June 29 - July 5, 2013
NEWS
TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS
5
‘Justice’ Howell charged with Martinez murder
THIRTY-year-old Romano Giovanni Howell of Kew Town, Providenciales, has been charged with the murder of Damaris Gomez Martinez, the young woman whose body was recovered by Millennium Highway on June 16. Howell, who is also known as ‘Justice,' appeared before Chief Magistrate, Clifton Warner and was not required to plead to the indictable charge. He was remanded to prison until August 2, when a sufficiency hearing will be held in the Supreme Court. Martinez went missing on June 10. She was reportedly last seen at an establishment in the Grace Bay area
Romano Howell
by a friend, at about 10pm. One week later (June 16), a jogger discovered her body, stashed
in a box, and concealed among the bushes leading to Crystal Bay. The discovery was made at about 6am after the female jogger investigated a foul odour emanating some yards away from the highway. The results of the post mortem examination which was conducted on June 19 have not been released by police; as such, the cause of Martinez’s death is as yet unknown. Police investigations into the death led to the subsequent arrest of Howell. He will face a judge and jury trial, following the outcome of the sufficiency hearing. The 30-year-old woman will be laid to rest on Monday (July 1). (DI)
Murder accused Romano (Justice) Howell leaves Providenciales Magistrates Court on June 24
Delano Williams’ switch to the UK a 'great loss' – Cartwright-Robinson THE CURRENT Junior Champion of the World in 200m sprint, Delano Williams, will now be competing under the flag of the United Kingdom. Opposition Leader, Sharlene Cartwright-Robinson, stressed that the Turks and Caicos Islands has suffered a “great loss”. At a press conference last Friday (June 21), she said: “We are unfortunately not surprised by Delano Williams, as we too were concerned about the level of uncertainty surrounding his future." Against the background of a news report where the Minister, the Hon Akierra Missick announced that he was in receipt of a scholarship, the Opposition sought to receive the information officially by posing a question in the House of Assembly. Cartwright-Robinson said: “We were dismayed by the Minister’s response which simply said that there are other athletes who also need attention and on the note of his scholarship, she flipped flopped by saying, he has to wait on the Scholarship Board and that she did not want to preempt the board’s decision. “The only good news in all of this is that we are grateful that in the end, the Ministry has awarded him a scholarship and we are expecting Delano to return home after completing his studies to work along with other TCI athletes to ensure that they receive the attention that they deserve. “The Minister informed the
Sharlene Cartwright-Robinson
Sean Astwood
Delroy Vaden Williams
Goldray Ewing
Edwin Astwood
Josephine Connolly
Delano Williams House a few weeks ago that the policy was before Cabinet and we note seeing this recorded in post Cabinet briefings.” On that note, Cartwright-Robinson called on the Government to begin to allow scholarships to be given based on athletic ability as well. According to her, sport is critical to the development of TCI's youth as it teaches commitment and discipline. “It is a unifying force for any nation and we are calling on the Government to get serious about sports and our athletes,” she said. The Opposition Leader also had words of encouragement for the young athlete. She said: “I wish to encourage Delano and other athletes, the sporting bodies and those wellwishers, feint not and continue to do your best. "Delano, we are proud of you and we in the PDM family will be your committed fans always.” (VANESSA NARINE)
PDM announces appointment of shadow Ministers LEADER of the People’s Democratic Movement (PDM), Sharlene Cartwright-Robinson, last Friday (June 21), announced the appointments of the Opposition’s shadow government. The party’s Deputy Leader, Sean Astwood, will shadow the Ministry of Tourism, Investment and Trade. Elected member for Wheeland, Vaden Williams, was assigned to the Ministry of Government Support Services and elected member for
Blue Hills, Goldray Ewing, was appointed to shadow the Ministry of Environment, Home Affairs and District Administration. Grand Turk’s Edwin Astwood will shadow the Ministry of Health; while At-Large elected members Derek Taylor and Josephine Connolly will shadow the Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Education and Human Services, respectively. Cartwright-Robinson will shadow the Ministry of Border Control and
Derek Taylor
Labour. According to her, more details on the appointments will be disclosed at a future press conference.