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New Governor Daniel Pruce Lands in BVI, Set to be Sworn in on Monday
Governor Designate Mr. Daniel Pruce, accompanied by his wife Ms. Rachael Morgan, arrived in the Territory last evening, January 26th.
Mr. Pruce is set to be sworn in as the Governor of the British Virgin Islands on Monday, January 29th.
Expressing his delight upon arrival, Mr. Pruce conveyed gratitude for the warm reception at the airport, stating, “Rachael and I were very grateful for the warm welcome at the airport. I look forward to being sworn in as Governor on Monday. It will be a privilege to serve the people of the islands and to work in collaboration with a wide range of partners to continue to build a secure and prosperous future for BVI.”
With over 30 years of experience in the public service, Mr. Pruce brings a wealth of knowledge to his new role. His recent overseas postings include serving as British Ambassador to the Philippines from 2017 to 2021. Prior to that, he held positions as Deputy Head of Mission at the British Embassy in Madrid from 2012 to 2016 and the British Embassy in Bangkok from 2008 to 2012. Mr. Pruce’s most recent role was as Director of Communication at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) from 2021 to 2022.
The Swearing-In ceremony at the Supreme Court will be live-streamed via GIS from 1:30 p.m., allowing the public to witness this significant event.
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Scrub Island Resort Hosts 2024 Billfish Series, Crowns Champions
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Four Men Cleared of Murder Charges in 2020 Killing of Matthew Daly
Four men accused of the 2020 murder of Matthew Daly were acquitted today after Justice Rajiv Persad upheld a No Case submission presented by their defense attorneys. Edward Crooke, Dajshon Benjamin, Micah Ormond, and K’Vawn Choucoutou had been on trial for five weeks for Daly’s killing on September 10, 2020. The trial, which began on September 16, 2024, concluded with the judge directing the jury to return Not Guilty verdicts for all defendants.
Crooke, Ormond, and Choucoutou left the High Court as free men, with no other legal matters pending. However, Benjamin remained in custody due to a separate guilty plea in a case before the Magistrate’s Court, as confirmed by his attorney, Michael Maduro.
The defense team included Attorney-at-Law Stephen Daniels for Crooke, Valston Graham for Choucoutou, and Valarie Stevens-Gordon for Ormond. The jury, consisting of seven women and two men, heard testimony throughout the trial before being instructed by Justice Persad to clear the defendants of the charges.
Before dismissing the men, Justice Persad urged them to contribute positively to society and avoid returning to the courts. “Make this a turning point,” he advised as they were formally released.
However, after the verdict, officers of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force attempted to serve notices of appeal to the men outside the courthouse. This action was met with strong opposition from the defense attorneys, who argued that the notices were prepared before the judge’s decision was announced. The lawyers advised their clients not to accept the appeal documents, which the men complied with.
Despite the officers’ claims that the documents were timestamped after the judge’s ruling, the defense refused to acknowledge the service, leading to a tense standoff in the courthouse yard.
The case remains in legal limbo as both sides weigh their next steps.
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Quick Action by Firefighters Prevents Major Loss at Tortola Auto Group
A swift response by the Fire and Rescue Services averted what could have been a significant disaster for Tortola Auto Group (TAG) after a fire broke out at one of their storage sites. The blaze, which occurred at the Duff Bottom location behind the Island Department Store, threatened a large number of vehicles but was brought under control before causing widespread damage.
According to reports, the fire started in an area where numerous cars were stored. However, the quick actions of the firefighters, along with TAG staff members, prevented the flames from spreading to the majority of vehicles. Workers were able to relocate most of the cars to safety before the fire could escalate.
A source close to the company stated: “We were able to move most of the cars, thankfully. Yes, we lost a few to the fire, but the vast majority are safe and undamaged.”
While some losses were reported, the combined efforts of the Fire and Rescue Services and TAG’s team ensured that the potential for major damage was minimised. The cause of the fire has not yet been confirmed, and further details are expected as investigations continue.
More information will be provided as it becomes available.
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