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NEWBORN BABY SAVED FROM TRUNK OF CAR Teen leads police to MITCHELL WARNS US ENTRY RULES BECOMING ‘UNFORGIVING’ vehicle where infant was found in a box By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net
AN 18-year-old who thought he heard a baby crying as he stepped outside his home triggered the rescue of a five-day-old newborn found inside the locked trunk of a vehicle in Pinewood Gardens, a discovery that led to the arrest of the child’s parents on charges related to child cruelty. Shavallo Pinder was leaving his home on his way to meet his cousins when the sound caught his attention near Sequoia Street.
As he moved closer to a parked vehicle, he began searching the area, trying to pinpoint where the crying was coming from. “I start to look by the bush, then I start to look by the window. I gone closer to the car. I was looking inside the car,” he told ZNS. Mr Pinder said the sound grew louder as he approached the vehicle, prompting him to place his ear near the trunk. RESCUE - SEE PAGE THREE
CROOKED ISLAND ELECTRICITY OUTAGE ENDS AFTER THREE DAYS By KEILE CAMPBELL Tribune Staff Reporter kcampbell@tribunemedia.net AN ISLAND-WIDE power outage that left Crooked Island in darkness for three days finally ended last night when electricity was restored shortly after 9pm. Bahamas Power and
FOREIGN Affairs Minister Fred Mitchell warned that entering the United States is becoming increasingly difficult for Bahamians, saying immigration rules are growing “stricter” and more “unforgiving” with each passing week. Mr Mitchell said the question of continued access to the United States is a recurring issue in his discussions with US officials, including the new US Ambassador, Herschel Walker, and the previous Chargé d’Affaires - now Deputy Chief of Mission – Kimberley Furnish. He pointed to the deep ties between the two countries, noting that
Light (BPL) confirmed that supply was successfully reconnected last night, bringing relief to residents and visitors who had been struggling without power since late Saturday due to a generator failure. Residents of Crooked Island expressed mounting OUTAGE - SEE PAGE FIVE
FOREIGN AFFAIRS MINISTER FRED MITCHELL
STRICT - SEE PAGE FOUR
Terminally ill Roker asks to return home By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Chief Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net A FORMER Royal Bahamas Defence Force officer facing up to 20 years in prison for his role in a major cocaine trafficking conspiracy has asked a US judge to show leniency with sentencing and allow him to return to The Bahamas under supervised release, revealing he he has advanced prostate cancer that has returned aggressively. Darrin Roker, 57, a former chief petty officer, made the request before US District Judge Gregory Woods just weeks ahead of his January 21 sentencing for conspiracy to import cocaine into the United States. He pleaded guilty in October, becoming the first of 13 defendants to do so in a sweeping case alleging
that traffickers moved tonnes of cocaine through The Bahamas into the US between 2021 and 2024. A new filing said that Roker’s PSA levels - the measurement for monitoring prostate cancer - has increased four times. Roker is “terminally ill”, the filing states. His attorney, Martin L Roth, said that the appropriate sentence would be supervised release no further prison time - because it would be “costly and burdensome” for the Bureau of Prisons to treat him. The filing states: “The progress of his disease will leave him in need of the care his wife and family can provide. He will suffer extreme pain, needing medication. He will likely be bedridden. He will be impacted psychologically. He has no family in the United States to visit him in
prison.” In a letter to the court, Mr Roth also asked that family ties and early cooperation with authorities be
Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper
taken into consideration. He asked that the time his client has already spent in CANCER - SEE PAGE FIVE
DARRIN ROKER
PAGE 2, Tuesday, December 30, 2025
THE TRIBUNE
Trashy aftermath at RM Bailey Park
PILES OF WASTE seen days later left behind after the Christmas vendors pulled up their tents and left RM Bailey Park. Photos: Nikia Charlton
Father of seven dies while picking breadfruit
THE TRIBUNE
Tuesday, December 30, 2025, PAGE 3
By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net A MAN who was fatally electrocuted on Christmas Eve while trying to retrieve fruit from a tree on Wilton Street was a Haitian father of seven who had been worried about money ahead of Christmas. Simon Magislin, 53, had lived in The Bahamas for three to four years but died after coming into contact with an overhead electrical line, according to police. Officers responded to reports of an unresponsive man and found that a pole he was using had struck a power line, resulting in the fatal electrocution. Magislin worked as a handyman and had recently begun receiving steady work, but relatives
said he remained concerned about finances as Christmas approached. His seven children live in Haiti. Neighbour Reynold Simon said Magislin had gone to pick breadfruit when the incident occurred. He recalled that Magislin was wearing short pants and believed the iron pole may have slipped, causing him to lose control. “The door was open. That little shack you see in the front there -– I was sitting inside. When that thing knock down. When I walk in, I see him on the ground lay up,” Mr Simon said. He described the deceased as “nice” and said the two often spoke. Another neighbour, Odilet Lepin, said his nephew called him to say
a man had died but did not know what had happened. When he arrived at the scene, he realised it was his cousin and that Magislin was already dead. Mr Lepin said the last time they spoke, about two and a half weeks earlier, Magislin was focused on the financial strain he was under as the holidays approached. “Everything was great. He wasn’t sick. He just was crying about how Christmas coming on the way and he had no money,” Mr Lepin said. “That’s only thing we was talking about, that things really rough, so that’s only thing he was talking about.” Mr Lepin said work had not been coming in steadily at the time. Nearby, Magislin’s brother
SIMON MAGISLIN stood silently, too emotional to speak, as relatives spoke
‘I just want to stay around for my kids’ By JADE RUSSELL Tribune Staff Reporter jrussell@tribunemedia.net WHILE many families spent Christmas celebrating, 49-year-old Anastasia Johnson spent the holiday fighting to stay alive for her children, battling ovarian cancer while struggling to afford life-saving chemotherapy. Ms Johnson, a mother of three, spoke to The Tribune by phone yesterday from her Murphy Town, Abaco home, where she lay in bed in pain. Since her diagnosis earlier this year, she said her life has been upended. Once able to work as a cleaner to support her family, she is now barely able to walk, weighs about 80 pounds and lives with constant pain. She said her illness first became severe while she was working at Maxwell’s supermarket, where she began experiencing persistent vomiting, rapid weight loss and extreme fatigue. A clinic in Abaco referred her to Princess Margaret Hospital in New Providence for further testing. Doctors later found a large mass on her stomach, which was diagnosed as ovarian cancer. “I broke down in tears,” she said. “I didn't eat at all for that day, for the next two days, because I didn't expect it to be cancer.” Ms Johnson has two sons, aged ten and 14, and a 33-year-old daughter. She said the father of her children, along with co-workers and loved ones, has provided critical support during her illness, helping financially, providing food and assisting with the care
ANASTASIA JOHNSON of the children. She said her battle with cancer has been both physically and financially exhausting. She resigned from her job before receiving her diagnosis because the pain had become unbearable. Doctors have advised her to travel to New Providence at the beginning of January to determine how many rounds of chemotherapy she will need. She estimates each round will cost about $400, an amount she said is far beyond her means. She is now appealing for help to cover chemotherapy, seizure medication,
ANASTASIA JOHNSON
travel to New Providence, accommodation, food and basic living expenses. Reflecting on her first Christmas while battling cancer, Ms Johnson said the holiday was overshadowed
by pain and uncertainty. “I really didn't enjoy it. I tried to smile for my kids, but with everything I'm going through, it wasn't really enjoyable,” she said. She also spoke about her fears for the future. “I don't know what next year is going to hold for me if he is going to allow me to see it, if he don't, then I thank God I made it to see this year.” She said she prayed during the holidays that it would not be the last Christmas she spends with her family. “I just want to stay around for my kids, to watch them grow up, because a mother plays a major role, you know, in the kids' lives,” she said. “I want to be here to watch my two boys grow up and to become someone in life.” She said she would not wish cancer on her worst enemy but remains grateful that God continues to sustain her. Despite the uncertainty surrounding her medical care and finances, she said she continues to put on a brave face for her children. Persons interested in assisting Ms Johnson can contact her at 242-804-2078.
about the loss. An autopsy
will
be
conducted to determine the exact cause of death.
Parents arrested after newborn found in vehicle’s trunk RESCUE from page one “I put my ears closer to the trunk because the sound got louder,” he said. He said he banged on the trunk, which caused the baby to cry again. Unable to open it, he jumped over a wall to alert his cousin and another person who was sitting outside. When they still could not gain access to the trunk, police were called. Police said officers responded shortly after 11.30pm on December 27 to a report of a baby crying inside the trunk of a vehicle on Sequoia Street in Pinewood Gardens. On arrival, officers located a locked blue Hyundai Elantra with the sound of an infant coming from inside. Unable to access the vehicle, police broke a window to gain entry and discovered a male newborn wrapped in a blanket and placed inside a box in the trunk. Emergency Medical Services transported the infant to the
hospital, where medical personnel later assessed the baby to be five days old. The child was listed in stable condition and admitted to the Children’s Ward Nursery for ongoing care. “We see the baby inside this box with no shirt on, no pants, no socks, no tam, it was wrapped up in a blue blanket. It didn’t feel real to me because I never saw nothing like that before,” Mr Pinder said. Police said a 38-year-old woman and a 42-yearold man, identified as the infant’s parents, were arrested and cautioned in connection with the offence of child cruelty. A six-year-old and a oneyear-old found at the residence were placed into the care of their uncle for welfare reasons, while the infant’s mother was taken to the hospital by EMS for medical evaluation. ZNS suggested that the police account of the incident was issued only days later in response to repeated inquiries by the organisation.
PAGE 4, Tuesday, December 30, 2025
THE TRIBUNE
Entering US is getting ‘harder and harder’ STRICT from page one
FOPREIGN AFFAIRS MINISTER FRED MITCHELL
more than 57,000 people of Bahamian ancestry live in the United States. “When meeting the new US ambassador here, Herschel Walker, and before that, his Chargé, the one enduring question is always that Bahamians will continue to have access to the United States,” he said. “It is still yes today, but each week there are stricter and stricter rules, unforgiving rules, and it seems to be evolving harder and harder to enter that country.” The minister referenced the novel Wind From the Carolinas as a fictional reminder of a time when movement between The Bahamas and the United States was relatively free, and when well-known Americans frequently visited Nassau with ease. Mr Mitchell, who earlier this month proposed that the US and The Bahamas consider implementing a formal visa-free travel treaty, said concerns about access to the US must also be viewed in the context of The Bahamas’ own labour
needs. He noted persistent shortages across key sectors, including restaurants, tourism, construction, nursing and caregiving, which have fuelled calls for work permits to supplement the local workforce. He pointed to claims that population decline between 2010 and 2022 contributed to labour pressures, but noted that preliminary results from the Bahamas National Statistical Institute’s Census of Population and Housing showed the population increased by 13.6 percent over that period, with net migration emerging as the primary driver. The census also showed that New Providence continues to grow faster than the Family Islands. “It’s plain to see the shortage of labour and the drop in the enrollment in the schools and lawdy Miss Claudie immigration. The stats show us that without it, our economy would have serious issues,” Mr Mitchell said. “When the government The Bahamas then argues on behalf of Bahamians for immigration into the states, it would be wise for us as Bahamians to understand the nature of our economy and that it cuts both ways.”
CORNISH AND FOX CHOSEN AS PLP CANDIDATES FOR ABACO By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Chief Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net
THE Progressive Liberal Party has selected its candidates for the Abaco constituencies in the upcoming general election, with incumbent Kirk Cornish and newcomer Bradley Fox Jr set to carry the party’s banner. Multiple sources confirmed that Mr Cornish will be nominated for North Abaco, while Mr Fox, the
PLP branch chairman for Central and South Abaco, will contest that seat. Party insiders said the selections followed interviews conducted by the PLP’s candidates committee earlier this month and are expected to be ratified next month. Progressive Young Liberals chairman Bryant Lowe challenged Mr Cornish for the North Abaco nomination, while Mr Fox was interviewed unopposed, according to sources.
The Central and South Abaco seat will be vacated by John Pinder, who previously told The Tribune he would not seek re-election, saying he believes he can contribute more “behind the front lines.” His departure from frontline politics comes amid some dissatisfaction over his performance in office. Mr Cornish’s renomination has also drawn criticism from some PLP supporters, who argue he could have done more for
the community, particularly on road repairs and other infrastructure issues. However, North Abaco PLP branch chair Anastasia Dawkins said the branch will support his renomination once confirmed and believes he can retain the seat. The Free National Movement has already ratified Jeremy Sweeting as its candidate for Central and South Abaco and Terrece Bootle-Laing for North Abaco. Progressive Young Liberals chairman Bryant Lowe challenged Mr Cornish for the North Abaco nomination, while Bradley Fox Jr faced off against Acting Director of Local Government Donald Rolle, according to sources. Interest in the seat intensified earlier this year after Mr Rolle claimed branch support, even as Mr Fox, the branch chairman, also announced his candidacy. aHis claim of backing from the branch, including Mr Fox Jr, reportedly surprised party insiders. The Central and South Abaco seat will be vacated by John Pinder, who previously told The Tribune he would not seek re-election, saying he believes he can
BRAD FOX
KIRK CORNISH
contribute more “behind the front lines.” His departure from frontline politics comes amid some dissatisfaction over his performance in office. However, Mr Pinder has repeatedly defended his recordhighlighting what he described as significant progress in Abaco’s recovery, particularly its economic and tourism revival. On the ground, he noted several Public Works projects are completed or near completion, including road paving on Pelican Road, Central Pines and pointed to long overdue improvements in Moore’s Island.
Meanwhile, Mr Cornish’s renomination has also drawn criticism from some PLP supporters, who argue he could have done more for the community, particularly on road repairs and other infrastructure issues. However, North Abaco PLP branch chair Anastasia Dawkins said the branch will support his renomination once confirmed and believes he can retain the seat. The Free National Movement has already ratified Jeremy Sweeting as its candidate for Central and South Abaco and Terrece Bootle-Laing for North Abaco.
THE TRIBUNE
Tuesday, December 30, 2025, PAGE 5
Attorney claims prison unable to treat aggressive cancer CANCER from page one
custody be credited. The request centres on Roker’s stage-four prostate cancer diagnosis and the limitations of the US Bureau of Prisons in managing his condition. Mr Roth submitted medical records dating from 2022 through August 2025, including documentation from the Brooklyn Cancer Centre confirming follow-up care for metastatic prostate cancer. Court filings indicate Roker was last seen by doctors in mid-December, though that report was not yet available. Mr Roth noted that the government agreed to reduce the charge against Roker, which carries no mandatory minimum sentence, giving the court discretion. While the government’s position on the request for a varied sentence has not yet been made clear, Mr Roth said the plea agreement leaves room for leniency. “Defendant seeks a variance and a sentence of supervised release. He will be deported to The Bahamas as the offence of conviction is classified as an aggravated
DARRIN ROKER felony under Title 8 of the US Code,” the letter said. “He will pose no future threat to the public. It will promote overall respect for our system of justice to allow the defendant to die in his home in the company of his wife and family in The Bahamas.” Roker’s attorney also submitted character references from religious leaders, relatives, friends and lodge members.
In a letter to Judge Woods, Care Pastor at Spirit of Life Ministries, Sharvon Peet described Roker as a faithful church member and close friend. “While there is no denying the weight of past mistakes, I firmly believe in the power of redemption and personal growth,” the pastor said. “Darrin has demonstrated sincere remorse and a commitment to change. I am confident that he possess the
character and determination to continue rebuilding his life and to contribute meaningfully to society.” His sister Nichelle Roker-Pinder said he was a “remarkable person” and a “caring brother.” “Darrin’s strength and guidance have been a true pillar for our family”, she wrote. Jeffrey Lloyd, a lawyer and former member of Parliament for South Beach, as well as a former Minister for Education, said that he had known Roker for more than 27 years. He praised Roker’s work with at-risk youth and said his legal troubles were “profoundly inconsistent with the man I know - a man of integrity, discipline and selfless commitment to community development.” “I have every confidence that this unfortunate experience has already served as a deep and transformative lesson for him, “ Mr Lloyd added. Willame McKenzie, a friend of 30 years, described Roker as selfless and honourable, recalling how he helped her raise her sons after her husband’s death and assisted them in securing jobs in the military.
Henry Butler of the Most Worshipful Allijah Grand Lodge said Roker was an active participant in lodge and community activities, while Reverend Daniel Nottage described him as a charismatic church member for more than 20 years. Court documents outline Roker’s role in the conspiracy, alleging he was recruited because of his access to Defence Force maritime patrol schedules and locations. After recovering from prostate cancer treatment in The Bahamas, prosecutors say he chose to participate rather than oppose the operation. In October 2024, he attended a meeting with co-conspirators, accepted $20,000 and split the money with the person who introduced him to the group. His involvement ended with his arrest on November 26, 2024. Mr Roth also highlighted Roker’s early cooperation after his arrest, noting informal discussions in which the government indicated that continued truthful cooperation, including testimony at any future trial, could result in a recommendation of time served.
However, he said circumstances changed on June 2, 2025, when Roker learned the cancer had returned. “BOP Health Services was aware that Mr Roker was treated for prostate cancer in 2022 in The Bahamas,” he wrote. “At the time, a cancerous tumor spread to his spine, leaving him paralysed. He was hospitalised, treated with chemo and radiation and released from treatment in The Bahamas in 2024.” “In June 2025, BOP Health Services noted that Mr Roker’s P.S.A. had a ‘fourfold’ increase. He was referred to Brooklyn Cancer Center for a skeletal bone scan. His PSA was at 23 on July 10, 2025, rising from 4.06. He was diagnosed provisionally with Metastatic Prostrate cancer.” The defence cited medical assessments stating that while newer treatments have improved outcomes, metastatic prostate cancer remains incurable, with care focused on prolonging survival, managing symptoms and maintaining quality of life. Judge Woods is expected to sentence Roker on January 21.
Cat Island residents demand answers as power finally returns OUTSAGE from page one frustration as households struggled without electricity, raising questions how the island was left without a functioning backup supply. Residents told The Tribune the outage began around 11pm on Saturday, forcing families to scramble to preserve food, secure water, and cope without internet or reliable communication. Power was briefly restored before shutting off again, and had not returned, intensifying concerns about food spoilage and access to basic services. BPL said the outage was caused by the failure of a generator component. In a press release, the company said 220 customers were affected, and a technical team was working to have a replacement part flown to the island as quickly as possible. A subsequent statement on Sunday evening said
round-the-clock restoration efforts had been underway since the outage began but had so far been unsuccessful. Southern Region regional manager Pedro Marcello said a specific mechanical component was needed to return the power generation unit to service. He said BPL had contacted the authorised Caterpillar dealer in The Bahamas to source the part and had also conducted internal inventory checks across Family Island stations. Mr Marcello said that if the component was located within BPL’s inventory, it would be transported by a technical team travelling to Crooked Island on Monday, along with M&E technicians. The team was expected to arrive by about 3pm, weather and logistics permitting. Despite those assurances, residents expressed disappointment and uncertainty, questioning how an entire island could be left without
24-year-old denied bail on car theft charges By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net A MAN accused of stealing several vehicles in May was remanded to prison yesterday. Prosecutors allege that Roberto Moxey, 24, along with accomplices, stole a silver 2014 Nissan Note, a white 2010 Nissan Note, a silver 2013 Nissan Note and a grey 2016 Nissan Cube on May 24 in New Providence. The vehicles, reportedly valued between $5,000 and $6,000, belonged to Ravescio McKenzie, Nathalya Thompson, Hiram Moss and Deja Dorsette. Moxey’s co-accused,
Jimmy Jean, 22, and Brychea Bullard, 27, were previously arraigned before Senior Magistrate Kendra Kelly Burrows. Moxey pleaded not guilty to four counts of stealing and four counts of receiving before Chief Magistrate Roberto Reckley. Inspector Deon Barr prosecuted the matter and objected to bail, citing that Moxey has a pending firearm charge before the courts. Moxey was remanded to the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services and is scheduled to return to court before Magistrate Burrows on January 7, 2026, for trial date fixture.
electricity and without a reliable backup system. While some said they were relying on small personal generators to power refrigerators, charge phones and provide minimal lighting, others said they had no alternative power source and were left waiting for restoration. Several residents also questioned how the generator could have failed so soon after its October installation, ahead of Hurricane Melissa, and raised concerns about the lack of redundancy. “This generator only a month to maybe six to eight weeks old,” long-time resident Timothy Thompson said. “They got two generators that they could fix, as backup, and stop running one generator continuously.”
Mr Thompson said residents who raised concerns were often dismissed, despite suffering losses, including spoiled food, during prolonged outages. Another long-time resident, Kirkwood McKinney Sr, said the situation exposed long-standing weaknesses in the island’s power generation planning. “BPL moved into Crooked Island in December of 2007 under the FNM, and when the installation was done, we had two generators,” he said. “How is it from 2007 to now, you have one generator?” Mr McKinney said the outage had already forced the cancellation of community events and threatened the island’s tourism economy during the holiday period. “We had to cancel one
function that we were supposed to have up on the park, a cultural show,” he said. “We have quite a few tourists on island, and more is coming in today and on Wednesday.” Other residents said the generator did not operate properly when it was first brought online, alleging that excessive voltage damaged household appliances. Food in refrigerators and freezers was thawing, they said, with particular concern for residents who were off-island and had left homes unattended. Limited water access had also become an issue, with residents who owned small generators assisting neighbours by pumping water where possible. Sandra Donaldson said the outage was directly affecting tourism, a key
source of income for the community. “It’s island wide. I mean, lots of tourists on the island again,” Ms Donaldson said. “We’re trying to not let it damper our mood because we got all these people to entertain. “This is our bread and butter here in Andrew Point, especially, you know, we depend on it, on the tours,” she said. Ms Donaldson also said at least one resort was operating without backup power while hosting guests. “We have one resort that I think got 15 people there,” she said. “They have no backup generator.” “Yeah, they are complaining, but luckily, they love it here, and they’re our friends,” she added. “So you know, they’re trying to stick it out.”
PAGE 6, Monday, Tuesday, December 30, 2025
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A culture of complacency A CULTURE of complacency. That is how a senior judge described the workings – or more specifically the failings – of our justice system in a recent ruling. The specific case involved was that of the double murder that included eightyear-old Eugene Woodside. The murder occurred in 2017 – yet it was only earlier this month that it came to trial and the men accused were acquitted after the prosecution presented no witnesses. But in a detailed ruling, Justice Dale Fitzpatrick honed in specifically on a series of failures to meet deadlines for an application for a witness to be able to testify anonymously. The case is both notable and frustratingly commonplace. The incident itself caused outrage at the time. Eugene Woodside was doing what children should be doing, sitting at home doing his homework, when a stray bullet came through the wall and killed him. The commonplace aspect comes about because it is far, far too routine for court cases to drag on many years before they come to court – with many falling by the wayside, which is justice for no one. In this particular case, Justice Fitzpatrick’s ruling makes clear that the prosecution was aware that a specific witness wanted to testify anonymously as far back as November 2017 – yet it was only on December 1 this year, on the eve of trial, that an application to do so was filed. This was despite there being three separate deadlines set by the court for the filing of such an application – in September 2023, January 2024 and September this year. All were missed, with no explanation provided for the missed deadlines. The prosecution even stated that it would proceed to trial without the anonymity filing after the September deadline this year, and that the witness would testify without anonymity if needed. And yet, as the trial date arrived two and a half months later, the court was asked to consider an anonymity filing which would have again delayed the trial which had already been on hold for so long. The next available date would have been March 2027, nearly ten years after the murder. The court denied the application. Justice Fitzpatrick wrote of the “obvious prejudice to the accused” by delaying their long-awaited trial. Remember, a trial is to find someone guilty or to find someone innocent. Justice can belong to either side. In this case, the men were acquitted after the prosecution decided not to provide any witnesses after their application for anonymity was rejected. They walk free – but why did it take so long to come to that conclusion? This is not the first time Justice Fitzpatrick has taken a firm line on delays in criminal proceedings. The judge, a Canadian appointed in January this year,
warned in March that delays in criminal proceedings could “crush this system”. He said: “I am anxious about the delay in this jurisdiction. It is profound.” Justice Fitzpatrick was speaking as he raised concerns over outstanding evidence and scheduling in the high-profile case involving former Chief Superintendent Michael Jonson, attorney Bjorn Ferguson, and Sgt Deangelo Rolle – accused of bribery-related charges after voice notes circulated of alleged conversations between Johnson, Ferguson and Michael Fox Jr, a suspect in a bank security vehicle heist who was later murdered. When he asked for a timeline, the prosecutor said it would “take a while”. The Justice urged both sides to prepare efficiently and also questioned the lengthy witness list, calling many of the witnesses “completely irrelevant”. The common thread here is efficient case management. Getting the paperwork done at the opportune moment rather than the last moment. Presenting the evidence that you need to make your case not overburdening a jury with irrelevant testimony that will cloud the issue. Doing what is needed to proceed with the trial at the first opportunity, not the third, or fourth, or fifth. In the case of one of the men accused in the trial that prompted this ruling, it was his tenth trial date. Prolonging cases leaves both victims and the accused in limbo. Court cases that do not reach trial for seven, eight, nine, even more than ten years serve no one. Those years in between hang heavy on the shoulders of all. Is this, as Justice Fitzpatrick writes, because of a culture of complacency? Prosecutors have since argued a comment regarding complacency was wrong. Either way, the story of this trial is the story of too many trials, plagued by delays. Too often, we have seen cases where police officers have not shown up. Too often, delays because of lawyers not being present. And every delay pushes back the next case, and the next case. Justice Fitzpatrick’s words should be an alarm bell. It should be heard and responded to by the present government, and the would-be governments that hope to replace the current one. It is not always just a matter of more courts, more judges, more money. What can be done to streamline the system we have now? There should be an eagerness to do this – after all, every day the wait for a trial is reduced is a day less waiting for justice, is a day less waiting to clear a name, is a day less before the prison door slams on the guilty. People are truly hurting as they wait in the hope of justice – and giving up on the chance of it ever happening as the wait goes on. Justice Fitzpatrick is right to be concerned. We hope those who would lead our nation see fit to respond.
Have a cool, fun, interesting, amazing photo? Have it featured here in The Tribune’s picture of the day! Email your high quality image to pictureoftheday@tribunemedia.net A GREY heron patrols the shoreline.
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Volume confused with vision EDITOR, The Tribune. THE recent public discourse in The Bahamas has been invigorated by prominent discussions on just a few of the many issues facing our country: transparency, border preparedness, and election integrity. While it is encouraging to see increased public engagement, it is essential to clearly differentiate between “raising concerns” and “proposing solutions.” This distinction has become increasingly unclear. Speaking loudly about enduring national issues does not, in itself, represent true leadership. For nearly a decade, Bahamian academics, civil society leaders, policy experts, journalists, and everyday citizens have been sounding the alarm on issues such as migration pressures, weak institutional capacity, electoral reform, and the need for transparent governance. They have done this without celebrity status, without million-dollar platforms, and often without access to microphones that amplify their voices. Their efforts were not lacking in substance; rather, they were lacking in recognition. To suggest, either explicitly or implicitly, that these issues are only now coming to light ignores the years of dedicated, often overlooked work by Bahamians. They have been engaged in analysis, advocacy, and community involvement long before these topics
LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net became popular or politically advantageous. More importantly, while Rick Fox has expressed concerns that resonate with the public, he has not yet provided a comprehensive and actionable strategy that addresses the scale and complexity of the issues he describes. Recognising deficiencies is not the same as solving them. Effective governance demands more than just raising questions; it requires the development of policy frameworks, legislative planning, institutional reform proposals, fiscal strategies, and clear implementation pathways. This gap is significant because of the office he now seeks. There is a fundamental difference between advocacy or activist organisations and the role of a Member of Parliament (MP). Advocacy groups are designed to apply pressure, provoke change, and bring attention to issues. In contrast, MPs operate within a constitutional system where the authority to set the agenda rests with the Cabinet and the Prime Minister, rather than individual members. An MP does not govern solely through moral influence; instead, an MP governs through caucus discipline, legislative negotiations, committee work, and alignment with a governing programme.
Without a clearly defined governing framework, it’s uncertain how the concerns being raised will translate into real outcomes once they reach Parliament. How will these reforms be advanced within a Cabinet-driven agenda? What tradeoffs will be necessary? Which legislative priorities will take precedence, and which issues will be deferred? These questions are not merely academic; they represent the distinction between rhetoric and actual results. The concern isn’t that Fox is raising important issues; rather, it’s the growing belief that mere visibility equates to viability and that volume is confused with vision. The Bahamas doesn’t need another cycle of performative accountability followed by institutional inaction. It requires leaders who can transition from diagnosis to design and from critique to construction. If we are genuinely committed to national progress, we must stop equating attention with effectiveness. The country has heard many voices on these issues before; voices that were worth listening to then and still are now. What Bahamians should demand from any aspiring leader is not just the courage to speak, but also the ability to govern effectively. E M SOPHIA-CHOKHMAH Freeport, Grand Bahama December 21, 2025.
Family demands answers after father of four shot by police
THE TRIBUNE
By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net
A GRAND Bahama family is demanding answers after a father of four was shot by police in Eight Mile Rock on Sunday afternoon, insisting he was unarmed and posed no threat when officers opened fire. Cecil Celo Similien said his brother, Jorel Saltine, 49, was shot outside their home in Russell Town. He claimed no weapon or drugs were found on Mr Saltine and said no ambulance was called to the scene before police took him into custody. “I was home when I heard was a gunshot,” he said. “I came out, and I heard that my little brother got shot in the yard.” Police said the incident began shortly after 5pm on Sunday, December 28, when officers on patrol saw a man in the area of Cemetery Road who ran when he spotted them. Officers pursued the man and issued commands for him to stop, but he allegedly failed to comply. According to police, the suspect was seen holding his waist during the chase and entered an abandoned building. When he exited, officers alleged he pointed a black object in their direction. Fearing for their safety, one officer discharged his
Tuesday, December 30, 2025, PAGE 7
service weapon, striking the suspect in the right foot. Police said the man was arrested and taken to Rand Memorial Hospital, where his injuries were assessed as non-life-threatening. After receiving treatment, he was discharged and taken to Central Police Station, where he remains in custody. Mr Similien said police later contacted the family and asked them to bring medication for his brother to the station. “I heard the bullet was still in his leg, and the police went to the hospital, took him out the hospital and carried him to Central Police Station, which is not right,” he said. “That could have never happened in the United States. Any question that they needed to ask would have been done in the hospital.” He described the shooting as unjustified, particularly if his brother was running away at the time. “If you chasing an individual and this individual have his back turn, shouldn't you give a warning shot?” he asked. “But in The Bahamas, we got this thing that the police is always right, which is wrong.” “At the end of the day, we have to be civilised. If an individual is not harming your life, you can’t put their life in harm either,” he said. Mr Similien also
JOREL SALTINE challenged police claims that his brother had a weapon. “If you shoot a man, shouldn't you all have to wait until the ambulance come? Now, all of a sudden, you are saying that he had a gun on him. If you shoot a man and he fall, you supposed to search him, see if he has any weapon on him.” “He had no weapon on him, and no drugs.” He further claimed the officer involved had previously been warned by the courts not to enter their
yard and accused senior officers of covering up misconduct. “It is a shame when the system that's supposed to be protecting the citizen is the same system that is corrupt and abusing their power,” he said. “It's not right.” “We are upset about this. The government needs to do something about it. The prime minister, I don't want him to think he's only there to govern what is going on as far as looking out to bring jobs into the country. No. We are Bahamian citizens.”
Mr Similien said he has little faith in the complaints process concerning such incidents. “To go lodge a complaint is just like you writing something and you taking it and fold the paper up and throw it in the garbage,” he said. “I walked in the station to make a complaint, you know what the officer told me? ‘Man, get from out here.’ Why? Because I have locks, because I am a Rasta?” “They ain’t find nothing on my brother.” “It’s not only our family,
but there are many other families it happened to. Once a family lets it go under the rug, it's going to keep on happening.” Police said investigations into the matter are continuing. The Complaint and Corruption Branch of the Royal Bahamas Police Force is responsible for receiving and investigating complaints against officers and accepts reports in person at police stations, by letter or email to Police Headquarters in New Providence, and by telephone.
Man killed on Christmas Eve after buying gifts for kids By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Chief Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net A 25-YEAR-OLD mechanic who had just finished buying Christmas gifts for his children was shot and killed on Christmas Eve, leaving his family, friends and co-workers in shock and pushing the country’s murder count to 83 for the year. Christopher Mott was found dead inside a red Nissan Cube with multiple gunshot wounds near the intersection of Graham Drive and Lime Streets shortly after 7pm on Wednesday. Carson Strachan, Mott’s co-worker, friend and neighbour, said the young father was devoted to his two daughters and had been eagerly looking forward to spending the holidays with them.
VEHICLE DRIVEN by man fatally shot on Christmas Eve on Graham and Lime Streets. Photo: Nikia Charlton “He just had a daughter who just born,” he said. “I mean, he really
loved his kids. He used to brag about them every day. He just did tell me
‘bey Carson, I already buy all they presents and gifts and everything.
Everybody straight’.” Mr Strachan said he and Mott had argued earlier on the day of the killing, but stressed that the issue was resolved before the shooting. He said Mott later went to a cousin and asked him to speak with him, but he told the cousin there was no problem between them. He said he fell ill hours before the shooting, experiencing a runny nose, watery eyes, headaches and drowsiness, and went home without speaking to Mott again. Shortly afterwards, he received a call with the news. “I said, what? When bey? I said how? Where?” he said. “I said nah, nah, nah, and I hopped off my bed, throw back on my clothes and ride straight back there.” Mr Strachan said
Mott’s death has stunned employees at the Beaches and Park Authority, where he worked as a mechanic. Yesterday marked their first day back at work after the holiday weekend, and he described the atmosphere as heavy and subdued. “Everybody felt lost,” he said. “ Not much talking. Everyone was in their own corner and in their own mood. Nobody was messing with nobody. Nobody was talking with nobody.” He described Mott as outspoken and hardworking, with a deep love for the water. Mr Strachan said his friend had hoped to buy a few boats and another jet ski and spoke often about his plans for the future. Police have not released details about a suspect or motive.
Father accused of locking up woman Man getas 30-month jail sentence and three-week-old remanded to jail after he was found with loaded Glock By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net A 20-year-old man was remanded to prison yesterday after being accused of unlawfully detaining the mother of his infant child and their three-week-old son inside his Abaco home following a domestic dispute last week. Police allege the
defendant, whose name is being withheld to protect the identity of the child, locked the young woman and infant inside his Marsh Harbour residence against their will after a verbal altercation on December 22. Prosecutors claim the woman was injured during the incident and that the infant was subjected to unnecessary suffering.
The defendant pleaded not guilty to charges of unlawful detention, causing harm and cruelty to children before Senior Magistrate Shaka Serville. He was remanded to prison pending a bail hearing scheduled for today. Inspector Cordero Farrington prosecuted the matter, while Alphonso Lewis represented the accused.
By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net A MAN was sentenced to 30 months in prison after admitting to having a loaded firearm on East Street on Boxing Day. Zhavargo Rolle, 30, was
found with a black Glock .40 pistol and seven rounds of ammunition at around 3pm. He pleaded guilty to charges of possession of an unlicensed firearm and possession of ammunition before Magistrate Lennox Coleby.
Rolle was sentenced to 30 months at the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services and was informed of his right to appeal the sentence. Assistant Superintendent of Police Lincoln McKenzie prosecuted the matter.
Fifth suspect charged with theft of $60k from Leonard’s Air Conditioning By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net A FIFTH suspect has been charged in connection with the theft of $60,000 worth of electronics, appliances and tools from an air-conditioning business on Wulff Road earlier this month. Police allege Chico “Geico” Young, 39, and
accomplices stole the items from Leonardo’s Air Conditioning between December 7 and 15. Young’s co-accused — Peterson “American” Louis, 40, Kervins “Ashley Dames” Lorgil, 50, Alfredo “Fredo” Destamar, 50, and Sharron Bastian, 43 — were arraigned last week. Young pleaded not guilty to charges of
stealing from a shop and receiving before Magistrate Abigail Farrington. He was granted bail in the sum of $7,000 with one or two sureties and will be fitted with a monitoring device. He was warned not to interfere with witnesses or risk having his bail revoked. The case is scheduled for trial on February 6, 2026.
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THE TRIBUNE
Trump says the US ‘hit’ a facility along shore where he says alleged drug boats ‘load up’ PALM BEACH Associated Press PRESIDENT Donald Trump has indicated that the US has “hit” a dock facility along a shore as he wages a pressure campaign on Venezuela, but the US offered few details. Trump initially seemed to confirm a strike in what appeared to be an impromptu radio interview Friday, and when questioned Monday by reporters about “an explosion in Venezuela,” he said the US struck a facility where boats accused of carrying drugs “load up.” “There was a major explosion in the dock area where they load the boats up with drugs,” Trump said as he met in Florida with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. “They load the boats up with drugs, so we hit all the boats and now we hit the area. It’s the implementation area. There’s where they implement. And that is no longer around.” It is part of an escalating effort to target what the Trump administration says are boats smuggling drugs bound for the United States. It moves closer to shore strikes that so far have been carried out by the military in international waters in the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific Ocean. The US military said it conducted another strike
PRESIDENT DONALD Trump attends a joint news conference with Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy following a meeting at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago club, Sunday in Palm Beach, Florida. Photo: Alex Brandon on Monday against a boat accused of smuggling drugs in the eastern Pacific Ocean, killing two people. The attacks have killed at least 107 people in 30 strikes since early September, according to numbers announced by the Trump administration. Trump declined to say if the US military or the CIA carried out the strike on the
dock or where it occurred. He did not confirm it happened in Venezuela. “I know exactly who it was, but I don’t want to say who it was. But you know it was along the shore,” Trump said. Trump first referenced the strike on Friday, when he called radio host John Catsimatidis during a program on WABC radio and
discussed the US strikes on alleged drug-carrying boats. “I don’t know if you read or saw, they have a big plant or a big facility where they send the, you know, where the ships come from,” Trump said. “Two nights ago, we knocked that out. So, we hit them very hard.” Trump did not offer any additional details in the
interview. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth or one of the US military’s social media accounts has in the past typically announced every boat strike in a post on X, but there has been no post of any strike on a facility. The Pentagon on Monday referred questions to the White House, which did not immediately
respond to a message seeking more details. The press office of Venezuela’s government did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Trump’s statement. Trump for months has suggested he may conduct land strikes in South America, in Venezuela or possibly another country, and in recent weeks has been saying the US would move beyond striking boats and would strike on land “soon.” In October, Trump confirmed he had authorized the CIA to conduct covert operations in Venezuela. The agency did not immediately respond to a message seeking comment Monday. Along with the strikes, the US has sent warships, built up military forces in the region, seized two oil tankers and pursued a third. The Trump administration has said it is in “armed conflict” with drug cartels and seeking to stop the flow of narcotics into the United States. Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has insisted the real purpose of the US military operations is to force him from power. White House chief of staff Susie Wiles said in an interview with Vanity Fair published this month that Trump “wants to keep on blowing boats up until Maduro ‘cries uncle.’”
THE TRIBUNE
Tuesday, December 30, 2025, PAGE 15
One Family: Final touches ahead of New Year’s Parade
MEMBERS OF ONE FAMILY Junkanoo Group put the final touches on costume pieces as they hope to make it two-straight wins by capturing first prize again on New Year’s Day. Photos: Nikia Charlton
IMMORTALS JUNKANOO GROUP
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Candace Fields Bahamian scientist returns home to lead shark research
“For as long as I can remember, I always wanted to be a marine scientist of some sort. I always had a fascination for the ocean and its inhabitants.” By JADE RUSSELL Tribune Staff Reporter jrussell@tribunemedia.net CANDACE Fields, a Bahamian marine scientist who has just earned her PhD, will return home from the United States next month to lead shark research and conservation at the Cape Eleuthera Institute, marking a major milestone for both her career and The Bahamas’ global role in shark protection. Dr Fields, 30, completed her PhD in biology at Florida International University after beginning the programme in the fall of 2020. Her studies were initially disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, which forced her to attend classes virtually before she relocated to Florida in 2021 to continue what became a five-year academic journey. She graduated on December 16. During the commencement speech given by Jeanette Nunez, President of FIU, Candace was singled out as an outstanding scholar recognised globally in her field. Now, she will take up the role of heading the shark research and conservation programme at Cape Eleuthera, where she previously worked and where her interest in advanced research first took shape. Driven by a long-standing passion for marine biology, Dr Fields said her time at the institute pushed her to deepen her scientific skills. Although she initially planned to pursue a master’s degree, she said conversations with advisers encouraged her to aim higher. “I never would have thought this is something that I would have ended up doing,” she said, crediting her family and loved
CANDACE FIELDS ones for helping her reach the milestone. She is the first person in her immediate family to earn a PhD. “For as long as I can remember, I always wanted to be a marine scientist of some sort. I always had a fascination for the ocean and its inhabitants.” “I’ve always enjoyed watching shark programming when I was a kid. It’s something that I when I look back, it’s definitely something that was a consistent desire of mine.” Dr Fields defended her dissertation in October. Titled Understanding Shark Sanctuaries as a Conservation Tool: Impacts of the Bahamian Sanctuary on Key Coastal and Pelagic Species, the research examined how effective The Bahamas’
shark sanctuary has been in protecting shark populations. Her dissertation was structured in three chapters. The first analysed long-term trends in shark populations following the establishment of the sanctuary. The second focused on the critically endangered oceanic whitetip shark, identifying The Bahamas as a key habitat for the species in the Atlantic. The final chapter traced shark fin trade routes from markets in Hong Kong back to their regions of origin. Dr Fields said fear and misunderstanding of sharks remain widespread, but she hopes her research will strengthen protections for the species and reinforce their importance to marine ecosystems. She said her work aims to ensure conservation decisions are driven by data, while also contributing to public education and debate. She also offered advice to aspiring marine biologists, stressing that academic paths do not have to be linear. “My bachelor’s degree is in neuroscience, which has nothing to do with what I’m doing now. So I think you know, if you have a passion or dream to stick with it, and even if you feel that you’ve gotten off course, to remember that it’s always possible to return back to that passion.” Beyond academia, Dr Fields has emerged as an advocate for shark protection and has appeared as an expert in international media, including National Geographic and other conservation platforms. She continues to contribute to research and policy efforts aimed at strengthening protections for sharks and safeguarding marine ecosystems, now bringing that expertise back home.