Premier Dr Natalio D. Wheatley, addressing the First Sitting of the Second Session of the Fifth House of Assembly on Tuesday, January 7, made a passionate appeal for the swift passage of the Police Amendment Bill 2024. The bill, first introduced last December, aims to rectify critical deficiencies in the British Virgin Islands’ legal framework, particularly concerning money laundering investigations and international cooperation.

Premier Wheatley emphasised the importance of compliance with recommendations from the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF). “While these ratings are an indication of our commitment and diligence to satisfying our obligations, they also point out the need for further enhancement of our legal framework,” he stated.

He highlighted specific areas requiring urgent reform, including the investigative powers of law enforcement and the ability to effectively combat financial crimes. He pointed to gaps in recommendation thirty-one and immediate outcomes seven and eight of the CFATF Mutual Evaluation Report (MER).

“The MER discloses that our policing framework lacks the advanced investigative techniques necessary for confronting complex investigations such as controlled deliveries and undercover operations,” Premier Wheatley said. He underscored the need to empower law enforcement with tools for production, search, and seizure, not only for domestic cases but also for international cooperation.

“These amendments are vital to reinforcing our legal framework, enhancing cooperation among domestic and international agencies, and aligning our strategic initiatives with international standards and global best practices,” he added.

Premier Wheatley also reflected on the territory’s historical reputation for peace and low crime rates, contrasting it with current challenges. “Madam Speaker, we all grew up in a Virgin Islands which was peaceful. You could go several years without even having one murder,” he said. Despite recent upticks in crime, he maintained, “We are still relatively low crime.”

He criticised those seeking to politicise the bill, stressing its urgency and importance. “I would not return this new session for a second and third reading unless it was of the utmost urgency,” he declared.

The bill introduces sections 30(5)(b) and 30(5)(c), aimed at bolstering law enforcement’s effectiveness in combating financial offenses and ensuring compliance with international standards. These provisions are designed to enable the confiscation of criminal proceeds, facilitate the return of stolen assets, and deny criminals the benefits of their illegal activities.

“By equipping our law enforcement with the necessary powers and tools to thoroughly investigate and prosecute money laundering offenses, we are not just fulfilling our international obligations but creating an environment that allows for the proper detection and punishment of criminal activities,” the Premier said.

He closed his remarks with a call for collective action to protect the territory’s reputation as a secure financial center. “We must act resolutely to increase our compliance ratings, address the deficiencies identified in the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force Report, and maintain the Virgin Islands’ reputation as a secure and stable financial center,” he urged.
The Police Amendment Bill 2024 is expected to undergo its second and third readings in the coming weeks, with hopes of swift passage to address the pressing legal and policing challenges facing the territory.

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.