Posted By: Disgruntled Exumian, sick of the foolishness On: 9/30/2009

Title: RESPONSE TO Us Reporter: U cant be serious!

From my initial post, "EVERYONE NEEDS TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE; IT'S NOT ONLY RBPF, BUT ALSO THOSE AT THE MORGUE THAT NOTICE THE CONFLICTING STORIES AS IT RELATES TO THE POLICE REPORT AND THE AUTOPSY!" I agree with Michelle C. S-S, because it's quite clear that you don't seem to be reading and processing the information posted. It is one thing if you don't understand the lingo, but to make Bahamians seem uneducated is another. You may need a refresher course, especially if you're responsible for reporting international stories; and while you're at it, you may want to study the lingo of all the places you seem so interested in before making such an asinine comment!

Posted By: Michelle C. S-S On: 9/30/2009

Title: Are you SERIOUS!!

US Reporter… YES WE ARE SERIOUS are U ? A lot can also be learned from “US Reporters” who sit, read and study the mentality of a typical Bahamian. It is my observation just from studying your comments that Bahamians like all other right thinking civilized people simply want justice in the face of injustice. None of the statements that I have read indicate that the bloggers wand the police to determine the cause of death. I guess critical thinking was not one of your journalism courses…hmmm! Yes a medical examiner is “supposed “ to determine the cause of death in the event a proper autopsy is conducted and the examiner is not influenced by the police report and its “findings” Of course if it was an outright gunshot wound; the newest rookie would be able to determine that. Not sure which posts you are reading to make you “think” (THINK being the catch word) that some Bahamians are not so smart… the out cry is for justice to be done as it relates to the proper investigation; lets go again I N V E S T I G A T I O N…gat it ? Good; the job of the police is to investigate right? A good journalist/reporter would understand this; THAT my friend is why excellent journalists have taken the time to print this heart wrenching story. Take a page out of their journalism notes and have a blessed day in the Lord.

Posted By: Ferguson Family On: 9/29/2009

Title: Wednesday - September 30, 2009

The Ferguson Family in our pusuit for justice;will be demonstrating in Parliament Square on Wednestay, September 30th 2009, 9am-3:30pm, along with the family of the late Brenton Smith and perhaps countless others. As we protest the mishandling of the murder investigation of Mr. Preston Garfield Ferguson Sr. (The Forest Exuma) - Father, Brother, Uncle, Cousin, Nephew, Friend. It is our aim to bring attention to this injustice and to bring accountability to the feet of the relevant officials.

Posted By: Us Reporter On: 9/29/2009

Title: U cant be serious!

I actaully sitting and reaing these statemnents being writtenby by bahamaians!...coooll . I am a reporter from Usa. You knw that alot can be learn from these forums if your studying the mentality of a typical bahamian. Its weird reading these statemnts that you guys actually want the police to detemine the cause of death, dont a medical exmainer makes that decision? ...and if the cause of death was a gun shot or something similiar that will ruled the death a murder? HMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM..But i am reading posts that makes me think that some bahamians are not so smart.

Posted By: CS On: 9/29/2009

Title: Joking!

The offical websites of the PLP and FNM have forums for the Bahamian people to voice their cquestions, comments and concerns. However, the seriousness of this matter prompted me to forward the Tribune links to BOTH websites and surprise, surprise - only the PLP website has posted remarks on this travesty of Justice in Exuma! Stop playing POLITICS with crime and get on with doing the job at hand! Why suppress the voice of the people?

Posted By: Bahama Pulse On: 9/29/2009

Title: They dont care!

These people aren't serious about fighting crime. They dont live in our communities and are always flanked by security or bodyguards. They could give a hoot less if the murder rate was 100 or 500 by the end of this week! They exist in their bubbles and play the numbers game with fatalities - often deciding what incident will be categorized as a crime or an "accident" to make themselves look like they have a handle on things.

Posted By: Concerned Citizen On: 9/29/2009

Title: THIS IS HORRIBLE!!!

My gosh, when are we as a nation going to stop accepting this type of mediocrity? It is a shame that we have to hear of stories like this and countless others where it is clear that there is no transparency. This is why crime is so out of control, the criminals feel as if there are no real consequences. Quite honestly, young striving Bahamians are going to start to exist and the Bahamas will be left with a bunch of criminals.

Posted By: Hector Smith On: 9/29/2009

Title: Bahamian Citizens have rights,

Stay strong Ferguson family in the pursuit of Justice.We all must be watch dogs and attend to each situation/tragey .Bahamians we must fight for our rights and demand professialism from our authorities and we can do this by uniting in our call for Justice. Brenton Hector Smith was killed by one officer ,the other grief is how the others handled or mishandled Themselves.Shame.From the Smith family this is typical behaviour for the Police force,pray you are never involved with them.Join Us in the fight for Justice.

Posted By: NATASHA On: 9/28/2009

Title: RESPOSE TO B. SMITH

Clearly, you are extremely biased. No one is attacking the RBPF or the coroners office. There is "protocol" to be followed at the scene of any accident. Did you see the photos of the truck? A blind bat would have determined that the impact of the vehicle would have caused more damage and further that, how in the world could the passenger glass be shattered? DUMB DO DUMB DE DUMB................. That being said, the Family deserves answer, Preston deserves justice and the Bahamas Goverment nneds to clean up the Police Force and for heavens sake stop promoting persons because of their time on the force....same thing with the Coroners office. Presently, there are qualified persons in this country who have to do other things other than what they were trained for and have degrees in. Brenton Smith, Preston Feguson and many many others have gone but will not be forgotten. Peace and Love in the name of Jesus. Be Blessed.

Posted By: Disgruntled Exumian, sick of the foolishness On: 9/28/2009

Title: Not the first "ACCIDENT" appears to be murder, & won't be the last if RBPF does not get its act together!

The RBPF needs to revamp and hire professionals to do their jobs properly. Additionally, the people at the morgue need to report and ensure that the correct authorities follow up on cases where they find that the cause of death initally stated is not the case. In 2005, there was a boating accident in which one individual died and the other two persons on the boat survived without a scratch. One of the individuals on the boat could barely thread water, and the person that died was an experienced boater. Furthermore, the autopsy revealled that the death was not caused as stated, but there was never a follow-up as to how, what or why the incident was reported and recorded in the manner that it was. EVERYONE NEEDS TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE, IT'S NOT ONLY RBPF, BUT ALSO THOSE AT THE MORGUE THAT NOTICE THE CONFLICTING STORIES AS IT RELATES TO THE POLICE REPORT AND THE AUTOPSY! IF IT MEANS THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAS TO CUT SPENDING ON FOOLISHNESS LIKE BLEACHERS FOR JUNKANOO, & EVEN SOME OF THE POLITICAL LEADERS SALARIES TO BRING IN EXPERTS TO GET THE JOB DONE, THEN SO BE IT!!!!!

Posted By: Exumian to the Core On: 9/28/2009

Title: Family Be Encouraged

The family of Preston Ferguson needs to be commended. They seems to be a close knit family. Unity is strength. Continue to fight for justice. People in Exuma is willing to give Police information as is relates to Preston's death but the Police here in Exuma are on holiday.They dont worth Sh------it. Reggie could save face by dealing with the good for nothing officers that mess up this murder investigation. Heads must roll in this one. I encourage the family to go further. GBe Encouragedet a court order have Preston's body exhumed and hire an independant pathologist. May cost a few dollars. But the world is willing to help to prove the Police theory as Hog wash. Press on Ferguson family. JB and Ismae have to feel proud of you.

Posted By: George Town Girl (Pissed) On: 9/28/2009

Title: Get The Facts?!? (Correction)

Addressed to B. Smith/Get The Facts The first line/sentence :B. Smith: First of all , we must be careful not to seem anti-Bahamian Should read anti-American/Foreign, as, Ret. Det. Santine is an American offering his expertise to the Ferguson family and the RBPF. Thank you.

Posted By: Pepe On: 9/28/2009

Title: Cop Involved?

The big question would be... is the husband of the woman Preston was having an affair with, is he a police officer or a close friend or relative of a police officer?

Posted By: Proud Bahamian (with vision) On: 9/28/2009

Title: Facts are Facts

I think the major issue here is that the police are required to review all leads before drawing a conclusion. The family obviously expressed their suspicions and concerns but according to the article the police have not spoken to the two key persons. This is absolutely outrageous and clearly shows either incompetence or laziness. You can have a million medical examiners, but the police are still required to look at all possibilities. That is a fact !!How long does it take to interview 2 people at the request of the family and that had uncovered strong evidence to suggest that this was more than a mere accident. Why weren't these questions addressed before ruling this case an accident? If they were, then I don't think we would be open to the foreign criticism. I am a proud Bahamian, but not a blind proud Bahamian. The reason the police are being criticized is because they obviously did not do what they are supposed to in this case. A Bahamian could have been murdered, and yet we are concerned about seeming anti Bahamian ? Suppose this was your brother or father ? Would you still have this concern ? Another question to the police is why is it taking 2 months to address these questions ? Even if they are right with their conclusion, they should be in the position to show that they looked at these angles but were able to discount them based upon facts. Why do they have to reconstruct a scene that they had 2 months ago ? Isn't it easier to investigate at the time of the accident ? Again, Its obvious that the police made a gross error here, but as usual they address it with silence. Why haven't they come forward with something more tangible than "were investigating". Why can't they answer the questions raised by the family ? Why ?

Posted By: Woooooow.... On: 9/28/2009

Title: What say you?

Sooooo B.Smith, you are in agreement with this magic driver theory that the Exuma Police have put forth (after openly questioning the suspicious nature of their initial findings)?!?! Regardless of how you may feel about the foreign cops opinion, and thats all it is, are you also a student of fiction? Sorry, I meant the Exuma Police "accident" report! If so, I have two bridges to sell you in the Paradise Island area - two for one special....get it while its hot!

Posted By: George Town Girl (Pissed) On: 9/28/2009

Title: Get The Facts?!?

B. Smith: First of all , we must be careful not to seem anti-Bahamian, as assistance from anywhere is assistance. I see why you are so hot and bothered, Insight is rubbing more salt into your wounds, by clearly illustrating that things are amiss not only in Preston's case, but, generally when it comes to cases that demand a bit of brain power mixed with a dose of common sense. The qualifications of the pathologists is not in question here and never was, however, the police reports that accompany decedents to the morgue tend to lead/influence outcomes (so I've been told). Also, RBPF does impeccable policing at times, however, I do believe that due to your proximity, that your reality is somewhat clouded. Think about it.......

Posted By: B. Smith On: 9/28/2009

Title: Get The Facts Right

I dont know who this retired officer thinks that he is, but the RBPF has very qualified investigators and it is irresponsible for this foreigner to judge investigators before carefully studing all aspects of the death. What about the autopsy report? We have a very qualified FORENSIC PATHOLOGIST. Every investigation that i have heard about in this country for the past twenty years where foreign influences were brought on has always praised the RBPF and the way that they do business.

Posted By: Reverend Charles Carey On: 9/28/2009

Title: Justice delayed

On Friday, September 29, 2006, at about 7:50 P.M. an out of control driver in a red Dodge Ram hit three cars near the Treasure Cay entrance. Wensil Laroda was a passenger in a Honda Civic which was completely destroyed. He died instantly. Thirteen year-old Wensil was an intelligent, fun-loving, talented individual, with a commitment to God, and a gift for music. He was Band Captain in the Wesley College Band. He was mature beyond his years. He got on well with everybody, and was always a joy to be around. He was active in the Full Gospel Assembly, and lead member of their band. On the evening of this incident, Wensil was coming from his Church's band practice. So were the passengers of the other two cars hit. The drive home was one mile. My God, our young people can't drive one mile home from church without their lives being endangered by a lunatic who should never have been driving in the first place? The driver of the Dodge truck was helped from his vehicle, then fled the scene, but was later arrested when he sought medical attention at the clinic. The accident has been blamed on the driver of the truck, Caline St Jean. St Jean was treated for minor injuries and then taken into custody. He is accused of killing in the course of dangerous driving. Charges he has faced before. Tomorrow will be the third anniversary of Wensil's death. Our government and Officials have failed to deliver justice. Our citizens have been too busy to demand it. Because of the statute of limitations the driver will have gotton away with taking an innocent young Bahamian life. He is bound to kill again. That's the price we pay for living in a lawless society. May Wensil Laroda and all the innocent victims of slaughter in our country rest in peace. Where we have failed to get justice for you, God will deliver his righteous judgement.

Posted By: A. Cooper On: 9/28/2009

Title: My, my, my....

Shame, shame, shame....the world is watching (and talking)....does Tommy/Reg still have a pulse between the two of them?? Or is Tommy still miffed that people were taking him to task yesterday at the memorial wall dedication for all the loved ones lost - with NO recourse from the RBPF??? He was actually pissed at the COB professor who called for more accountability from the Police and Minister of National Security....are they forgetting that they are PUBLIC SERVANTS elected BY the PEOPLE, FOR the PEOPLE!! Not to kiss their backsides and agree with them when they are feeding us garbage! Get your act together...behaving like a spoiled brat while people hurting and crying out for justice!