Dr. Gerald Forbes

Dr. GERALD Forbes was described as “a wolf disguised in sheep clothing” by the prosecution during closing arguments in the Supreme Court in Grand Bahama on Friday.

“We must expose him,” Erica Kemp told the jury of four women and five men. “This is a case where a trusted healer breached the trust of his patient/employee,” she said, referring to the alleged indecent assault and rape of a 20-year-old woman at his clinic in February and March, 2015.

Osman Johnson, Dr. Forbes’ lawyer, on the other hand, described the 46-year-old doctor as a man who is being “robbed” of his career and a medical practice he has worked to build because of lies concocted by the virtual complainant.

“I can’t imagine the nightmare the doctor is going through,” he said. “His career is finished, his medical practice is finished and he is broke and destitute.”

The jury first heard from Mr. Johnson, who delivered a fiery and lengthy closing address. He noted that the two charges against his client are very serious, and that Dr. Forbes is under no obligation to prove his innocence. The doctor, he said, is innocent until proven guilty and that the burden is on the prosecution to provide evidence in support of what is being alleged.

It is alleged that in February, 2015, while at his Carico Medical Clinic, Dr. Forbes rubbed the complainant’s vagina and masturbated while performing a physical exam, and that in March he allegedly had sex with the woman without her consent while performing a medical abortion procedure.

On March 16, Dr. Forbes was arrested at his clinic in the Professional Plaza on Pioneer Way.

Mr. Johnson delivered a fiery and lengthy closing address, noting the seriousness of the two charges and arguing that there is no evidence in support of the charges. There is no DNA or forensic evidence, no corroboration by any medical reports or witness statements that the complainant was raped and indecently assaulted, he said.

By Denise Maycock, Tribune Freeport Reporter

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