标签： Bahamas

A high-ranking officer from the Royal Bahamas Defence Force (RBDF) has been issued a notice of intended prosecution following allegations of assault and abandonment involving a marine. Commodore Floyd Moxey disclosed on Friday that a Senior Lieutenant is among those implicated in the case, which centers on Able Mechanic Marvaughn Miller’s claims of being physically assaulted aboard HMBS Kamalamee in June 2024. Miller alleges he was punched, kicked, and placed in a headlock during separate incidents, resulting in lost teeth and bruises. Moxey confirmed that two or three other marines are also being charged in connection with the matter. The Senior Lieutenant, due to his rank, will face a court-martial as mandated by the Defence Act. Moxey emphasized his confidence in the investigative process, citing his extensive experience within the RBDF’s legal system. Miller, who has reportedly been issued a gag order, was the only officer initially charged internally. The case has drawn attention due to the presence of a senior Cabinet minister’s son on the vessel, though Moxey clarified he was unaware of any involvement by the minister’s son, who served as the craft’s executive officer. The incident has raised concerns about discipline and accountability within the RBDF.

A tragic incident unfolded yesterday near Robinson Road when a man was discovered dead from gunshot wounds following a vehicle collision outside the Early Bird supermarket. Authorities were alerted to the scene around 4:45 PM by an anonymous tip. Upon arrival, police found the unresponsive victim inside a purple Nissan Cube. Investigators suspect the man, believed to be in his late 20s, was shot at a separate location and lost control of his vehicle while attempting to flee. CCTV footage from the vicinity is currently under review to aid the ongoing investigation. Inspector Gerard Culmer, speaking at the scene, confirmed that the shooting did not occur at the supermarket but rather elsewhere, with the victim crashing into another vehicle in the parking lot. The identity of the deceased remains unknown, and it is unclear if he had any prior interactions with law enforcement. When questioned about a potential link to a mass shooting in August that resulted in multiple casualties, Inspector Culmer could not confirm but mentioned an increased police presence in the area. This incident marks the 67th homicide recorded in the country this year, according to The Tribune’s records.

A 46-year-old man, Kino Wood, broke down in court as he described a harrowing ordeal after trespassing on a property in Sandilands Village on October 15. Wood, who works with the Urban Renewal Programme, claimed he entered the property to deal with a family emergency, citing heavy rain and a delayed bus as reasons for taking a shortcut. However, he alleged that the property owners subjected him to a brutal assault, including being hog-tied, beaten, and stomped on the chest. Wood also claimed his boots and clothes were removed and thrown across the road. He showed the court bruises and a bump on his head, recounting how he feared for his life during the incident. Wood denied stealing $5.50 from the complainant’s car, insisting it was his own money for bus fare. Prosecutor Kendrick Bauld disputed Wood’s account, stating the complainant saw him searching her vehicle and called the police, who found him at the scene and arrested him after discovering the missing money. Wood, who pleaded guilty to the theft charge, expressed remorse and vowed to change his life. Magistrate Abigail Farrington placed him on two years’ probation, warning that further offenses could result in a $50 fine for trespassing and a three-month prison term for theft.

A devastating double tragedy has struck a family in Eleuthera, Bahamas, after 58-year-old Ferde Julien, a father of four, was killed in a car crash on Friday night, just weeks after the death of his wife. The incident occurred on Queen’s Highway when Julien, reportedly returning home after socializing, collided with a tree. Police discovered him unresponsive and severely injured in his extensively damaged vehicle. His nephew, Ervin Bain, described the loss as a profound blow to the family, who were still grieving the recent passing of Julien’s wife. ‘The loss of two parents is something many people have never experienced, making the coping process incredibly difficult,’ Bain told The Tribune. Julien, a carpenter originally from Haiti, had moved to Eleuthera five years ago for work and had aspirations of purchasing land to build a home for his family. He was known for his quiet, loving nature and deep devotion to his family. The crash has raised concerns about road safety in the area, with family members citing poor road conditions and inadequate street lighting as potential contributing factors. The family plans to meet with police officials to seek further clarity on the circumstances of the accident. This tragedy marks the 51st traffic fatality in the country this year, according to The Tribune’s records.

The Bahamas government is intensifying efforts to finalize draft legislation aimed at addressing the escalating tensions between landlords and tenants, as soaring rents and mounting complaints from both parties continue to strain the housing market. Housing Minister Keith Bell revealed that the proposed reforms seek to strike a delicate balance between protecting tenants’ rights and ensuring landlords’ interests are safeguarded. Speaking to reporters, Bell highlighted the growing concerns over sudden rent hikes, electricity disconnections, and tenants refusing to pay rent or denying landlords access to their properties. He also emphasized the government’s worry about individuals living in unsafe or uninhabitable conditions, which could further burden the Department of Social Services if left unaddressed. Bell stressed the need for landlords to maintain habitable premises while ensuring tenants fulfill their obligations. The push for reform comes as housing affordability becomes a pressing issue, with families increasingly squeezed by high rental costs and stagnant wages. A recent IMF report revealed that rents in The Bahamas surged by 14% between 2012 and 2022, while average wages grew by a mere 2%, disproportionately affecting low-income households. The government’s review of the Rent Control Act aims to modernize the law and address enforcement gaps that have left both landlords and tenants frustrated. Bell also addressed the rise in homeowners converting properties into Airbnbs, noting that the Ministry of Finance and the Department of Inland Revenue are closely studying the issue due to mounting complaints about covenant breaches in residential communities. He assured that the draft legislation is being meticulously scrutinized to ensure enforceability, with magistrates involved in the process. Despite delays, Bell expressed confidence that the final product will be fair to all parties. Additionally, he shared updates on the government’s compulsory land acquisition program, revealing that properties have already been acquired in Englerston, Bain and Grants Town, and Freetown, with plans to take over approximately ten more lots on Charles Vincent Street. These properties are intended for affordable housing initiatives, with some owners expressing interest in partnering with the government to rehabilitate their properties.