Complex.

THE Bahamas Golf Federation’s (BGF) National High School Golf Championships wrapped up day 3 yesterday in the Driving Range of the Baillou Hills Sporting Complex.

‘Regatta time again’

INTER ADVANCES PAST BENFICA, SETS UP MILAN SEMIFINAL IN CL

By DANIELLA MATAR AP Sports Writer

MILAN (AP) — The Milan clubs are set to meet again in another Champions League semifinal a decade after their last encounter in the final four of Europe’s elite club competition.

Inter Milan drew 3-3 against Benfica yesterday to complete a 5-3 aggregate victory over the Portuguese team.

That came a day after AC Milan prevailed against Napoli in their quarterfinal.

After Nicolò Barella’s opener for Inter, Fredrik Aursnes restored some hope for Benfica shortly before halftime.

But Lautaro Martínez and substitute Joaquín Correa netted in the second half to help Inter reach its first semifinal since José Mourinho led it

to the treble of the Champions League, Serie A and Italian Cup in 2010.

Inter nevertheless managed to relinquish a two-goal lead as António Silva and Petar Musa netted late on for Benfica.

“Obviously I am happy, and I am happy for the boys because it is an important and historic achievement,” Inter coach Simone Inzaghi said.

“We’ve come a long way, from a very, very difficult group.

“With regards to the goals, their forward did well on the second goal and on the third goal we heard a whistle and so several players stopped.

“Of course I would have wanted to have won 3-2 and I’m more disappointed for the boys but we were already through to the semifinal and there was that whistle that we heard on the bench too …

we would have deserved the win.”

The Nerazzurri will face its city rival in a repeat of the 2003 semifinal.

AC Milan won that on away goals and went on to beat Juventus in the final.

“It’s a very special match, we know what it means to play a match of this sort,” Inter forward Martínez said.

“Now we have to pick up points again in Serie A and then we’ll think about the Champions League.

“I play this sport to win everything.”

Real Madrid will face Manchester City in the other semifinal after the English team drew 1-1 at Bayern Munich yesterday to advance 4-1 on aggregate.

Both Inter and Benfica came into the match at San Siro on a poor run of form.

Inter had only won one of its past eight matches in

all competitions — the first leg in Lisbon — while Benfica had lost three straight matches for the first time since the 2018-19 season.

Inter had been criticised for not making the most of its numerous goalscoring opportunities — and had only scored two goals from open play in its past seven matches.

But the Nerazzurri took the lead with their very first chance, in the 14th minute, as Barella rode a tackle and played a onetwo with Martínez before curling a delightful effort into the top left corner.

Benfica faced an uphill task and Inter was yet to concede in the knockout stage. The Nerazzurri had the ball in the back of the net again in the 33rd minute but it was disallowed for a slight nudge by Martínez on Gilberto. Moments later, Barella did well to

acrobatically clear a cross with Benfica top goalscorer Gonçalo Ramos lurking.

However, a defensive lapse saw Benfica get back into the quarterfinal seven minutes from the break as Aursnes got in front of Denzel Dumfries to head in Rafa Silva’s cross from the right.

Buoyed by that goal, Benfica continued to press but it was Inter that scored in the 65th minute, to all but put the outcome beyond doubt.

Henrikh Mkhitaryan cut a pass in from the left to Federico Dimarco, who crossed for the easiest of finishes as Martínez prodded it into the roof of the net from point-blank range.

And Correa capped a brilliant night for Inter by curling in off the right post two minutes after coming off the bench.

António Silva headed in a free kick for the visitors with four minutes remaining to add some respectability to the scoreline, before Musa drilled through a sea of legs in stoppage time to at least end Benfica’s losing run.

“We are disappointed because I think at the start we showed that we still believed we could reach the semifinal,” Benfica coach Roger Schmidt stated.

“We started very well but after the first goal it was difficult because that makes everything even more difficult.

“I think our team showed a very good attitude today, very good focus and very good mentality … we tried to push in the second half but then we conceded a goal and I think we were also not very lucky with the decisions.”

LONG Island’s Whitty K won the Commodore Emeritus Cup race for Class C yesterday in the 67th National Family Island Regatta in George Town, Exuma. Photos by Patrick Hanna/BIS

ABACO’s It Ain’t Right finished 2nd in the Commodore Emeritus Cup race for Class C.

MAN-O-War won the Class E Ministry of Agriculture Cup race.

CAPTIAN PEG, left, finished 2nd during the Class E Ministry of Agriculture Cup race.

Bucks make 25 3s, beat Heat 138-122 without Giannis

By STEVE MEGARGEE AP Sports Writer

MILWAUKEE (AP)

— Brook Lopez scored 25 points, Jrue Holiday added 24 and the hot-shooting Milwaukee Bucks withstood Giannis Antetokounmpo’s absence while trouncing the Miami Heat 138-122 last night, tying their Eastern Conference first-round playoff series at a game apiece.

The Bucks went 25 of 49 on 3-point attempts to tie the NBA record for 3-point baskets in a postseason game. Pat Connaughton, who didn’t even play in Game 1, added a playoff career-high 22 points while going 6 of 10 from beyond the arc.

Antetokounmpo remained out for Milwaukee after leaving the Bucks’ 130-117 Game 1 loss early in the second quarter with a bruised lower back.

The two-time MVP suffered the injury on a hard fall after getting fouled late in the first period during a

drive to the basket. “We’ll continue to monitor him and expect for him to improve and still continue to be optimistic that soon he’ll be ready to play,”

Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer said before the game. The Bucks also were missing guard Wesley Matthews, who had strained his right calf in Game 1.

The Heat didn’t have Tyler Herro, who broke his right hand in Game 1 and likely won’t return this season unless Miami reaches the NBA Finals.

For at least one night, the Bucks didn’t miss Antetokounmpo at all as they capitalised on a dramatic turnaround in 3-point shooting.

In Game 1, the Bucks went 11 of 45 on 3-point attempts while the Heat were 15 of 25.

This time, the Bucks made more than half their 3-point shots in a recordtying performance.

Joe Ingles scored 17 points for the Bucks and

was 5 of 6 from beyond the arc. Khris Middleton and Grayson Allen added 16 points apiece. Bobby Portis had 13 points and 15 rebounds.

Jimmy Butler scored 25 points for the Heat, who host Game 3 on Saturday.

The Bucks initially thrived by relying on the same formula they used the last time they played a home postseason game without Antetokounmpo. They gave the ball to Lopez early and often.

Lopez, who scored just 10 points in Game 1, had 14 by the end of the first

quarter Wednesday. During Milwaukee’s 2021 title run, Lopez had scored a playoff career-high 34 points to help the Bucks beat the Atlanta Hawks 123-112 in Game 5 of the East finals while Antetokounmpo was out with a hyperextended left knee.

The success of Lopez inside opened things up for everyone on the perimeter.

Connaughton sank a 3-pointer that capped an 11-0 run to put Milwaukee ahead 62-41 with 5:29 left in the second quarter. Butler ended that spurt by making two free throws,

but the Bucks scored the next 13 points – including seven from Ingles - to grab a 32-point lead.

The Bucks led by as many as 36 in the third quarter. The Heat outscored the Bucks 37-20 in the fourth quarter to make the final score somewhat respectable.

TIP-INS

Heat: Duncan Robinson replaced Herro in the starting lineup and had 14 points. After not playing at all in Game 1, Victor Oladipo had seven points by halftime Wednesday. He finished with 15.

Bucks: Jae Crowder received a flagrant 1 foul late in the third quarter for grabbing Butler’s right leg as the Heat forward was going up for a shot near the basket.

Milwaukee had gone 11-8 in regular-season games that Antetokounmpo missed.

Lopez received the NBA Cares Community Assist award for the month of March because of his support of youth literacy.

The NBA is expected to donate $10,000 to the Milwaukee Public Library Foundation.

NO MORANT, NO PROBLEM AS GRIZZLIES TIE UP LAKERS AT 1-1

By TERESA M WALKER AP Sports Writer

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP)

— Xavier Tillman scored a career-high 22 points and had 13 rebounds, and the Memphis Grizzlies tied their first-round Western Conference series at 1-1 last night by beating the Los Angeles Lakers 103-93 with All-Star guard Ja Morant sidelined by an injured hand.

No. 2 seed Memphis sat Morant after he tested the right hand originally hurt April 7 in a win at Milwaukee and aggravated driving to the basket in the opening loss to the Lakers. He had more exams on the hand before being declared inactive and watched from the bench with his hand bandaged. Morant’s teammates more than made up for his absence. The Grizzlies led by as much as 20 and had fans waving their towels chanting “Whoop That Trick” with 30 seconds left with this series guaranteed a return to Memphis for Game 5. The Grizzlies were able to dribble out the final seconds for the win.

Jaren Jackson Jr, the NBA’s Defensive Player of the Year, scored 18 points for Memphis. Desmond Bane had 17, while Tyus Jones had 10 points and eight assists filling in for Morant. Dillon Brooks added 12 points and Luke Kennard had 13.

LeBron James led the Lakers with 28 points and 12 rebounds. Reserve Rui Hachimura had another strong performance with 20 points.

Anthony Davis struggled mightily after posting a double-double in the opener, going 4 of 14 and finishing with 13 points and eight rebounds.

The Lakers, winners of 11 of their previous 13, had a four-game winning streak snapped.

Now they head home for Game 3 on Saturday night after never leading by more than three, and that came on the first points of the game.

Memphis took control in the first quarter with a 22-8 run, with back to-back 3s in the span of 10 seconds from rookie David Roddy, then Kennard, who also drew a foul for a four-point play.

With Bane scoring 10 points, Memphis led 30-19 after the first. Jackson made his first 3 with 58 seconds left, and the Grizzlies went

into the half up 59-44 after outscoring the Lakers 29-25 in the second. Hachimura scored 11 in the third and helped the

Lakers trim a Memphis lead that reached 66-46 to 73-67. The Grizzlies finished the quarter on a 10-4 run to push the lead to

Fan suing Beal over alleged postgame incident

By NOAH TRISTER AP Sports Writer

WASHINGTON (AP) — Wizards guard Bradley Beal is being sued by a fan who claims the NBA star struck the side of his head with his hand and knocked his hat off after a March game at Orlando.

Kyler Briffa filed the lawsuit this week in circuit court in Orange County, Florida. Briffa claims he and a friend were at the March 21 game, in which the Magic beat the Wizards 122-112. The suit says fans with courtside seats were allowed to enter the team tunnel as players left the court, and that after Beal walked past, Briffa’s friend made a comment about losing a bet on the game. The suit claims Beal walked back toward Briffa and struck the side of his head, knocking his hat off.

Briffa says he told Beal he didn’t make the comment, and that the friend took responsibility and apologised, but that Beal continued the confrontation with Briffa, saying: “When you disrespect me, I’m going to press you about it. Do you think this is a joke, do you think

this is a joke, do you think this is a joke, do you think this is a joke ... because when I press you about it, what are we doing? What are we doing? What are we doing?”

The lawsuit claims Briffa “suffered emotional distress, mental anguish, fear and humiliation, pain and suffering and loss of capacity of enjoyment of life.”

The Wizards were also accused of negligence in the suit, which seeks damages exceeding $50,000. The team declined comment last night.

The alleged incident involving Beal first became news in late March, when a police case report said probable cause existed to charge Beal with simple battery. The report said the case would be filed with the local State Attorney’s Office.

According to the police report, a fan swore at Beal and accused him of causing the fan to lose $1,300 from a bet. At some point, Beal swatted a hat off the head of the heckler’s friend, police said, allegedly hitting the friend’s head. Beal said last week he’s noticed more nastiness related to sports gambling in the past few years.

83-71 going into the fourth. The Lakers never got closer than 94-88 in the final quarter on a James’ layup with 3:10 remaining. Memphis scored five straight to push it back to double digits.

TIP-INS

Lakers: They wound up outrebounded 49-47, though they matched Memphis’ scoring in the paint at 50 apiece despite being outscored there 38-20 in the first half. Austin Reaves had 12 points after having 23 in the opener. He was 5 of 12 in this game.

D’Angelo Russell had five points, shooting 5 of 11 after having 19 in Game 1.

Grizzlies: Jackson was presented his trophy as the NBA Defensive Player of the Year before tipoff. Injuries now have kept Morant out of four of the Grizzlies’ last five playoff games, dating back to last year’s conference semifinals.

X FACTOR

Tillman had more points in the first quarter than he managed in all of the opening loss. He made his first six shots before missing his seventh, a 3 trying to beat the buzzer that hit off the right rim. He finished with a season high in rebounds.

Reserve John Konchar had his moment too, going way up to block all ball on a shot by Davis in the second quarter.

BUCKS’ Jae Crowder claps during the first half of Game 2 of the team’s NBA basketball first-round playoff series against the Miami Heat last night in Milwaukee. (AP Photos/Aaron Gash)

MEMPHIS Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson Jr (13) shoots against Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis (3) during the first half of Game 2 in their first-round NBA basketball playoff series last night. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)

WASHINGTON Wizards guard Bradley Beal (3) drives around Detroit Pistons guard Rodney McGruder during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Washington on March 14. Beal says if he wanted to leave Washington, he would have made that a lot more obvious by now. He has not said anything to that effect so it appears he is ready to stay the course with the Wizards. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

BUCKS’ Joe Ingles reacts after making a shot during the first half of Game 2 last night.

Giants beat Jazz and the Marlins 5-2

MIAMI (AP) — Michael Conforto and Mike Yastrzemski hit two-run homers off Devin Smeltzer in the 11th inning, lifting the San Francisco Giants over the Miami Marlins

5-2 yesterday to stop a fivegame losing streak.

San Francisco didn’t have a hit after the fourth inning until Conforto, who pinch hit in the eighth, broke a 1-1 tie when he drove a hanging curveball from Smeltzer (0-1) over the wall in rightcenter for his fourth homer.

Yastrzemski homered on an up slider, his first home run this year off a lefthander, for a 5-1 lead.

“I was just trying to hit a ball hard somewhere, not necessarily a homer,” Conforto said. “So I’ll try to keep that approach a little bit.”

Conforto has been limited to pinch hitting the previous five games because of a left calf strain. He remained in the lineup after replacing designated hitter Darin Ruff.

“You want to be out there on the field,” Conforto said.

“When the team’s scuffling a little bit, you want to be out there that much more. It just feels good to be back on the winning side.”

Miami had won six of its previous seven games and the Marlins bullpen had pitched 20 2/3 scoreless innings

Camilo Doval (1-2) got three outs in the 10th around intentional walks to Luis Arraez and Jorge Soler.

Doval struck out Bryan De La Cruz and Avisaíl García to end Miami’s threat.

Jon Berti hit an RBI double against Sean Hjelle in the 11th. Taylor Rogers entered with two on and one out, struck out Jazz Chisholm Jr and hit Garrett Cooper with a pitch.

Rogers then retired Arraez, the big league batting champion, on a groundout for his first save this year.

Miami finished 2 for 16 with runners with runners in scoring position.

“We had our chances and the right guys up at the right time,” manager Skip Schumaker said.

Marlins starter Trevor Rogers left because of left forearm tightness after Ruff’s RBI double in the fourth put the Giants ahead.

Rogers allowed one run, three hits and one walk in three-plus innings with three strikeouts.

“I didn’t have anything extension-wise, but at the point we’re at this season,

it didn’t feel right to keep testing it,” Rogers said.

Cooper had an RBI single in the fifth against Alex Cobb, who gave up one run and five hits in five innings with eight strikeouts.

“Everybody pitched well,” Giants manager Gabe Kapler said. “We had our hiccups along the way but I thought Cobb set the tone. He threw a lot of strikes.”

NEW AGE BALK

Cobb made three consecutive throws to first as he attempted to pick off Chisholm with Cooper batting in the third. Under this

year’s new rule, the third unsuccessful throw resulted in a balk.

ROSTER MOVES

Giants: LHP Alex Wood was put on the 15-day IL because of a left hamstring strain and RHP Tristan Beck was recalled from Triple-A Sacramento. OF Cal Stevenson wac acquired from Oakland for cash and LHP Sam Long was designated for assignment.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Giants: Wood underwent imaging to determine the severity of his injury, sustained when he fielded a bunt Tuesday.

Marlins: INF Jean Segura had the day off. Segura originally was not in the lineup Tuesday because of a left pectoral issue but played.

UP NEXT

Giants: LHP Sean Manaea (0-0, 4.76) will start Thursday’s opener of a four-game home series against the New York Mets, who go with RHP Kodai Senga (2-0, 3.38).

Marlins: LHP Braxton Garrett (0-0, 3.38) will start Friday’s opener of a threegame set at Cleveland, which starts RHP Zach Plesac (1-0, 6.92).

Max Scherzer ejected for sticky stuff, says only rosin and sweat

LOS

ANGELES (AP)

— Max Scherzer was ejected in the fourth inning after the umpires’ customary check of his glove, but New York’s bullpen came through and Brandon Nimmo went 5 for 5 in the Mets’ 5-3 victory over the slumping Los Angeles Dodgers on Wednesday.

Nimmo hit a tworun homer off Noah Syndergaard (0-3) in the fifth inning, and he singled and scored on Mark Canha’s two-run double in the ninth to complete his second career five-hit game.

Five Mets relievers filled in resourcefully for Scherzer, who was furious when umpire Phil Cuzzi tossed him following the inspection of his glove. Scherzer yelled “It’s rosin!” at umpires when was ejected after three scoreless innings of one-hit ball.

Jimmy Yacabonis (2-0) pitched 2 2/3 innings of two-hit ball after getting the abrupt call to the mound following Scherzer’s ejection. Adam Ottavino got his third save.

RAYS 8,

REDS 0

CINCINNATI (AP)

— Yandy Díaz homered on the third pitch of Levi Stoudt’s big league debut to

spark a six-run first inning, and Tampa Bay improved to a major league-best 16-3.

Tampa Bay pitched its second straight shutout and has six this season, more than half the Rays total of 10 for all of last year.

Drew Rasmussen (3-1) allowed three hits and three walks in five innings with seven strikeouts.

Cincinnati dropped to a season-worst four games under .500 at 7-11 and was held scoreless in consecutive games for the first time since April 2019.

Stoudt (0-1), a 25-yearold right-hander acquired from Seattle in last summer’s trade that sent Luis Castillo to the Mariners, allowed seven runs, nine hits and one walk in four innings with three strikeouts.

GUARDIANS 3, TIGERS 2

DETROIT (AP) — José Ramírez a three-run homer off Spencer Turnbull (1-3) in the sixth inning. Detroit had won five straight after a 2-9 start Paul Quantrill (1-1) allowed four hits over six shutout innings, then left after Kerry Carpenter’s line drive hit him on a leg.

Emmanuel Clase pitching the ninth for his sixth save.

CARDINALS 14, DIAMONDBACKS 5 ST. LOUIS (AP) — Tommy Edman had a three-run homer with a career-best five RBIs and Nolan Gorman hit his first big league grand slam as St. Louis Cardinals avoided a three-game sweep. Madison Bumgarner (0-3) allowed seven runs, seven hits and four walks in three innings. The 33-yearold left-hander’s ERA rose from 7.90 to 10.26 in four starts. St. Louis set a season high for runs, scoring three or more runs in four innings.

Jake Woodford (1-2) earned his first win as a starter since last Aug. 23, allowing four runs and eight hits in five innings.

RANGERS 12, ROYALS 3 KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Jonah Heim hit a three-run homer, Marcus Semien had three hits and drove in a pair of runs. Texas won its fourth straight.

Martin Pérez (3-1) allowed three runs on eight hits over 5 2/3 innings.

Kansas City has been outscored 52-15 while losing six straight games and is 4-15 under first-year manager Matt Quatraro.

Brady Singer (1-2) allowed five runs, six hits and three walks in five innings.

PHILLIES 5, WHITE SOX 2

CHICAGO (AP) — Trea Turner hit his first home run for Philadelphia after leaving the Los Angeles Dodgers for a $300 million, 11-year contract, then singled and scored in the third and capped a two-run fourth with an RBI double. Brandon Marsh also went deep.

Taijuan Walker (2-1) gave up two runs and five hits in 6 1/3 innings, and José Alvarado pitched the ninth for his second save.

Mike Clevinger (2-1) gave up three runs and six hits in three innings as the White Sox lost for the sixth time in eight games.

PIRATES 14, ROCKIES 3 DENVER (AP) — Rodolfo Castro hit a 458-foot homer and drove in four runs as Pittsburgh completed a three-game sweep in which it outscored Colorado 33-9.

Colorado has lost eight straight games and is a National League-worst 5-14. The game drew 18,511, the smallest crowd for a Coors Field game with

unrestricted ticket sales since 18,341 on April 18, 2013.

Andrew McCutchen put the Pirates ahead in the first with an RBI double off Austin Gomber (0-4) and hit a 442-foot home run in the second as Pittsburgh took a 9-0 lead. Johan Oviedo (2-1) gave up one run and three hits in six innings.

CUBS 12, ATHLETICS 2

OAKLAND, Calif.

(AP) — Dansby Swanson scored the tiebreaking run standing up on an infield grounder to spark a four-run sixth inning, and Chicago finished a threegame sweep. The A’s have lost seven straight and at 3-16 are mired in their poorest 19-game start since the 1951 Philadelphia A’s.

Eric Hosmer hit his first home run since last July 29 for San Diego, and Patrick Wisdom had a two-run triple.

Justin Steele (3-0) struck out five in six innings, allowing two runs — one earned — and four hits.

Mason Miller made his major league debut and allowed two runs, four hits and one walk with five strikeouts in 4 1/3 innings.

PADRES 1, BRAVES 0

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Juan Soto homered off Charlie Morton (2-2) leading off the fourth, his fourth homer of the season, stopping Atlanta’s eight-game inning streak. The Braves were blanked for the first time this season.

Nick Martinez (1-1) allowed three hits in seven innings, and Josh Hader pitched the ninth for his fifth save. San Diego won for just the second time in eight games and will welcome back superstar Fernando Tatis Jr. on Thursday in the opening game of a four-game series at Arizona. Tatis finished an 80-game PED suspension on Wednesday.

BREWERS 5, MARINERS 3

SEATTLE (AP) — Eric Lauer (3-1) allowed just four hits over 7 2/3 innings as Milwaukee finished a three-game sweep, giving up Julio Rodríguez’s tworun homer in the third. Brice Turang hit a go-ahead single in a five-run seventh off Matt Brash (1-2), who relieved Marco Gonzales with two on and a 2-0 lead. Matt Bush got the final two outs for his first save this season.

NEW York Mets starting pitcher Max Scherzer, left, is ejected from the game as he and manager Buck Showalter dispute a call from umpire Phil Cuzzi, centre, and umpire Dan Bellino, right, after they found a problem with Scherzer’s glove during the fourth inning of a baseball game in Los Angeles yesterday.

(AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

MIAMI Marlins centre fielder Jasrado “Jazz” Chisholm Jr climbs the wall for a two-run home run hit by San Francisco Giants’ Michael Conforto during the eleventh inning yesterday in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)