Topic: Grand Court
Court grants review of five permanent residency cases
Five permanent residence applicants have been granted requests for Grand Court judicial review hearings following claims that they suffered financial damages as a result of the government’s years-long delays in hearing their applications.
Another lawsuit filed against Beechwood Re
A group of related entities, including Cayman-based reinsurer Beechwood Re, and two of its former executives are being sued for illegally obtaining nearly US$100 million of proceeds from the sale of a defunct oil company to keep afloat the allegedly fraudulent U.S. hedge fund Platinum Partners.
Immigration denies 12 of 13 permanent residence cases
An administrative review of permanent residence applications by the Cayman Islands Immigration Department that took place over two days last week ended with 12 out of 13 people being denied that status.
Two more permanent residency challenges filed in July
A teacher and a commodities trader are the latest permanent residence-seekers to challenge government’s delays in hearing their applications to remain in the territory for the rest of their lives. Applications for judicial review were filed last month on behalf of Samantha Shields and Justin Colgan.
Jury notice
Jurors for the current Grand Court session are advised that they need not attend on Monday, July 31. Instead, they should report on Monday, August 7.
Jury finds man guilty in firearms trial
Michael Fernando Jefferson, 24, was remanded in custody on Wednesday after a Grand Court jury found him guilty of possession of firearms. Jefferson was charged with possession of a .38 auto caliber Bryco pistol and two rounds of live ammunition.
Indecency trial starts for former coach
Trial began in Grand Court on Thursday for former Cayman track coach Ato Modibo Stephens, who is accused of indecently assaulting a 14-year-old female member of his track club.
Driver reached 127 mph in fatal accident
An Audi A4 was traveling at approximately 127 miles per hour on West Bay Road when it collided with a curb, crashed and burst into flames, causing the death of 21-year-old Jessie Perry in September 2015.
American’s firearm charges sent to Grand Court
Charges relating to importation of ammunition and possession of unlicensed firearms were sent to Grand Court on Wednesday when defendant David Dean Meadors appeared before Magistrate Grace Donalds.
Man pleads guilty to firearm charges
Two charges relating to the attempted robbery of an armored truck in February were admitted to in Grand Court on Friday.
Business in brief: Cayman Shipping Registry No. 1 on ‘White List’
The Cayman Islands Shipping Registry, a division of the Maritime Authority of the Cayman Islands, has been listed as No. 1 on the “White List” in the 2016 annual report of the Paris MoU on Port State Control, a reflection of its ship safety and pollution prevention record.
Security guard acquitted in wrongful confinement case
A 44-year-old man was acquitted in Grand Court Tuesday on charges of wrongful confinement and indecent assault stemming from an alleged incident with a 15-year-old boy.
Man in court for attempted murder
Jaron Calvin Solomon, 28, appeared in Summary Court on Monday, charged with attempted murder and eight other offenses arising from an alleged stabbing at an East End business last Thursday.
Sentencing delayed in indecent assault case
Sentencing was delayed Monday in the case of a former teacher’s aide who pleaded guilty to indecently assaulting four girls who were students at a government primary school in 2014.
Accountancy firms contest double charge
Government’s attempts to collect two sets of business licensing fees from accountancy firms amounts to unfair double taxation that is not supported by the wording of the legislation, lawyers for five major firms argued in Grand Court Wednesday.
Five firearm sentences scheduled for Friday
The list for Grand Court this week shows that Justice Michael Wood is scheduled to sentence five men on Friday in separate cases of possession of unlicensed firearms.
NEW: Webster guilty of indecent assault, gross indecency
Former political candidate Errington Webster was found guilty Tuesday afternoon of three counts of indecent assault on a girl of 13 and one count of gross indecency.
Judge chastises police over interview without lawyer
A man accused of indecent assault was found not guilty last week after Grand Court Justice Michael Wood learned that the defendant had not been told that he had the right to an attorney without having to pay. The man, who required an interpreter, was charged with indecently assaulting a female in February 2016.
Teen claims Webster paid her for topless photo
The teenage girl former political candidate Errington Webster is charged with indecently assaulting told a jury Wednesday that Webster had paid her to send him a topless photograph of herself.
Man charged with firearm offense, dangerous driving
Leshawn Forrester, 23, was charged Tuesday with a pair of crimes stemming from a late-night weekend encounter with police in which he allegedly drove through a roadblock.
Fireman loses job 2 days after being jailed for firearm offense
Two days after being sentenced in Grand Court to five-and-a-half years in prison for a firearm offense, Fabian Oliver Thompson lost his job as an officer with the Cayman Islands Fire Service.
Retiring judge salutes Cayman’s attorneys
Instead of heading to the door of the judge’s chambers, Grand Court Justice Malcolm Swift strode toward the door to the lobby, opened it wide and stepped back for the stream of lawyers who entered and took seats throughout the room.
South Sound gun case to go to Grand Court
John Brandon Smith appeared in Summary Court on Tuesday, when he elected to have firearm charges against him tried in Grand Court. The unlicensed handgun and 12 rounds of ammunition were found by police in the South Sound home of a local businessman on May 2.
Attempted murder, wounding charges sent to Grand Court
A 21-year-old resident of Bodden Town appeared in Summary Court on Thursday facing charges from a shooting incident along Eastern Avenue in the early hours of April 27.
Attempted murder charge sent to Grand Court
Ronald Truman Bodden of a Cayman Brac address appeared in Summary Court in Grand Cayman on Tuesday afternoon, charged with attempted murder.
Offshore Alert: Chief Justice ‘needs to get act in order’ over copy ban
The owner of Offshore Alert, David Marchant, used his annual conference in Miami on Monday to criticize Cayman’s Chief Justice Anthony Smellie over a change in court policy that restricted the photocopying of public records.
Not guilty pleas entered after night club incident
Three defendants entered pleas of not guilty in Grand Court last week, when charges were put to them arising from an incident outside the Fete Night Club in the early hours of Saturday, Feb. 4.
Ex-government clerk cleared of theft, false accounting
Former government clerk Atisa Ebanks had formal verdicts of “not guilty” entered in her favor on Wednesday after a brief appearance in Grand Court.
Court clamps down on open records policy
An apparent change in policy is making it more difficult for people to access Cayman Islands court documents. A sign posted on the third floor of Kirk House informs visitors that they are allowed to access court records but not permitted to make any copies of the documents.
Jury notice
All Grand Court jurors who are in the April 5–July 4 session are now advised that they are to report for jury duty on Monday, May 1, at 9:45 a.m.
Candidate challenges of ‘constitutional importance’
The first of what is expected to be three eligibility challenges to candidates in Cayman’s May general election came before the Grand Court Tuesday, with George Town South candidate Alric Lindsay appearing to answer the case.
Lawsuit filed against company in construction worker’s death
A writ has been filed with the Grand Court claiming negligence and lack of due care led to the death of a Cayman Islands construction worker who was crushed beneath a concrete slab last spring.
Murder sentence could depend on age
Chakane Jameile Scott, known as CJ, appeared in Grand Court on Friday to be sentenced more than four years after he was found guilty of murdering Asher McGaw in East End in September 2011.
Three candidates face eligibility challenges
Constitutional challenges were filed on Wednesday and Thursday against three independent candidates by the Cayman Islands Elections Office.
2 men sentenced to 12 and 15 years for illegal firearm possession
Walter Jordan McLaughlin was sentenced to 12 years imprisonment after a jury found him guilty of possessing an unlicensed .38 revolver.The same jury found Keith Rohan Montaque guilty of possessing the .38 revolver and a 9mm pistol. He received two sentences of 15 years.
Robbery charge sent to Grand Court
Two West Bay men appeared in Summary Court on Monday facing charges that arose from separate incidents at the Jungle Bar on March 17.
Permanent residence delays affect divorce proceedings
Delays in processing permanent residence applications are affecting other Cayman Islands court matters, in addition to the two legal challenges filed last year, the Cayman Compass has learned.
Teacher’s aide pleads guilty to indecent assault charges
The need for a trialwas averted on Friday when a former teacher’s aide pleaded guilty to indecently assaulting four girls who were students at a government primary school in 2014.At the time of the assaults, two of the girls were six years old, one was seven and one was 10.
Youth found guilty of West Bay robberies
A Grand Court jury found a young person guilty of two robberies of a neighborhood store after the trial concluded on Thursday.The defendant was 15 at the time of the incidents. By law young persons may not be identified.
Voters challenges, nomination day locations announced
Formal objections to the Cayman Islands voters list are set to occur next week, with six hearings taking place in five days.
Syed found guilty on all 12 counts
Nearly a decade after he left the Cayman Islands claiming to be suffering from serious health issues, former college president Hassan Syed has been convicted of stealing more than $500,000 from his former employer.
Defense: Smitten Syed pathetic and reckless, but not a thief
Former university president Hassan Syed was a “pathetic middle-aged man” who acted recklessly while “in the throes of a passionate love affair,” his attorney claimed. But, he said, his client had never intended to permanently deprive the college of the funds.
Rape, indecent assault charges sent to Grand Court
A man accused of rape and indecent assault had the charges transmitted to Grand Court when he appeared in Summary Court on Monday afternoon. The defendant, 38, of a West Bay address, is accused of committing the acts on Jan. 2.
Teen gets six years after admitting to stabbing
Justin Kyle Jackson, 18, was sentenced to six years’ imprisonment on Wednesday after admitting that he had stabbed a man six times, with two of the wounds described as life-threatening.
Burglary charges include attempted rape
Ronnie Rodney Ebanks, 48, appeared in Summary Court on Friday, Feb. 17, charged with offenses arising from an incident at a West Bay Road condominium on Monday, Feb. 13. Ebanks, of a West Bay address, is charged with attempted rape, burglary, indecent assault and theft.
Syed trial focuses on Civil Service College
A government accountant testified in Grand Court on Monday that he processed numerous payments to the University College of the Cayman Islands in connection with the project to set up a civil service college.
Permanent residence legal challenge granted court hearing
A legal challenge to Cayman’s permanent residence grant system has been allowed to proceed to a full hearing before the Grand Court. A hearing date had not been set as of Friday afternoon.
Son pleads guilty to gun charges, father bailed
Jordan Bryson Powell pleaded guilty in Grand Court Friday to two charges of possessing an unlicensed firearm. He entered his pleas in open court, after which Justice Robin McMillan conducted a bail hearing in chambers for George Lunard Powell, Jordan’s father. Bail was granted.
Road death charge sent to Grand Court
A charge of causing death by dangerous driving was transferred to Grand Court after a preliminary inquiry in Summary Court on Thursday. Noel Vaughn Douglas, 37, was charged with dangerously driving a BMW on Linford Pierson Highway on Sept. 5, 2015, causing the death of Matthew Owens, 31.
Ricketts to serve at least 30 years for murder
Tareek Ricardo Ricketts was sentenced on Tuesday to at least 30 years imprisonment for the murder of Jackson Rainford in December 2012. The victim was 23 when he was fatally shot around 10:30 p.m. on Dec. 16, 2012, along Shedden Road while sitting in the passenger seat of a car driven by his brother.
Man not guilty of indecency charges
Charges were dismissed Wednesday against a man who had pleaded not guilty to two indecent acts involving a 12-year-old girl.
Anti-GM mosquito group launches new campaign
After a judge rejected their bid to halt the release of genetically modified mosquitoes in Grand Cayman, a group of protesters are now seeking to fight their case in the court of public opinion. Kerrie Cox, an attorney with HSM Chambers, held a presentation Tuesday morning.
Man charged with murder, case sent to Grand Court
William Ian Rivers, 38, appeared in Summary Court on Tuesday afternoon, charged with the murder of Mark Travis Seymour, 39, on Saturday, Jan. 28, in West Bay. Rivers, of West Bay, is also charged with possession of an unlicensed firearm, a .357 Sturm Ruger revolver.
Age, jealousy might affect murder sentence
When Jackson Donovan Rainford was fatally shot on the night of Dec. 16, 2012, he was 23 years old. The man found guilty of murdering him, Tareek Ricardo Ricketts, was 21.
Jurors’ report date changed
All Grand Court jurors in the Jan. 11 to April 4 session are advised that the report date of Tuesday, Jan. 24, has been changed. They should report for jury duty on Monday, Jan. 30, at 9:45 a.m. Call the Jury Information line at 244-3899 for the most up-to-date information.
Jury notice
The Grand Court jury report date has been changed. All Grand Court jurors in the Jan. 11 – April 4 session are advised that the report date of Monday, Jan. 16, has been changed and they should now to report for jury duty on Tuesday, Jan. 24, at 9:45 a.m.
Grand Court adjourns charges for man missing at sea since March
Charges against a missing defendant, Gary Owen Mullings, were adjourned without a new date after senior Crown Nicole Petit advised that the prosecution did not wish to withdraw them.
Laid-off MEPCO workers will have to wait for severance
Liquidators have begun dismantling MEPCO, the construction company that closed suddenly in October and laid off more than 50 employees.
Judge urges careful use of electronic tags
A judge has called for more careful use of electronic tags for criminal defendants after a hit-and-run driver had his jail sentence cut because he had spent nearly 20 months on bail under an electronically monitored curfew.
Six years for pointing fake gun at police
Gun crime is the “scourge of the Caribbean,” a judge warned as she sentenced a 23-year-old man to six years’ imprisonment for pointing an imitation firearm at police officers.
Man arrested for teen rape
Police arrested a 32-year-old man accused of raping and indecently assaulting a teenage girl last week.
14 years for wife’s attempted murder
A 44-year-old man who hacked his estranged wife with a machete and then tried to poison her with weed killer was sentenced to 14 years’ imprisonment on Thursday.
Officer sues over dog bite during Cuban breakout
A police officer is attempting to sue a local security firm, claiming she was bitten by one of its dogs amid chaotic scenes as a group of Cubans tried to escape from the Immigration Detention Center.
No case to answer for two men charged with firearm possession
Two men charged with possession of an unlicensed firearm last year were found not guilty on Wednesday after Justice Charles Quin determined that there was no case for them to answer. The judge listed four police-related issues which he described as “regrettable” in his decision to enter not guilty verdicts.
Man sentenced to 14 months for bar stabbing
Travis Arlington Ebanks was sentenced on Wednesday to 14 months’ imprisonment after pleading guilty to inflicting grievous bodily harm. The harm had been life-threatening, defense attorney Nicholas Dixey agreed.
Rum Point home robbery breach of trust, court says
The robbery of a home where the defendant had earlier been hired to carry out some work was a breach of trust, acting Grand Court judge Dame Linda Dobbs said in handing down a sentence of 11 years imprisonment on Thursday.
11 year sentence for Rum Point home invasion
William David McLaughlin-Martinez, 39, was sentenced to 11 years for robbery after being found guilty by a unanimous jury verdict Thursday in relation to a home invasion in Rum Point in which elderly tourists were robbed.
Rum Point home invasion trial starts
Trial began in Grand Court this week for a man charged with robbery and causing grievous bodily harm after a home invasion in Rum Point in January this year. William David McLaughlin-Martinez is accused of being the lookout man as another person went into the premises while a couple and their helper were there.
Judge helps reduce Grand Court case load
The woman who became Britain’s first black female High Court judge will serve as an acting judge for Cayman’s Grand Court. The governor swore in Dame Linda Dobbs this month, according to a press release. Ms. Dobbs served on the U.K. High Court from 2004 to 2013.
Robbers arrived in Cayman by boat, court hears
Two men who pleaded guilty to the Aug. 12 robbery of a Savannah store came to Cayman on a boat that was not supposed to land, Dame Linda Dobbs, acting judge of the Grand Court, heard on Wednesday.
Woman pleads guilty to stealing $420,000 from workplace
Patti Jane Ebanks, a former employee of Security Centre Ltd., pleaded guilty in Grand Court on Monday to stealing $420,281.24 from the business. The theft occurred between April 1, 2010 and June 1, 2013.
Two men acquitted of rape; woman admits lying about firearm
Two men accused of raping a woman were found not guilty Tuesday after a trial by judge alone. The men, one of whom fled Cayman, had admitted to having sexual intercourse with a woman on the same night. Justice Charles Quin pointed out that the main question was whether the woman had consented.
