New Category : Court

Former FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried denied bail

Tue, Dec 13th 2022, 05:27 PM

UPDATE: Former FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried has been denied bail by Chief Magistrate Joyann Ferguson-Pratt and has been remanded to the Bahamas Department of Corrections. He is scheduled to be back in court on February 8, 2023.


FROM EARLIER:

By PAVEL BAILEY

DISGRACED former FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried appeared in Magistrates Court on Tuesday before Chief Magistrate Joyann Ferguson-Pratt.

The chief magistrate is hearing arguments over the issue of Bankman-Fried’s bail after the defendant choose not to waive his right an extradition hearing.

The former billionaire faces warrants of arrest in the Southern District of New York, a federal warrant as well as a diplomatic note requesting his arrest on behalf of the US.

Bankman-Fried appeared in court in a blue suit and without handcuffs. He was brought to court on a provisional warrant which was issued Monday just before his arrest.

 

UPDATE: Former FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried has been denied bail by Chief Magistrate Joyann Ferguson-Pratt and has been remanded to the Bahamas Department of Corrections. He is scheduled to be back in court on February 8, 2023. FROM EARLIER: By PAVEL BAILEY DISGRACED former FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried appeared in Magistrates Court on Tuesday before Chief Magistrate Joyann Ferguson-Pratt. The chief magistrate is hearing arguments over the issue of Bankman-Fried’s bail after the defendant choose not to waive his right an extradition hearing. The former billionaire faces warrants of arrest in the Southern District of New York, a federal warrant as well as a diplomatic note requesting his arrest on behalf of the US. Bankman-Fried appeared in court in a blue suit and without handcuffs. He was brought to court on a provisional warrant which was issued Monday just before his arrest.

16-year-old accused of string of murders

Tue, Aug 30th 2022, 08:51 AM

A TEENAGE boy was taken to the Magistrate's Court yesterday to face charges in connection with a string of murders that occurred in the nation's capital, including last week's baby shower shooting.

 

The 16-year-old accused, who cannot be named because of his age, faced three counts of murder and five counts of attempted murder before Chief Magistrate Joyann Ferguson-Pratt. #His mother accompanied him to court. #He is accused of the shooting death of Ainsley Russell on August 12 in Redland Acres. Another man, Parnato Gibson, was also shot and injured during this incident. # On August 13, the juvenile is said to have shot and killed Meckel Bain outside his South Beach residence. # And on August 21, the boy is accused of fatally shooting Jaordly Avril at a baby shower on Stack Avenue in Nassau Village. Four other men — Perry Johnson, Tyrone Smith, Anwar Watkins and Donovan Newbold — were also hit in the crossfire during this same celebration turned nightmare. # Due to the gravity of the offences, the boy was not required to enter a plea in court. He was informed that his matter would proceed by a voluntary bill of indictment (VBI). # The teen was also told that the chief magistrate lacked the jurisdiction to grant him bail and that he would have to apply to the Supreme Court for it, as that is where his trial will be held. # Until bail is granted to him, the accused will be remanded to the Simpson Penn Centre for Boys. # His VBI will be served on December 13. # The accused is represented by Tonique Lewis.

The 16-year-old accused, who cannot be named because of his age, faced three counts of murder and five counts of attempted murder before Chief Magistrate Joyann Ferguson-Pratt.

His mother accompanied him to court.

He is accused of the shooting death of Ainsley Russell on August 12 in Redland Acres. Another man, Parnato Gibson, was also shot and injured during this incident.

On August 13, the juvenile is said to have shot and killed Meckel Bain outside his South Beach residence.

And on August 21, the boy is accused of fatally shooting Jaordly Avril at a baby shower on Stack Avenue in Nassau Village. Four other men — Perry Johnson, Tyrone Smith, Anwar Watkins and Donovan Newbold — were also hit in the crossfire during this same celebration turned nightmare.

Due to the gravity of the offences, the boy was not required to enter a plea in court. He was informed that his matter would proceed by a voluntary bill of indictment (VBI).

The teen was also told that the chief magistrate lacked the jurisdiction to grant him bail and that he would have to apply to the Supreme Court for it, as that is where his trial will be held.

Until bail is granted to him, the accused will be remanded to the Simpson Penn Centre for Boys.

His VBI will be served on December 13.

The accused is represented by Tonique Lewis.

Commissioner 'frustrated' by court system problems

Mon, Aug 15th 2022, 05:08 PM

POLICE Commissioner Clayton Fernander says he's frustrated by the court system, as he recounted how a man was out on bail within days after his arrest for possession of a weapon on two separate occasions.

 

“Very much so and this (has) not just started,” Mr Fernander said when he was asked recently if he was frustrated with the court system. “Successors, commissioners spoke about it and I will continue to speak to it.” #As a guest on Jerome Sawyer’s “Beyond the Headlines” television show last week, Mr Fernander spoke about challenges with alleged criminals and highlighted a recent situation. #“An individual was chased in a community, dropped a bag, and was able to get away. (We) found a weapon in the bag. We didn’t catch him right then,” the commissioner said. #“Later that night, we found him in the Wilson Tract area, searched him and found a weapon. So, that’s two weapons found in his possession in one single day. He was put before the court and within two days he was back out on bail. #“So, it is frustrating. We note that out of that 85 murders thus far for the year almost half of that the individuals who were killed were persons who were being monitored and out on bail for murder. That is a concern for us.” #He also said: “If you check the print media about two weeks ago there was a judge who remanded an individual who applied for bail. He was charged for murder and applied and based on information we provided to the prosecutor that if this individual is given bail either he get’s killed or if he is around his family somebody could’ve (gotten) killed. And the judge decide that he will deny bail. As I indicated he should be thanking the judge now because based on the intel that we had we note that persons were waiting for him to get bail and he would’ve been a number one target.” #Attorney General Ryan Pinder had previously said he does not believe it will be appropriate for the country to pass legislation that outright denies bail to people charged with murder given a recent Privy Council ruling that declared the matter “unconstitutional.” #However, the Commissioner suggested that in the long run the constitution will need to be looked at for a solution. #“In the long run, we may have to look at our constitution because an individual is entitled to bail. In the long run, we maybe need to look at that, but in the short term I believe that we need to appoint more judges to try and to move swiftly - swift justice I call it,” he said. #“I always commend Mrs Allyson Maynard who had that programme running - swift justice. She brought all of the stakeholders together. We had a calendar and we know what is on the agenda and we do pre-trials to make sure that the evidence lines up. If the DNA is not ready, let’s quickly go and get that so the trial would not be held up. #“Back in the day, a murder trial used to be completed in one week - but now a murder trial takes almost a month. We have to look at those instances and determine what is wrong and we need to fix it.” #Both Commissioner of Police Clayton Fernander and National Security Minister Wayne Munroe recently expressed support for keeping people charged with serious crimes in custody rather than being released on bail. #Meanwhile, Mr Fernander talked about the topic of corruption on the force. #“In recent times, I think we have a grip on it. We try to remind the officers and that’s the reason why we have those assistant commissioners in there to continue to talk to our officers even with training and all of that. So, the corruption level now within the police force you could see at a minimum, but if we do find that corruption is there you’re responsible for your own action and there will be course for that.” #He also said that he was of the view that he and Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis were both on the same page when it comes to the fight against crime. #“Yes, absolutely we are on the same page.” #As for what was his first course of action as commissioner, Mr Fernander explained: “I felt the crime situation is pretty much unacceptable at this time and I thought to bring some structure, accountability and better communication.” #The Commissioner also revealed that he indicated to senior staff that he intends to do a promotion exercise before the year is out.

“Very much so and this (has) not just started,” Mr Fernander said when he was asked recently if he was frustrated with the court system. “Successors, commissioners spoke about it and I will continue to speak to it.”

As a guest on Jerome Sawyer’s “Beyond the Headlines” television show last week, Mr Fernander spoke about challenges with alleged criminals and highlighted a recent situation.

“An individual was chased in a community, dropped a bag, and was able to get away. (We) found a weapon in the bag. We didn’t catch him right then,” the commissioner said.

“Later that night, we found him in the Wilson Tract area, searched him and found a weapon. So, that’s two weapons found in his possession in one single day. He was put before the court and within two days he was back out on bail.

“So, it is frustrating. We note that out of that 85 murders thus far for the year almost half of that the individuals who were killed were persons who were being monitored and out on bail for murder. That is a concern for us.”

He also said: “If you check the print media about two weeks ago there was a judge who remanded an individual who applied for bail. He was charged for murder and applied and based on information we provided to the prosecutor that if this individual is given bail either he get’s killed or if he is around his family somebody could’ve (gotten) killed. And the judge decide that he will deny bail. As I indicated he should be thanking the judge now because based on the intel that we had we note that persons were waiting for him to get bail and he would’ve been a number one target.”

Attorney General Ryan Pinder had previously said he does not believe it will be appropriate for the country to pass legislation that outright denies bail to people charged with murder given a recent Privy Council ruling that declared the matter “unconstitutional.”

However, the Commissioner suggested that in the long run the constitution will need to be looked at for a solution.

“In the long run, we may have to look at our constitution because an individual is entitled to bail. In the long run, we maybe need to look at that, but in the short term I believe that we need to appoint more judges to try and to move swiftly - swift justice I call it,” he said.

“I always commend Mrs Allyson Maynard who had that programme running - swift justice. She brought all of the stakeholders together. We had a calendar and we know what is on the agenda and we do pre-trials to make sure that the evidence lines up. If the DNA is not ready, let’s quickly go and get that so the trial would not be held up.

“Back in the day, a murder trial used to be completed in one week - but now a murder trial takes almost a month. We have to look at those instances and determine what is wrong and we need to fix it.”

Both Commissioner of Police Clayton Fernander and National Security Minister Wayne Munroe recently expressed support for keeping people charged with serious crimes in custody rather than being released on bail.

Meanwhile, Mr Fernander talked about the topic of corruption on the force.

“In recent times, I think we have a grip on it. We try to remind the officers and that’s the reason why we have those assistant commissioners in there to continue to talk to our officers even with training and all of that. So, the corruption level now within the police force you could see at a minimum, but if we do find that corruption is there you’re responsible for your own action and there will be course for that.”

He also said that he was of the view that he and Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis were both on the same page when it comes to the fight against crime.

“Yes, absolutely we are on the same page.”

As for what was his first course of action as commissioner, Mr Fernander explained: “I felt the crime situation is pretty much unacceptable at this time and I thought to bring some structure, accountability and better communication.”

The Commissioner also revealed that he indicated to senior staff that he intends to do a promotion exercise before the year is out.

 

Man accused of accomplice's death in botched murder scheme

Wed, Aug 3rd 2022, 09:00 AM

A MAN was remanded to the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services yesterday for the death of his accomplice in a botched murder scheme after a string of attempted murders.

 

Miguel Lewis, 26, stood before Magistrate Samuel McKinney on multiple charges. These include a single murder charge, four counts of attempted murder and four counts of possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life. #According to police reports shortly after 1pm on July 25 at Pigeon Plum Street in Pinewood Gardens, the defendant along with two other male accomplices pulled up at a residence in an orange Nissan March. #The accused and another male, later identified as 24-year-old Kendrick Lewis Jr, exited the vehicle armed with firearms with the intent to kill the man who lived there, who upon seeing them fled the scene. It was during their pursuit of the target on foot that the defendant accidently shot and killed his accomplice #Initial investigations into the incident revealed the intended target was being electronically monitored at the time and that he is currently in police custody. #Miguel Lewis is further alleged to have attempted to kill Marquin Williams, Donald Cox, Leander Cox and Randy Mackey with a firearm on that same day. The defendant would later surrender to officers of the Criminal Investigations Department at around 7pm on July 27. #In court the defendant was told his case would proceed by way of Voluntary Bill of Indictment (VBI). Lewis was further informed that he had the right to apply for bail through the Supreme Court, where his trial is slated to begin. #Until such time that Lewis is granted bail, he will be remanded to the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services (BDCS). #The defendant is expected to be served his VBI on October 11.

Miguel Lewis, 26, stood before Magistrate Samuel McKinney on multiple charges. These include a single murder charge, four counts of attempted murder and four counts of possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life.

According to police reports shortly after 1pm on July 25 at Pigeon Plum Street in Pinewood Gardens, the defendant along with two other male accomplices pulled up at a residence in an orange Nissan March.

The accused and another male, later identified as 24-year-old Kendrick Lewis Jr, exited the vehicle armed with firearms with the intent to kill the man who lived there, who upon seeing them fled the scene. It was during their pursuit of the target on foot that the defendant accidently shot and killed his accomplice

Initial investigations into the incident revealed the intended target was being electronically monitored at the time and that he is currently in police custody.

Miguel Lewis is further alleged to have attempted to kill Marquin Williams, Donald Cox, Leander Cox and Randy Mackey with a firearm on that same day. The defendant would later surrender to officers of the Criminal Investigations Department at around 7pm on July 27.

In court the defendant was told his case would proceed by way of Voluntary Bill of Indictment (VBI). Lewis was further informed that he had the right to apply for bail through the Supreme Court, where his trial is slated to begin.

Until such time that Lewis is granted bail, he will be remanded to the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services (BDCS).

The defendant is expected to be served his VBI on October 11.

 

Judiciary honours departing Moree

Tue, Aug 2nd 2022, 12:00 PM

Fringe group calls for executions

Thu, Jul 28th 2022, 04:23 PM

Two accused of robberies

Thu, Jul 28th 2022, 06:00 AM