Experts need to look at the real tragedy in Lyford Cay with Nygard’s Neighbour…. Dan Tuckfield was also believed to have been murdered. His remains were cremated and shipped out of the country before a murder investigation could be had. WHY? Nassau, Bahamas — Save the Bays, the group now seeking to Topple the Christie Government, has hired some “Paid” expert to suggest that what has happened in Lyford Cay at the world famous property of Nygard Cay is a “tragedy”. Rachael Silverstein, the Waterkeeper for Biscayne Bay, Florida, the Paid expert hired by Fred Smith ‘dem’, said, “I’ve never seen anything quite like Nygard Cay before.” Clearly Rachael Silverstein is misguided, misinformed, misdirected and mistaken with her concerns. What she should really find as a tragedy in Lyford Cay is how Mr. Nygard’s neighbour was allowed to bring into the Bahamas illegal military speakers to the annoyance and danger to the safety of the country without proper authorization. What Ms Silverstein should find as a horrendous tragedy is how on the property of Nygard’s neighbour a dead man could be found in a pool with knee high deep water – dead as a rooster – and the matter never properly investigated, the body cremated and shipped out of the country before a proper investigation could be done! And what Ms Silverstein should question was how did Peter Nygard’s neighbour cut deep into the rocks of Lyford Cay without a permit at the time of construction, and build a boat basin to do whatever he pleases to the annoyance of authorities. The real tragedy in Lyford Cay is the fact that someone wants Peter Nygard’s land and they appear as if they will move heaven and earth to take it. But that ain’t ga happen. We report yinner decide!  Read More →

BREAKING NEWS HAPPENING NOW >>> Police are treating this as a suspicious death and BP wants to talk with the husband! Palm Bay hotel manager 28-year-old, Latovia Tovie Deveaux-Vincent found dead this morning. Exuma Bahamas — Police are at this hour gathering on the island of Exuma to examine the body of a woman who was found dead in her villa early this morning. BP agents on the ground tell us the female was the manager at the Palm Bay Resort on the island and was not suffering from any known illness at the time of her death. GET THIS: Police we can tell you are treating this incident as a suspicious death. BP’s preliminary investigations tell us something serious went down with this death as the deceased whose marriage didn’t last a year. She was found dead and we have opened a criminal investigation! The female manager we have since learned is 28-year-old, Latovia Tovie Deveaux-Vincent. She had recently married an abusive foreign male and had a court matter this month on the 7th of January! Police we know will quickly get to the bottom of this! Rest eternal grant unto her O-Lord! AMEN!!! We report yinner decide!  Read More →

BP is reporting a homicide on Grand Bahama this morning! This is a file photo and is not the actual photo of the incident now under investigation. Hawksbill, GB — BREAKING NEWS coming out of the Grand Bahama community this morning is reporting a fatal stabbing incident of an elderly man by a believed to be mentally ill patient. BP agents now on the ground in the Bimini Place area of Hawksbill Grand Bahama tell us the unstable young man was a relative of the old man. While details are sketchy, we can tell you the suspect is now in custody and is believe to have been mentally challenged at the time of the incident. Pray for the family.  Read More →

file photo Nassau, Bahamas — Police from the Traffic Department are investigating a traffic accident that has left one man dead and three others injured last night. According to reports, shortly after 11:00pm, a 1999 vehicle was traveling eastbound on Coral Harbor Road, when the driver lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a large Palm Tree at the Coral Harbour roundabout. The impact caused the car to burst into flames, trapping the male driver and two male passengers along with one female passenger inside. Good Samaritans who saw the accident were able to pull the four persons from the wreckage, however the driver succumbed to his injuries at the scene and the three passengers were transported to hospital where they remain in serious condition.  Read More →

Accused asked judge who are the persons she conspired with? Daphanie Knowles, 47, was arraigned in the murder of Andrea Caroll of Long Island. Photo by Tribune242.com Nassau, Bahamas — The long arm of the law has caught up with a woman this time in the death of Andrea Carroll from Long Island. You would remember how we reported Carroll, a webshop employee, was found tied and dead in her home. Bahamas Press can now report yesterday, Daphanie Knowles, 47, stood before Chief Magistrate Joyann Ferguson-Pratt accused of murder charge under section 291 (1a) of the Penal Code chapter 84. Knowles’ charge could deliver a penalty of death if she is found guilty. She stands accused of the horrid incident, which played out on Long Island on November 28 and 29, 2014. Andrea Carroll was discovered in her home; bound hand and feet. Prosecutors alleged that Knowles, along with others, for some 58 days, conspired together to rob Carroll of some $68,000, which belonged to Bowe’s Web Games Ltd. The accused looking confused as the charges were being read before her asked the Magistrate, “Ma’am, who I conspired with and where’s the money I supposedly took from her?” Knowles will again appear in the Magistrates Court on March 31 for the case to be forwarded to Supreme Court. She was remanded to prison, however, was advised that she can apply for bail in the Supreme Court. We report yinner decide!  Read More →

Deputy Prime Minister Philip Brave Davis. Urban Renewal 2.0 Director on Grand Bahama Ms. Michelle Reckley along with DPM Davis in Pine Ridge. FREEPORT, Grand Bahama – Deputy Prime Minister and Minister responsible for Public Works and Urban Development, the Hon. Philip Davis, on Friday urged young men to ‘make a change’ in their lives so that they may fulfill their roles in the growth and development of the country. The Deputy Prime Minister was the guest speaker at the Urban Renewal Mental Health Seminar for Young Men at the Pine Ridge Urban Renewal Centre. He said he was pleased to be in Grand Bahama, and it is particularly pleasing when he comes because of young people. “I have been advised that the staff of Urban Renewal has a particular concern for Pine Ridge. They have made certain observations – young men skipping school, just hanging around, and waiting to purchase another ‘fix’. In other words, our young men, those we depend on to be the foundation of good families, are headed down the wrong road. It is cause for grave concern.” The Department of Statistics, said the Minister, recently released results for its Labour Force Survey and for Grand Bahama there was a decrease in the number of discouraged workers at 55%. “We are resolutely moving ahead to bring relief to those most in need; and the numbers tell us that you, the young, are those most in need.” In speaking with a group of young engineers last year, said the Deputy Prime Minister, he said he challenged them as he was challenging the young men present. “Hard times come with opportunities. I challenge you to allow hard times to inspire you and drive you to seek new and innovative ways to use the diverse gifts and talents that God has given to each of you. Do not waste them.” He said that the engineers were once uncertain about their future, just as they are, and just as he (the DPM) was. “I came from humble beginnings. Back then, I never even dreamed that I would be the man that I am today. Hard work and opportunities helped me along the way. Most importantly, though, it was my willingness to embrace change that saw me through life’s twists and turns. “Today, I invite you to begin to look at the world and yourselves differently. Our country’s very survival depends on you. That is a difficult thought — to have so much responsibility rest with you. However, it is an essential part of becoming a man — a leader — a nation-builder.” Speaking with them based on personal experiences, Mr. Davis said, “If we are honest, each of us has something that we want to change about us. Think about what you really want to change. Maybe you already know it. It could be something in your social life, your family situation, or your living conditions. Take time to focus on these things because if you really want change, if you really want something, it becomes so much easier to keep motivated. I encourage you to write these things down so that they stay with you. “Then, I encourage you to choose one thing or a habit to focus on for now – just one! You may have several things or several bad habits, but start simple – just one – so that you have a better chance of succeeding. Changing three things at once requires lots of time and energy. An example for me is choosing to walk for health at least five times a week. Walking is not the only thing that I would need to do, but it is a step in the right direction.” He continued, “Taking small steps is very important. One step at a time, one day at a time gets you by the feeling that something is too big or too difficult. That feeling is one of the most common things to hold people back from taking action at all. Take for instance, if you want to be a lawyer, you have to first finish school. To finish school, you have to study. If you take the time to study, it makes better sense to go to school every day and finish. “Sometimes, the plan in your head or on paper is harder to execute when you act or when you may not move as fast as you thought. I encounter this every day of my life. But taking one day at a time has been immensely helpful. Young people call that living to live another day.” Deputy Prime Minister Davis then quoted Ecclesiastes 11:4 that warns against procrastination. Not having the complete picture is no excuse for inactivity, and added that Solomon encourages people to move as the good things God has to offer will not come to those who waiver. He urged them to just do it. “It is very easy to get stuck in planning – planning the plan. Sometimes, you do not have time to plan, because that too is time wasted. Get moving and keep the ball rolling. Procrastination – putting things off for tomorrow – is the biggest thief of time. Today is your only promise. Start now. Do what you need to do to rise above your challenges by just taking one small and practical step towards what you want today.” Everyone has a part to play in the development of the nation, no matter how young or old. The Bahamas, he said, is not a rich country but neither is it poor. While the country does not have all that it wants, it has all that it needs and it also has more than most, and for this, the people of The Bahamas should be grateful. In closing, Deputy Prime Minister Davis said, “We are counting on you to become successful individuals, responsible citizens and effective contributors to our communities. You will play a leading role in building the more successful Bahamas we all want for the future. As a Government, we commit to supporting you through the challenges of adolescence and the transition into adulthood. Because of you, The Bahamas will be smarter, healthier, wealthier, fairer, safer and stronger.” It was then that he focused on Michael Jackson’s hit ‘Make a Change’ and used to lyrics to make his point. By looking at the man in the mirror it means if you are going to make a change, it must begin with you. “The march to the future begins now. It begins with the ‘man in the mirror’.” Brave Davis speaks to Urban Renewal Mental Health Seminar for Young Men  Read More →

REMARKS UPON THE OPENING OF LEGAL YEAR 2015 Madam Allyson Maynard-Gibson QC - Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas - Nassau Guardian File Photo. The Honourable Allyson Maynard Gibson, Q.C. Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas January 14, 2015 May it please Your Lordship: May I note that Justices Ian Winder and Deborah Fraser have joined the Bench and thank Justice Claire Hepburn has retired? We thank her for her service. I also note the presence of the President of the Court of Appeal, Mrs. Anita Allen and other Justices of Appeal. This week marks the second time that we, Citizens of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, commemorate Majority Rule Day with a National Holiday. My Lord, with your leave, I reflect upon the responsibilities that we inherited when we secured Majority Rule. Through liberty, we accepted the challenge of hard work, enterprise and commerce, so as to secure prosperity for future generations and their loved ones. We took as our duty to safeguard the security of our brothers and sisters in Bahamian citizenship, such that they might enjoy the fruits of prosperity. And we vouched for justice to all Bahamians, meaning to ensure that any crime against our God-given freedoms was remedied with the appropriate sentence. To embrace Majority Rule, therefore, was to understand and in fact deem with the deepest conviction that – in the words of British Prime Minister William Gladstone – “justice delayed is justice denied”. In the wake of recent attacks against these democratic values in Paris, these ideas are as vitally important today as they were in 1967. The Bahamas – like so many of its fellow democracies – must never stop striving to fulfill the promise of its Freedom. My Lord – as I thank Hos Grace Archbishop Patrick Pinder for hosting the Bench and Bar at the Red Mass this past Sunday and His Lordship Bishop Laish Boyd and Dean Patrick Adderley for this morning hosting us at the Service for the Opening of the Legal Year, I thank them for reminding all of us upon whom our Legal system relies that we in particular have a special obligation to ensure that our nation never regresses in the face of challenges to our freedoms and our safety. We must work to create a safer and better Bahamas for our children and our grandchildren. If it please your Lordship, I would therefore like to take a moment to discuss how we are working to achieve this through our Swift Justice initiative. Only through communication, cooperation and collaboration can we succeed. Each of us has a responsibility to communicate, cooperate, and collaborate to ensure Swift Justice and work towards a better Bahamas – a safer, more secure Bahamas where justice rolls down like a river and righteousness like an ever flowing stream. By now, your Lordship, we know all too well the obstacles which were severely maligning our justice system: __Witnesses who do not turn up for trial; __Evidence that is not ready for trial; __Transcripts that are not ready for trial; __Scheduling conflicts for defence counsel; and __Difficulties in empaneling juries. Postponement of trials due to these issues leads to delays, backlogs and applications for bail. We know that serious offenders released on bail frequently violate their bail conditions and there is significant risk they will commit further crimes, interfere with and intimidate witnesses, and compromise ongoing investigations. This exacerbates fear of crime and creates cynicism about the administration of justice. That is why, in 2012, we reinstated the Swift Justice initiative. Swift Justice brings together stakeholders in the administration of justice at regular meetings so that through communication, cooperation and collaboration, focus can be brought to bear on ensuring that trials occur when they are set. I must tell you that Swift Justice is showing promising results. Things are moving in the right direction, and we are making this progress within our existing resources. Old cases are being thoroughly reviewed and prepared. Communication, cooperation and collaboration between the Office of the Attorney General and stakeholders has led to excellent outcomes -utilizing existing resources. Allow me to share a few concrete examples: __The time required to present a Voluntary Bill of Indictment(VBI) from laying of charges has decreased by 460% – from 344 days before October 2012 to 78 days, as of 31 December 2014; __The number of cases disposed of by the Supreme Court heard has increased from 118 in 2012 to 200 in 2014, which is almost double; __Supreme Court trials in 2014 yielded 54% guilty and 46% not guilty verdicts. Trials for murder and murder-related offences in 2014 resulted in 51% guilty verdicts and 43% not guilty verdicts. No one is charged in a serious offence unless the Office of the Attorney General signs off that there is cogent and admissible evidence likely to lead a reasonable jury to convict AND that everything that can be on the case file prior the charge is on the case file. This means that once a VBI is served we are prepared for the matter to be set down for trial. The Courts are also using new technology to efficiently and effectively manage time and processes, again through communication, cooperation and collaboration, at all levels of our justice system. For instance __Bails, remands, and case management can now done by videoconference, with only those whose physical presence is required appearing in court; and __Evidence is being received by videoconference – from Family Islands, Nassau and abroad. These new initiatives save money and time so our security forces and legal system have more resources to address the backlogs; as well as to confront current challenges on the streets. Analysis of Supreme Court bail applications from January to December 2014 is also instructive. __Of applications for murder and related offences - 55 were granted or varied and - 97 denied, revoked or dismissed. __Of applications for armed robbery and related offences - 70 were granted or varied and - 51 were denied, revoked or dismissed. __Of applications for possession of a firearm or related offences -36 were granted or varied and - 13 were denied or dismissed. My team and I have held important strategic meetings with the police, and significant decisions have been made to address the perception of a revolving door on bail, especially those involving the use of firearms. We shall continue to collate statistics and report on what we expect to be significantly different outcomes as a result of these strategic decisions. I thank the Commissioner of Police for his leadership and cooperation in this thrust. In 2012 we identified four “escape routes” that prevented matters coming to trial in a timely manner: __Unavailability of transcripts __Inability to empanel juries __Calendaring conflicts __Lack of defence counsel In fact, of the 43 delayed trials we’ve studied in the past year to determine the key factors contributing to the problem, we’ve been able to ascertain that 47% did not proceed because of the inability to empanel a jury; 21% did not proceed because the virtual complainant refused to pursue the matter; 16% did not proceed because defence counsel was not available to appear in court; and another 16% did not proceed because the defendant was unable to secure counsel. It is often said that awareness is the first step to recovery – and this is most certainly the case in relation to the primary causes of trial delays. So, while identifying these causes does not in and of itself solve our problem, it is fair to say that the deep understanding we now have of this challenge will allow us to develop effective policies to address it. The court reporting unit has been revamped and new processes implemented; amendments to the Juries Act are expected to aggressively address empanelment issues; the Public Defender Unit should address defence counsel issuesand the integrated justice calendaring system together with hands on management of the process by judges should address defence counsel calendaring conflicts. On the matter of the Public Defender Unit, as I acknowledge the presence of the President of the Court of Appeal and other Justices of Appeal, let me thank her for her persistence in her call for a Public Defender Unit. I thank the Prime Minister for his commitment to Swift Justice. The Executive has provided5 new state of the art courts; also, internet access, videoconferencing and the capacity to project digital images in almost all of the courts. And I thank the judges for using these facilities. I also thank our partners the United States of America represented here today by Deputy Chief of Mission Ms. Lisa Johnson, the Commonwealth Secretariat and the Interamerican Development bank. It is clear that these tools, which are a part of Swift Justice, along with the principles of communication, cooperation and collaboration that guide our work under this initiative, are making a positive impact on administration of justice. In January 2014 we set a target of 270 matters to be disposed of in the Supreme Court. We believe that but for the aforementioned lost days, that target would have been met. My Lord, in 2015 we will continue to enhance Swift Justice initiatives. __We will complete introduction of digital recording in the Magistrates’ Court. __We will bring swift justice to the magistrates’ Court by a targeted focus on revamping administration and processes. __We will provide the resources and legal framework for a family court; community courts; and an environmental court. __Increased focus will be brought to bear on the civil side of administration of justice. __We will revamp the Office of the Attorney General in the Northern Bahamas. __We will ask the Inner Bar to formalize the manner in which they will make pro bono contributions. __And we will enhance public awareness including public reporting on Magistrates’ Court decisions. It is clear that we are expanding the number of courts we have operational, and improving efficiencies in our existing courts. This month alone, criminal trials will be held in 8 courts, and it is expected that criminal trials will commence in 10 courts in March 2015. My Lord, by further increasing communication, cooperation and collaboration we hope to dispose of over 350matters before the Supreme Court in 2015. This will have a significant impact. I believe if we work together on Swift Justice, our country’s “war on crime” will eventually be victorious so that together we can honour the sacrifices of our ancestors who fought for the freedom and democracy we all enjoy – the same freedom, democracy and security we want to bequeath to generations to come. My Lord with your permission I wish to acknowledge the presence of and thank the Team at the Office of the Attorney General, led by Antionette Bonamy, Garvin Gaskin and Cynthia Gibbs and our Consultants Loren Klein, Cleopatra Christie and Bernis Pinder for their tireless hard work, dedication and patriotic service in pursuit of justice. My Lord, I have known you for almost 50 years. I trust that your Lordship will regard this admission as expert qualification to speak about the Lord Chief Justice. Your Lordship is from a family dedicated to public service. Your Father, the late Arthur Barnett Sr. CMG, was honoured by Her Majesty the Queen for a lifetime of public service, including as Deputy to the Governor General. I am sure that he would be very proud of his son’s achievements, including those as Attorney General and Chief Justice. I would also like to honour and acknowledge his public service in being a family man and father figure. He and your Mother, Mrs. Beryl Barnett, here today, mentored a family larger than their own 9 children. Your life journey, including your service to your beloved Catholic Church, especially as its Chancellor, prepared you for this moment in history. As well as having considerable intellectual prowess, legal acumen and a deep and abiding love of the law, you have always had a keen sense of Justice. I will not abuse the time allotted to me traversing the many landmark Judgments delivered by you. For decades they shall speak for themselves. Rather, I acknowledge that the successes of which I spoke are in no small measure due to our commitment to the same vision. As friends and colleagues, we never differed on the goal of efficiency and fairness in the administration of justice. There are many accomplishments and qualities for which the nation can thank you. Today I will focus on those once enumerated by the former Lord Chief Justice of the United Kingdom, Baron Bingham of Cornhill. On behalf of the Executive and in turn the people within our borders who stand under the protection of the Courts, I thank you My Lord Chief Justice, Sir Michael Barnett, for your dedication in patiently ascertaining the oft times unclear facts in matters before you; your intellect in developing and making law; and your humble and God fearing approach in the exercise of your judicial discretion. We also thank your family – including your dear wife Lady Barnett, your children Michaela and Viola (counsel of this Honourable Court) and your Mother [all here today] for allowing you to sacrificially serve our Bahamaland as Chief Justice. I paraphrase the Psalmist, Long may you live! May gold be given you. May people ever pray for you and bless you all day long. My Lord, I thank you for your support of the principles Swift Justice which continue to undergird the Justice, Safety, Freedoms, Christian Values and the Rule of Law for which our forefathers so greatly sacrificed and which we celebrate today. I continue to be humbled by the responsibilities of the Attorney General. I am excited to come to work every day. I pledge my support and that of my Team at the Office of the Attorney General to continued and enthusiastic pursuit of justice and service of the Bahamian people – and through them, Almighty God. May he abundantly bless our pursuits in 2015 and always. —END–  Read More →

NASSAU, The Bahamas – Her Excellency Dame Marguerite Pindling, Governor General, centre, hosted a dinner in honour of the Anglican Archbishop of the West Indies the Most Reverend Dr. the Hon. John Holder, third right, January 24. Present also were from left: Mrs. Bernadette Christie, Prime Minister the Rt. Hon. Perry Christie, the Anglican Bishop of the Bahamas and Turks and Caicos Islands the Right Reverend Laish Boyd, and Mrs. Joann Boyd. (BIS Photo/Peter Ramsay)  Read More →

A new man is headed to the top of the Supreme Court! Praise GOD! Justice Hartman Longley Nassau, Bahamas — A man who is known to send criminals deep into the bowels of the prisons for the rest of their natural lives, Justice Hartman Longley is expected to take the seat at the country’s new Chief Justice! Bahamas Press teams on Grand Bahama have just been informed of the great news which confirms Justice Longley will take the oath of office at Government House on Monday, Feb. 2nd at 10am. Dame Marguerite Pindling will do the honours before members of the beach and the executive. BP marks the occasion as a national event and we know Justice shall be delivered for the Bahamian people! Mr. Longley comes from a decent heritage. He is a contemporary of that first generation of Bahamian lawyers trained in the University of the West Indies legal training system. He is a success by any measure, and he has shown a capacity to be humane and dispassionate in his judgments at the Supreme Court level, and, most importantly, in his courtroom manner. We know he will help to improve the reputation of the Court in terms of the civility and treatment officers of the court. Bahamas Press sounds our glad hosannas and praise to GOD following today’s news. To Justice Hartman Longley and his most decent family we sound our glad and glorious CONGRATULATIONS! Hallelujah!!!!! We report yinner decide!  Read More →

Robinhood is better than ever! PRAISE GOD!!! Incredible prices at Robinehood's 'Everything Must GO'! Dear Editor, God always makes a way out of no way and VAT has proven to be a blessing in disguise. Since the holidays a close friend had told me to drop SuperValue like a hot potato and come to the east and pay a special visit to Robinhood’s newly opened store on Prince Charles Drive – “Everything Must Go!” I was reluctant to pay that visit after she noted how Bahamians were up there fighting over corn flakes. But finally after taking enough of Supervalue’s nasty abuse on my pocketbooks I decided to visit the new store and to my surprise the prices were incredible. Fruits and vegetables fresh from the garden and dirt-cheap. I saw people taking away whole boxes of Pineapples, which sold for $2.79 each. INCREDIBLE! Strawberries which sold in other stores for almost $9 were being sold for $2.74. INCREDIBLE! Blueberries were for $3.25. UNBELIEABLE! Fruits and vegetables, which usually take more than a quarter of my grocery bill, were significantly reduced. And then there were a dozen eggs, sold for $2.19. INCREDIBLE! Nowhere in all of New Providence can you find such fresh, name brand produce for pennies on the dollar. All I say is this: MY GOD WORKS IN MYSTERIOUS WAYS – and in HIM – there are wonders to perform! Thank YOU LORD! Robinhood is back and the other stores soon close down! AMEN!!! Signed, Carla Basden  Read More →