By AVA TURNQUEST
Tribune Staff Reporter
aturnquest@tribunemedia.net
THE Opposition has demanded an explanation about why MP Jerome Fitzgerald was serving as Acting Attorney General when a gun possession case was dropped.
Free National Movement Leader Hubert Minnis said the Minister of State for Legal Affairs was the proper deputy when the Attorney General was out of the country.
He said the party’s legal team would conduct an investigation into the case to determine if the withdrawal of charges could affect other gun possession cases.
He said: “We are very concerned about the matter, and will look into it much more thoroughly. Why didn’t Damian Gomez, the Minister of State for Legal Affairs, sign it?
“We will look at the legal framework: our concern is that no precedent is being set. We don’t want a continuation of this. We’re going to look at the entire situation as a whole,” he said.
Janice and George Hayes each faced a charge of possession of a firearm and possession of ammunition.
When they appeared in February 2010, represented by now Attorney General Allyson Maynard-Gibson, the couple pleaded not guilty to the charges and have continued to deny the allegations against them.
Last Friday, Deputy Chief Magistrate Bethell dismissed the case upon a written directive from the Attorney General’s office.
However, she said the matter could be brought back at any time the Attorney General wished as the pair were not acquitted, only discharged.
It followed an initial nolle prosequi move was rejected by the deputy chief magistrate because the document was not dated and it was not clear who had signed it.
She asked the prosecutor to send the document back and adjourned the case to December 28.
After last week’s hearing, Mr Fitzgerald said he withdrew the charges for reasons of national security.
He added: “In the absence of the Attorney General I acted as Attorney General. During the absence of Mrs Maynard-Gibson, I reviewed the file relating to Janice Hayes and George Hayes and satisfied myself that it was appropriate to discontinue the prosecution.”
Comments
TalRussell 11 years, 3 months ago
Comrades we all got a place to play in we Bahamaland and the red shirts leader the "new" Hubert Alexander stood in the House to confirm that he would vote "YES" on the numbers rackets legalization "thing" of PM Christie's?
Maybe I missed it but remind me if at any time since becoming leader has the "new" Hubert A, ever addressed anything about the monies handed over to the red shirts by the numbers "Bosses?"
To me the greater National Security issue is how is it that both the red shirts and the PM can expect to get away with holding a "thing" to legalize the numbers rackets when they have both been financial beneficiaries of monies from the numbers "Bosses?"
Comrades this is not constitutionally right, considering both political parties have had close ties to criminal operators bank rolls?
Neither party as the government of the day has spent much of their time in office dealing with shutting down the criminal numbers rackets which couldn't be operating more blatantly out in the open in the face of the Royal Bahamas Police?
Yet, some members of the clergy have no shame in speaking out publicly as to all the benefits they see coming from taxing the poor who are the biggest spenders chasing the fools gold drop of the numbers balls. Where is their "For Jesus" church sermons balls?
by TalRussell
TalRussell 11 years, 3 months ago
The "NO" vote should produce and offer for a donation thousands of; Vote "NO" PM "Thing" campaign wrist bands to raise funds for their campaign.
Ever cross denominations church, excepting the congregations of those belonging to the four "YES" pastors, should make these campaign wrist bands available to members right up to the vote, still scheduled to take place on January 28, 2013.
Why such broad silence from the business community who should place their monies behind the "NO" vote to stop the legalization of the criminal numbers rackets, being they must understand that for every dollar their customers spend on chasing a number to drop, it is money in the multi-millions that Bahamians are not going to be spending at their local business establishments? That is the truth.
It's a damn shame that the only organized vote "No" campaign that is being mounted is being done on a slim budget, by loyal to Jesus members of the clergy.
Comrades why is this being promoted by the "YES" side as if it is only the regular Sunday morning church goers who are against the numbers? it ain't ain't true.
It must be crystal clear to all Bahamians that PM Christie and his government want the "YES" vote to win the day on January 28, 2013?
by TalRussell
jackflash 11 years, 3 months ago
My computer must be broken, I thought that the artical was on the gun case being dropped.
Tal posted two comments on the numbers vote.
Did he bury his head in the sand on this one to make the issue go away since he knows the decission was wrong and corupt or is his computer showing the numbers vote?
TalRussell 11 years, 3 months ago
Comrade Jackflash I guess as the PM of Bahamaland it's expected Christie would have an political objective.
If what has been reported in numerous media sources and confirmed by the four pastors themselves is correct, the PM consulted first and only with the four pastors in a meeting he held with them concerning the dates and questions of his January 28, 2013 numbers rackets "thing?" Comrades these are not my made-up words.
Maybe Comrade leader Minnis sees it differently, but anytime we hear about persons involved in criminal activities having financed political election campaigns, for both the PLP and the Red Shirts, of which neither party has yet to deny, it rises to a much higher level of national security than a couple possessing a handgun and a few bullets, which it has never been alleged was being used in the commission of a crime. The last time I checked selling hopes on what ball going drop is a criminal activity.
The PLP now holds and the red shirts previously held all the controls over how the government's instruments of power are to be used to legalize the numbers rackets, yet both accepted monies from the numbers "Bosses?" Is this OK with Bahamians?
Really Comrade leader Minnis since no PLP or Red Shirts government has ever bothered to look inside their bank accounts, who's to say how they run they're web shops? I challenge the PM or any member of his cabinet to tell me I am wrong? How do you regulate something you are a complete stranger about exactly how it works and how much money is involved?
Yes, Comrade Jackflash, some of us believe this is a much greater national security concern, than calling for an full investigation over one single unlicensed handgun that even a Blind Blake can see on a cloudy day if he were but alive?
by TalRussell
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