Deputy PM raid case is dropped

Official Opposition Leader Philip 'Brave' Davis.

As of Wednesday, November 30, 2016

By LAMECH JOHNSON

Tribune Staff Reporter

ljohnson@tribunemedia.net

THE two remaining defendants who were awaiting trial in connection with the gunpoint robbery of Deputy Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis at his home have had the case against them withdrawn in the Supreme Court.

Tyrone Knowles, 25, and Marc McCartney, 21, were due to stand trial before Justice Vera Watkins on December 5 concerning the December, 2013, incident.

However, in a hearing on Monday, Crown prosecutor Patrick Sweeting produced a nolle prosequi signed by the Attorney General asking that the charge be discontinued against the two accused.

It is unclear why the Office of the Attorney General dropped the case. Lawyer for the accused Geoffrey Farquharson was also served with a copy of the document.

The Office of the Attorney General could bring the case against Knowles and McCartney again at any time in the Supreme Court, but it is unlikely.

The Christie administration has come under fire from the Free National Movement for issuing nolle prosequi orders in controversial cases.

The two men were accused of robbing Mr Davis of jewellery worth $93,000, a jewellery box worth $200, Baraka gold jewellery worth $700, an opal top wallet worth $450, a Royal Bank of Canada credit card and a driver’s licence worth $15.

They were also accused of robbing Mr Davis’ wife, Ann Marie, of $2,953, and Wilberforce Seymour of $10. Mr Davis was Acting Prime Minister at the time of the incident as Perry Christie was out of the country.

A third accused, 25-year-old Jeffrey King, was to stand trial with Knowles and McCartney. However, in September, he was killed in a shootout with police in Yellow Elder Gardens. He was on bail at the time.

Speaking to reporters days after the robbery in 2013, Mr Davis said he was left feeling “a bit shaken”, adding that the incident proved that no one is immune to crime.

However, he said he was not afraid during the home invasion. “They don’t call me Brave for nothing,” he told reporters. At the time, Mr Davis said he did not think he was targeted.

“From all accounts the invaders were not aware of the home that they were entering into,” he said. “They took my aide as the owner of the house [until] they got into my bedroom and saw me.”

In June, 2013, one of Mr Davis’ police aides was shot during a reported botched armed robbery in eastern New Providence.

Alex_Charles 7 years, 4 months ago

This tells a more frightening story. Nole over here and Nolle over there. What a time, what a time.

Greentea 7 years, 4 months ago

Sound like a hook for a new KB song."Nolle over here, Nolle over there"

Honestman 7 years, 4 months ago

Wow. Does anyone smell a rat here????

xtreme2x 7 years, 4 months ago

U mean dead rat...lol

ThisIsOurs 7 years, 4 months ago

Wasn't one of that group murdered before his case came up?

ThisIsOurs 7 years, 4 months ago

Oh it's TWO that ended up dead

sealice 7 years, 4 months ago

2 more votes for the PLP next year. . . .

ThisIsOurs 7 years, 4 months ago

This is really weird, someone robs the Deputy Prime Minister of your country and their case is dismissed with no explanation. Let's all pray that God keeps Perry Christie in good health until the next election.

Clamshell 7 years, 4 months ago

Ah, the Bahamas ... the best justice money can buy.

Voltaire 7 years, 4 months ago

What on earth??? This cannot go like the last nolle. The public needs an explanation.

ohdrap4 7 years, 4 months ago

your comment makes a good banner for the january 9th march.

Greentea 7 years, 4 months ago

Just when you think it can't get any worse with these jokers, they hit a new low. They can't even see how bad everything they do - is - and appears to the people. Their head is really deep in their own backsides. Unbelievable.

ThisIsOurs 7 years, 4 months ago

Does this mean they're free? Terrorists who committed an armed robbery of a private citizen?Free to terrorize another family during the Christmas season?

Voltaire 7 years, 4 months ago

I believe that is exactly what it means!

watcher 7 years, 4 months ago

Just to echo what others have already said....the PLP and their cronies are now actively making a mockery of our legal system for their own personal ends. It stinks to high heaven.

My biggest fear going forward is that cases (murder, robbery, rape, shootings) may in future be brought before the courts, only for the AG to pull another nolle card from out of her backside pocket because either (a) the defendant is a croney / friend / lackey of the ruling Chinese politburo or (b) money has changed hands. Boy, that lost Baha Mar franchise revenue must really be putting a hurting on Hanna, and she badly needs another source of money.

Shame on these crooks !!!

BahamaPundit 7 years, 4 months ago

I have never seen a more improper seeming relationship than the AG has with this PM. It goes beyond incestuous. He and his cronies, literally, no exageration, have carte blanche to do whatever they please without fear of prosecution.

BahamaPundit 7 years, 4 months ago

The PLP run from open, fair trials like vampires from sunlight. So much fear of truth. So much darkness within. So much to hide!

Honestman 7 years, 4 months ago

We are truly a third world nation when our politically appointed Attorney General can lower herself to drop charges on two persons who raided the home of the Deputy Prime Minister WITHOUT OFFERING AN EXPLANATION TO THE PUBLIC. Just another example of the outstanding level of arrogance shown by this political party. Also, dare I ask when the PUBLIC might get to see the report on the Rubis spill? Not holding my breath for an answer!

Bahamaland 7 years, 4 months ago

It's clear and simple once you read between the lines...those are PLP thugs who miss and gone to the boss man house to rob by mistake. Brave said he was not targeted but they shit their pants when they realize they were in the lions den.

ThisIsOurs 7 years, 4 months ago

I'm thinking it wasn't a mistake, that would be highly coincidental. Right street, right address and security? I think they knew the money was there .. The fact that they dismissed a case for someone who held a family hostage WITH ILLEGAL GUNS...this wasn't a mistake...And I doubt it was church fair money

realfreethinker 7 years, 4 months ago

This is treacherous. A slippery slope. sumtin een rite with this one

truetruebahamian 7 years, 4 months ago

This whole scenario stinks big time.

Voltaire 7 years, 4 months ago

Stinks to high heaven...

truetruebahamian 7 years, 4 months ago

curiouser and curiouser and even more opaque than ever.

SP 7 years, 4 months ago

.... DPM Phillip Davis Not "Brave" Enough To Risk His Many Skeletons Being Exposed ....

Armed men invade your home, hold and robs you, your wife, family, bodyguard and dog at gun point and you say "just let it slide"?

These guys deep rooted involvement in corruption is more transparent than a jellyfish!

banker 7 years, 4 months ago

At least there are no white nasal boogers in this picture of the stubby-fingered vulgarian. Thank God for small mercies that we don't have to look at.

jus2cents 7 years, 4 months ago

He is the Deputy Prime Minister for god's sake!? What example / message is he and the AG sending to the people by not pursuing this in court?
All we can do is speculate- Brave is scared, afraid of the fall out so he has something to hide, afraid of the criminals, he can’t be bothered, they have something ‘on him’? It’s all not good. When a victim of a crime doesn’t prosecute it’s like they are allowing the criminals to go and commit more crimes on the rest of us. In this case the victim of the crime and the AG are just as guilty, they are creating more crime, encouraging people not to prosecute and endorsing street justice. This needs a better explanation, it needs investigating just as much as the criminals, particularly if the explanation is weak!

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