Topic: Grand Court
911 operator lauded for lifesaving efforts
During her 17 years at the Department of Public Safety Communications, Chelsea Blake has handled various roles, but her recent efforts to talk an injured man through driving himself to the hospital, earned her unprecedented judicial praise.
Chief justice: Lack of courtrooms have led to backlog
Cayman’s courts continue to be plagued by a backlog of cases and a lack of courtrooms, which is now jeopardising the rights of many defendants to have their cases heard in a prompt and timely manner, Chief Justice Anthony Smellie said at Wednesday's official opening of Grand Court.
Year in review: Cayman’s courts
A look back at Cayman's courts in 2020, from constitutional debates to extradition hearings to quarantine breaches.
Woman pleads guilty to manslaughter
Olga Elizabeth Smith has pleaded guilty to a single charge of manslaughter, in relation to the stabbing death earlier this year of her partner Marvin Xavier Conolly Armendarez, 27.
Mother, daughter convicted in swimming-pool beating
A Grand Court jury returned mixed verdicts against a mother and daughter who beat an elderly Cayman Brac man in a swimming pool.
Man alleges wife and daughter beat him in swimming pool
A 79-year-old Cayman Brac man told a Grand Court jury he had to fight and then flee for his life, after he was allegedly beaten by his daughter and wife with a meat tenderiser and PVC pipe.
Sandra Hill convicted of misusing ICT network
Cayman Marl Road administrator Sandra Teresa Hill has been found guilty of misusing the Information and Communications Technology Law to abuse and harass businessman Matthew Leslie.
Rape trial called off following guilty plea
A Grand Court rape trial has been called off moments before it was set to begin, after the defendant pleaded guilty.
Same-sex partnership bill challenges 500 years of history
Long before the Day and Bodden Bush marriage case reached the courts, same-sex rights had become a contentious topic of debate in the Cayman Islands.
Chantelle Day: ‘It’s a myth most Caymanians don’t support equality’
Caymanian lawyer Chantelle Day has been fighting in the courts for more than two years to have her marriage to wife Vickie Bodden Bush, a nurse from the UK with Caymanian ties, recognised by the Cayman Islands government.
Court of Appeal rules Port Referendum law is constitutional
Cayman’s Court of Appeal has declared the 2019 Port Referendum Law to be compatible with the Constitution and has refused to grant Shirley Roulstone permission to appeal the decision before the Privy Council in the UK.
Stabbing charges sent to Grand Court
A North Side man accused of livestreaming the aftermath of an apparent stabbing on Friday night made his initial Summary Court appearance on earlier today Monday 29 June.
Hill admits making allegations, denies offence
Cayman Marl Road administrator Sandra Teresa Hill told the Grand Court Monday that while it is possible Mathew Leslie might have been offended by her allegations about him, she does not think those comments amounted to harassment because she believed them to be true.
Men cleared in gold smuggling case
Four men accused of money laundering more than $6 million worth of gold were acquitted by a Grand Court jury on Friday.
Court heightens COVID-19 prevention measures
Cayman’s courts have ramped up their emergency contingency plan to meet additional problems presented by COVID-19.
Machete wielding robber turns himself in
A George Town man pleaded guilty to a single count of robbery in Grand Court on Friday.
DeAnthony Russell, 22, admitted to using a machete to rob a woman of her handbag and cell phone.
Attempted murder case set to begin
An attempted murder trial for a man accused of burying a child alive is expected to begin in the Grand Court on Tuesday.
Bodden Town man meets test of insanity
Psychiatrists have concluded that Travis Jarrell Webb, a Bodden Town man accused of burying a child alive in November 2018, has met the test of insanity, a court heard on Friday.
Burglar begs for his life
A man accused of breaking into a West Bay home to steal toiletries appeared in court Monday on a single charge of burglary.
Philip Albert Hoybia Cana, 27, of the Philippines, is alleged to have broken into a North West Point home at around 2:30am on 14 Aug.
Judiciary: Court efficiency remains a priority
Local judicial leaders have said they will continue to prioritise implementing best practices to improve court efficiency.
Prospect man cleared of gun charges
A judge cleared Elton David Webster of George Town on charges of possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition on Wednesday. A Glock 17 9mm handgun and 59 rounds of ammunition had been recovered during a police operation at Webster’s Prospect home in April 2018. Police found the gun and bullets in a bag that was wrapped in a towel and placed behind a microwave, the court heard.
Pastor cleared of forgery charges
A Grand Court jury of five women and two men returned unanimous not guilty verdicts against charges of forgery and uttering a false document.
Former police officer on trial for misconduct in public office
Daniel Ezra Meeks, 34, pleaded not guilty to a charge of misconduct in a public office.
Acting Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions Candia James-Malcolm who is serving as Crown counsel in the trial, told Justice Linda Dobbs that Meeks’ actions were deliberate, and he tried to take advantage of the complainant because she was vulnerable.
Witness refutes claims that pastor forged church documents
In 2012, Murray along with Oral Campbell and Winston Calloo, founded the Bethel Refuge Apostolic Church. From its inception, Murray headed up the church as the main pastor, while the other two men were said to be assistant pastors. Campbell and Calloo were also named in the church’s memorandum and articles of association as directors. However, the two have since denied ever signing any such documents. They also denied giving anyone permission to sign any documents on their behalf.
Man sentenced for burgling four homes
A West Bay man who ransacked four homes during a spate of drug-fuelled burglaries was sentenced to five years and four months behind bars.
Gold smuggling trial sees further delays
The trial for five men on accused laundering millions of dollars worth of gold through Cayman has been delayed yet again.
Gold smuggling trial set to begin
The trial of five men accused of playing varying roles in laundering millions of dollars’ worth of gold through Cayman is set to begin in the Grand Court Monday.
Man jailed for cocaine, ecstasy offences
Axel Dominguez-Ocampo was sentenced to three years in prison on charges relating to cocaine and ecstasy possession.
Men sentenced in million-dollar drug seizure
Two men caught with more than 1,000 pounds of ganja were imprisoned Wednesday for six years.
Rovan Pemo Johnson, 33, and Albert Ray Campbell, 59, both of Westmoreland, Jamaica, were caught with 1,035 pounds of ganja on 24 July this year, when they were intercepted by the Joint Marine Unit 38 nautical miles east of Grand Cayman after their boat engine died.
Multiple government officers convicted in largest-ever corruption case
The third and final instalment of Cayman’s largest-ever corruption trial ended Thursday when a jury delivered three guilty verdicts. The latest verdicts bring the...
Mother of 5 to be sentenced for stealing $400K
A single mother who stole hundreds of thousands of dollars over a two-year period will have to wait a further three weeks to learn...
Crown witness accused of lying
A Crown witness who admitted to breaking into a couple’s home with three other men, was accused of lying when he appeared in court.
Home invasion trial resumes
Handcuffed and sitting in the back of a prison van that was being escorted by a dozen armed police under the watchful gaze of...
Defence makes case in ongoing corruption trial
Attorneys for three women accused of defrauding the government through a scheme to pay to pass Immigration Department English-language tests mounted their defence in the Grand Court this week.
Woman takes stand in corruption trial
On day three of an ongoing corruption trial, the prosecution’s key witness took to the stand.
Wiping tears from her eyes, Elsy Liseth Diaz, 49,...
Immigration corruption trial starts in Grand Court
The trial of three women accused of conspiring to defraud the government began in the Grand Court on Wednesday.
Four sentenced for 450 pounds of ganja
Four men caught with more than 450 pounds of ganja were sentenced in Grand Court Tuesday.
Gun retrial ends in guilty verdict
Sitting with his head hanging low in the dock of the Grand Court on Wednesday afternoon, 39‑year-old Andy Errol Barnes released a deep sigh as the jury returned a unanimous guilty verdict against him on a single charge of possession of an unlicensed firearm.
Indecent exposure captured on video
Grand Court jurors on Tuesday viewed videos that prosecutors say show a man indecently exposing himself to a woman he assaulted.
Jury notice
All Grand Court jurors who are in the 3 July to 1 Oct. 2019 session are advised that the report date of Monday, 12 Aug. has been changed.
Stolen goods lead to 18‑month prison sentence
A man connected with eight burglaries over a two-year period was sentenced to 18 months in prison on Thursday in Grand Court.
Man charged with robbery
Romario Desmond Brown, 19, was remanded in custody Monday when he appeared in Summary Court charged with robbery, following an incident in which a man was robbed of his cellphone at a hotel.
Not guilty verdicts rendered in child rape case
The case of a George Town man accused of raping his stepsister multiple times when she was aged between 5 and 15 ended in not guilty verdicts on Monday afternoon when the complainant was not able to continue her testimony.
Jury notice
All Grand Court jurors who are in the 3 July to 1 Oct. session are advised that the report date of Tuesday, 2 July, has been changed.
Court unveils portrait of Justice Quin
Court officials and staffers joined family members of the late Justice Charles Quin on Wednesday to honour the Grand Court judge who passed away earlier this month.
Trial involving rape of minor begins
The Grand Court trial of a George Town man accused of raping his stepsister multiple times when she was between the ages of five and 15 began Friday with a summation of the facts by crown counsel Darlene Oko. The trial is being conducted by judge alone in the courtroom of Justice Roger Chapple.
Jury notice
The Judicial Administration is advising Grand Court jurors who are in the 3 April to 2 July session that the report date of Monday, 17 June, has been changed.
Sentence reduced in theft conviction
The Grand Court heard the appeal of a woman convicted for theft and making a false document and determined Wednesday that both convictions were fairly made.
Changes to Cayman trusts law take effect
Amendments to the trusts law, which aim to provide greater certainty and clarity to clients by expanding the powers of the Grand Court to set aside mistakes by trustees without having to find a breach of fiduciary duty, are going to take effect on 14 June.
Justice Quin passes away
Grand Court judge Charles Quin passed away at his home on Friday.
Ganja pleas voided, case sent to higher court
Four Jamaican men who had previously pleaded guilty to possessing more than 400 pounds of ganja had their pleas voided Tuesday and their case sent from Summary Court to Grand Court.
Cubans grapple with government over legal aid
Seven Cuban migrants who successfully appealed the handling of their asylum cases before the Grand Court will find themselves back at square one and without the aid of a lawyer.
Jury report date of 27 May changed
Grand Court jurors in the 3 April to 2 July session are advised that the 27 May report date has been changed. Jurors should instead report for duty on 3 June at 9:45a.
Mixed verdicts in prostitution trial
In Grand Court on Wednesday, Justice Marlene Carter found Wayne Carlos Myles guilty of six charges relating to prostitution and not guilty to five other charges.
EDITORIAL – Toward a more efficient system of justice
When it comes to parties and banquets, it can be perfectly acceptable to arrive ‘fashionably late’. In other situations, there is no latitude for delays. This applies to spaceship launches, New Year’s countdowns – and courtroom procedures.
New Caymanian attorney at Mourant
Adam Barrie has completed his articles of clerkship and is now an associate in the litigation team at Mourant in the Cayman Islands.
Man charged for firearm, burglary conspiracy
Carlos Jameel Bustillo, 21, appeared in Summary Court on Monday, when three charges against him were transmitted to the Grand Court for mention on Friday, May 17.
Judge sets Grand Court trial dates
Justice Marlene Carter presided in Grand Court on Friday, when she set trial dates for several defendants who have pleaded not guilty to the various charges against them.
Cayman holds National Day of Prayer
The recent Grand Court same-sex marriage ruling was a major topic during Cayman’s observance of a National Day of Prayer on Wednesday.
Jury hears woman’s interview about firearm
Grand Court jurors heard and saw an interview on Tuesday given by a female cruise ship passenger who has pleaded not guilty to possession of an unlicensed firearm in Cayman on Feb. 3.
Show of support for gay community
Colourfully clad and waving rainbow flags, more than 100 people gathered in George Town Sunday to show support for Cayman’s LGBT community.
Former tennis pro remanded into custody
Former tennis pro Robert Todd Seward was remanded into custody Tuesday and defence attorney Prathna Bodden indicated that he will plead guilty in Grand Court on Monday.
Trial begins in pimping case
Trial began in Grand Court on Monday for Wayne Carlos Myles, who pleaded not guilty to living off the earnings of prostitution or attempting to do so, between July 1, 2014, and June 17, 2016.
Walkers admits new Caymanian attorney
Zacharie Caudeiron has completed his articles of clerkship at Walkers and has been called to the Cayman Islands Bar.
Residence/status ‘scam’ trial begins
Trial began in Grand Court on Thursday for a woman accused of obtaining more than $1.9 million by deception in what Crown counsel Toyin Salako called a “scam” involving permanent residence and Caymanian status.
Three immigration officers found guilty of fraud conspiracy
Of five immigration officers charged with conspiracy to commit fraud on the government, three were found guilty by a Grand Court jury on Tuesday, with the other two officers found not guilty.
Car fire charges sent to Grand Court
Charges arising from a car fire were transmitted to Grand Court on Tuesday, when Wayne David Wright Jr. appeared in Summary Court on 12 charges, including two for arson.
Jury notice
All Grand Court jurors in the January-April 2019 session are advised that their report date has been changed. They are now required to report for jury duty on Monday, Feb. 18, at 9:45 a.m.
Grand Court dates set; mentions include two firearm cases
In Grand court on Friday, Justice Robin McMillan set dates for a trial, a further mention and two sentencing hearings for defendants who pleaded guilty to possession of an unlicensed firearm.
Ambulance called for second time in 2 days during trial
A woman attending a Grand Court trial was taken to hospital by ambulance on Thursday after she apparently missed a step and fell while leaving the spectators gallery in Court One.
Medical emergency interrupts trial
The trial of five immigration officers and two civilians was interrupted on Wednesday when the man serving as Spanish-language interpreter had a medical emergency. Witnesses said court recessed at 10:56 a.m. after the man indicated a need to go to the hospital. Earlier he had asked for cold water, which one of the defendants provided to him.
Stabbing case sent to Grand Court
The stabbing occurred at a residence on Watlers Drive shortly before midnight on Wednesday, Jan. 30. A police press release indicated that the defendant and another man had an altercation that resulted in the victim receiving a knife wound.
