THE WASHINGTON POST Special convention issue ABCDE NATIONAL WEEKL Y SPECIAL CONVENTI ONISSUE THE WEEK OF SUNDA Y, JULY 24, 2016 . IN COLLABOR ATION WITH EDITORIAL | PAGE 4 TOURISM STATS: ROSIER THAN ROSA’S REPORT Slight with wave heights of 1 to 3 feet. High of 90 Low of 78 ESTABLISHED 1965 www.caymancompass.com – 50 CENTS – MONDAY JULY 25, 2016 10 PCS 2 LG SIDES 5 BISCUITS 2L PEPSI BRENT FULLER bfuller@pinnaclemedialtd.com The head of Cayman’s Depart- ment of Vehicle and Drivers’ Li- censing said Friday that his in- spectors “have and continue to test vehicles on public roads,” in re- sponse to Cayman Compass ques- tions about an ongoing investi- gation into a July 11 auto crash involving a DVDL inspector. Both the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service and the DVDL are continuing separate investigations into the accident during which a 1996 Toyota Supra vaulted a center median on Crewe Road and went into the opposite lanes of traffic after knocking down a power pole. The police and the vehicle’s owner, fire services fleet manager Johnny Salas, have confirmed that a department vehicle inspector was driving the car when it crashed. A witness, Meloney Syms, who is the Cayman Islands government’s chief of protocol, said the inspector was “zigzagging” in and out of lanes on Crewe Road and appeared to be “racing” in the Toyota. On Friday, DVDL Director David Dixon responded to questions about the incident and the in- spector’s status with the depart- ment. The man returned to work on Monday, July 18. “Our internal investigations con- tinue, and until such time [as they are completed], we cannot make any presumption as to the inspec- tor’s innocence or guilt,” Mr. Dixon said. “The appropriate action will be taken when that process is completed. The vehicle inspector remains as a member of staff with the DVDL.” Police did not respond to Cayman Compass questions about their investigation last week. Mr. Dixon did challenge one as- sertion made by Mr. Salas shortly after the July 11 accident that in- volved the racy Supra, which the DVDL, police continue probe of vehicle inspector’s crash Accountant enters jail ‘early’ Rob Aspinall to plead guilty Thursday BRENT FULLER bfuller@pinnaclemedialtd.com Although he has not for- mally pleaded guilty, Cayman Islands accountant Rob Aspi- nall agreed to be remanded to Northward Prison on Friday to begin serving time on theft and fraud-related charges. The somewhat unusual concession was made, ac- cording to Aspinall’s attorney James Austin-Smith, because his client intended to plead guilty at the earliest opportu- nity and the crimes Aspinall is accused of committing “only re- ally attract one type of sentence [referring to imprisonment].” “That’s an unusual, but I have to say, very sensible sug- gestion,” Grand Court Judge Charles Quin said Friday. Aspinall, who stood in the Grand Court dock for the first time Friday, did not speak on his own behalf. The court set Thursday, July 28, as the date for his plea and sentencing. Mr. Austin-Smith said Aspinall had already agreed to plead guilty in the case and face a sentencing hearing on the same day. It was uncertain whether Aspinall would learn his sen- tence on Thursday. Justice Quin said it was possible the sen- tencing judge might wish to withdraw to consider the matter. “Mr. Aspinall is keen to know his fate as soon as pos- sible,” Mr. Austin-Smith said. Charges filed in June against Aspinall, an investment funds liquidator, included: two counts of theft, two counts of forgery, one count of false ac- counting, five counts of trans- ferring criminal property, one count of transferred crim- inal property, two counts of CHARLES DUNCAN cduncan@pinnaclemedialtd.com Ruling in favor of a same-sex couple, the Immi- gration Appeals Tribunal granted Leonardo Raz- novich’s application to be added to his spouse’s work permit as a dependent. The decision ends 14 months of applications and appeals to the Immi- gration Department. Mr. Raznovich and his husband, who works for Maples and Calder, waited for more than eight months for the appeal decision after the Immigration Department originally re- jected the application to put same-sex partners on the same work permit. The ruling, which could potentially be appealed to Grand Court, does not recognize the men’s mar- riage, but does set a precedent for adding a same- sex spouse to a work permit as a dependent. Mr. Raznovich announced the decision Friday in an email to the media. He said, “This is a tri- umph of natural justice and reflects a profound respect for the rule of law. In the written words of the Tribunal, ‘The Constitution of the Cayman Islands leaves no room for them or the Board to discriminate in circumstances where the current law of the Cayman Islands provides room to grant our application.’” “Love and equality have prevailed,” he said. Mr. Raznovich, a former lecturer at Truman Bodden Law School, and his husband, also an at- torney, married in Argentina in 2012. The couple has been together for more than 16 years. While gay marriage remains illegal in Cayman, Mr. Raznovich said the ruling recognizes the rights of gay couples in the immigration approval pro- cess. He said, “These are rights that opposite-sex married couples have always enjoyed and taken for granted, but until now have been inaccessible to same-sex couples in Cayman; that is, the right of certain individuals to settle here in the Cayman Islands with their loved one without fear of dis- crimination on the basis of sexual orientation.” Accountant Rob Aspinall, left, and his attorney James Austin-Smith report to the Cayman Islands Grand Court on Friday. – PHOTO: MATT LAMERS GAY COUPLE WINS WORK PERMIT APPEAL PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 8 » PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 8 » PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 8 »2 LOCAL NEWS MONDAY JULY 25, 2016 • CAYMAN COMPASS SATURDAY NIGHT: For your viewing pleasure, minors under the age of 18 will not be admitted to any film starting after 6pm, unless accompanied by their parent. y x *Additional charges will apply per 3D ticket requested. - MONDAY - STAR TREK BEYOND 3D (PG13) 1:00 I 4:00 2D I 7:00 I 9:45 2D THE SECRET LIFE OF PETS 3D (PG) 1:10 2D I 3:15 I 7:10 2D I 9:30 GHOSTBUSTERS 3D (PG13) 12:30 I 3:30 2D I 6:45 I 9:45 2D ICE AGE: COLLISION COURSE 3D (PG) 2:00 I 4:30 2D I 7:20 I 9:40 2D THE PURGE: ELECTION YEAR (R) 1:30 I 4:00 I 6:55 I 10:00 THE LEGEND OF TARZAN (PG13) 12:50 I 3:45 I 6:50 I 9:50 Daily Matinees Every Day $8.00 Seniors, Mon-Fri Before 6pm Cayman Cinema@cbcinema6cbcinema6 640-FILM (640-3456) Allegation that Caymanian man forced woman into sex trade in Canada JAMES WHITTAKER jwhittaker@pinnaclemedialtd.com Toronto police fear there may be more victims after a 21-year- old Caymanian man was charged with human trafficking in connec- tion with allegations he forced a woman into the sex trade. Kyle Fraser, 21, who once aspired to compete for the Cayman Islands in the Olympics, is accused of coercing a 23-year-old woman into prostitution in part by verbally and physically as- saulting her and abusing her dog. Investigators believe the woman earned approximately C$200,000 (CI$125,000) for him, which they say he spent on jewelry, expensive clothing, rent and food for himself. Fraser, who is in police custody, was due in court in Toronto this week for a bail hearing. Detective Sergeant Nunzio Tramon- tozzi of the Toronto Police Service’s sex crimes and human trafficking en- forcement unit told the Cayman Com- pass that police released details of the crime to encourage any other victims to come forward. He said in such cases there were often multiple victims, many of whom were vulnerable and reluctant to make a criminal complaint. Though the offense falls under the category of human trafficking, it relates to exploitation, rather than movement of people as the term suggests. In the vast majority of cases in- vestigated by the sex crimes and human trafficking enforcement unit, the victims are Canadian. Prostitution is legal in Canada. The offense comes from exercising control over another person and exploiting them for financial gain. In this case, police allege that Fraser traveled with the woman to hotels in the greater Toronto area to oversee her “dates with clients.” He would assault her and injure her dog to make her comply with all his demands, including turning over her earnings to him, according to a Toronto Police Service press release. Police were contacted after the woman sought hospital attention fol- lowing an assault, the release states. Fraser was charged last week with: 1. Trafficking in Persons by Recruiting; 2. Overcome resistance by attempting to choke, suffocate; 3. Assault; 4. Assault Cause Bodily Harm; 5. Forcible Confinement; 6. Financial/Material Benefit Trafficking Person Over 18; 7. Material Benefit from Sexual Services; 8. Procuring/Exercising Control; 9. Unnecessary Pain/Suffering or Injury to an Animal; 10. Fail to Comply with Probation Order; 11. Fail to Comply with Probation Order; and 12. Fail to Comply with Probation Order. Olympic hopes Fraser, the younger brother of former Olympic swimmers Shaune and Brett, spoke of trying to emulate his older brothers after their successes at London 2012. “I am prepared to work hard to the fullest and take it to the level Shaune and Brett have,” he said in an inter- view with the Cayman Islands Olympic Committee in August 2012, targeting a place on the swim team for the Rio Olympics this year. “I have to work hard and dedi- cate myself to it completely. It all de- pends on how much I can dedicate myself to training over the next two years. If I’ve got this far by training so little, you never know what I can ac- complish. There is plenty of time and I believe I can do it.” Detective Sergeant Nunzio Tramontozzi of the Toronto Police Service’s sex crimes and human trafficking enforcement unit told the Compass that police released details of the crime to encourage any other victims to come forward. More victims possible in human trafficking case Kyle Fraser - PHOTO: TORONTO POLICE SERVICE BRENT FULLER bfuller@pinnaclemedialtd.com Donovan Kellyman pleaded guilty Friday in the Cayman Islands Grand Court to two charges filed against him in a deadly auto-pedestrian accident that occurred in April 2015. Marcia Donaldson, who was walking or jogging along South Sound Road early on April 25, 2015, was struck by the Suzuki Grand Vitara Kellyman drove at around 5 a.m. On Friday, Kellyman pleaded guilty to causing death by careless driving and to driving while intoxi- cated and causing death. Kellyman was allowed to be released on bail until his sentencing date, Sept. 22, largely because his family told the court that he had to go off island for work. The Crown did not ob- ject to bail, provided a $5,000 surety was given to the court before Kelly- man’s departure on Monday and that proof of his return flight also be provided. “There’s no prospect that he’s not going to return,” Kellyman’s attorney, Lau- rence Aiolfi, said. Prosecutors alleged Kel- lyman had driven “without due care and attention,” thereby causing Ms. Don- aldson’s death. The Crown also alleged that Kellyman’s blood-alcohol level was measured at 0.120, above the legal limit of 0.100. Guilty plea in fatal 2015 smash Accident resulted in death of cyclist on Linford Pierson Highway BRENT FULLER bfuller@pinnaclemedialtd.com Nicholas Patrick Tibbetts pleaded guilty Friday to one criminal charge against him that resulted from a deadly April 2015 hit-and-run car accident. The crash killed a bi- cyclist, 59-year-old Donnie Ray Connor. Tibbetts, 25, an immigra- tion officer, pleaded guilty in the Grand Court to causing death by careless driving. He will face sentencing on Nov. 8, and will be released on bail until that date, Justice Charles Quin ordered. The accident victim died early on April 23, 2015 after he was struck along the side of the road on the Linford Pierson Highway. Mr. Connor’s body was found shortly after the accident by another bicyclist. Tibbetts was arrested on April 26, 2015 after police re- ceived information regarding a damaged vehicle that was suspected of having been involved in the fatal crash. Tibbetts’s attorney, Amelia Fosuhene, requested a social inquiry report be completed on her client before his sen- tencing date. BRENT FULLER bfuller@pinnaclemedialtd.com A teenager pleaded not guilty Friday to charges that he robbed the same employee at the same West Bay minimart in March and April of this year. The boy, who has been designated a “young person” by the court and so cannot be named, is alleged to have robbed Eddie’s #2 Minimart on Birch Tree Hill Road on March 19, taking $930 and five cellphones worth $175 each. It was further alleged the suspect had robbed the same minimart, with the same employee working there, on April 21. During that incident, $434 was taken as well as five ciga- rette rolling paper packs worth $2.25 each. The suspect pleaded not guilty to both charges. A trial date was set for Nov. 21, with a potential earlier date considered, if possible. “In light of his young age, we’ll endeavor to set it earlier,” Grand Court Justice Charles Quin said. Immigration officer pleads guilty in deadly hit-and-run case TEEN PLEADS NOT GUILTY TO ROBBING STORE TWICE The scene of the April 23, 2015 hit-and-run accident where bicyclist Donnie Ray Connor was killed. - PHOTO: BRENT FULLER3 LOCAL NEWS CHARLES DUNCAN cduncan@pinnaclemedialtd.com Members of the Cayman Islands Veterans Association gathered Sunday morning to remember former Governor Thomas Russell. Mr. Rus- sell served with the British Infantry during World War II and founded the local Veterans Association in 1978 during his time as Cayman’s governor. The late governor passed away at age 96 in his native Scotland on July 4. Members of the Veterans Association stood at atten- tion in the Sunday morning sun at Elmslie Church on the waterfront to mark their fellow veteran’s passing. Association Vice Presi- dent Andrew McLaughlin, who presided over the cer- emony, said, “It’s our way of saying goodbye to one of our fallen comrades.” The Veterans Association members, dressed in uniform, lined up facing the stone cross that sits outside the church. They laid a wreath of red poppies at the foot of the cross and marked a mo- ment of silence. A young man played taps, bringing the me- morial to an end. Graham Walker, secretary for the Cayman Islands Vet- erans Association, said he plans to travel to Scotland for Mr. Russell’s funeral on Aug. 4. He said the governor in Cayman will host a re- membrance in George Town, in front of the glass house at 8 a.m. that morning, when it will be 2 p.m. in Scotland and the funeral there will begin. Mr. Russell joined the Black Watch in 1939 and later joined the parachute regi- ment. He fought in Algeria and Sicily. He was involved in the Allied landing in Taranto, Italy, where he was shot in the leg by a German machine gunner during heavy street fighting and taken prisoner. The future Cayman Islands governor spent the remainder of the war in a German POW camp in Poland. German doctors fitted a metal plate to repair Mr. Russell’s shattered thigh bone, which remains in his leg to this day. CAYMAN COMPASS • MONDAY JULY 25, 2016 “It’s our way of saying goodbye to one of our fallen comrades.” ANDREW MCLAUGHLIN Veterans remember Gov. Russell Veterans gathered Sunday to remember Governor Russell. Cayman Islands Veterans Association secretary Graham Walker lays a wreath. - PHOTOS: CHARLES DUNCAN The Cayman Islands Veterans Association holds a moment of silence for the late Governor Thomas Russell.The islands’ most-trusted news source 4 – EDITORIAL – Tourism stats: Rosier than Rosa’s report Opinion&Letters The Cayman Compass welcomes comments, opinions and viewpoints from readers. Letters to the editor can be emailed to editor@pinnaclemedialtd.com, submitted via www.caymancompass.com, sent by post or hand-delivered to the Compass office. MONDAY JULY 25, 2016 • CAYMAN COMPASS We don’t want to make too much of the ever-so- slight decline in air arrivals to the Cayman Islands so far this year, but unfortunately our tourism officials have beat us to the punch. Here are the numbers: Compared to the first half of 2015, air arrival figures have “plummeted” this year by a grand total of 1.41 percent. That’s hardly cause for alarm, especially considering that six-month dip follows six years of sustained growth. On the other side of Cayman’s tourism coin, cruise arrivals have increased by 7 percent compared to the first six months of 2015, and are well on their way to a third consecutive year of growth. (Remember that 2015 cruise numbers were Cayman’s highest in a decade.) Combined visitor numbers – by air and by sea – are up by more than 5 percent compared to this point last year. Taken in the context of overall visitor spending, which remains healthy, then our impartial assessment of this year’s data goes something like this: “The state of Cayman’s tourism industry is strong.” Contrast that with the response from tourism director Rosa Harris: “We are concerned for the future and the impact of Zika and how that might affect certain groups that travel to the Cayman Islands. We know that we are very attractive to the couples market, and for those that are in the phase of their lives that are having families, this directly impacts that group.” Wait … what? Zika? This from the tourism director? While there have been a handful of “imported” cases of Zika in Cayman, to date there has not been one single confirmed case of “locally transmitted” Zika in Cayman. In other words, no one has caught Zika from Cayman mosquitoes. For a public official to link the concepts of “Zika” and “Cayman” in the news media amounts to mar- keting malpractice. Ms. Harris’s remarks are highly irre- sponsible and potentially damaging to the very sector she is charged with promoting and protecting. Cayman, in fact, has so far been a “safe harbor” from Zika in the midst of the Caribbean and Latin America, where the mosquito-borne illness is running rampant. We don’t know how long Cayman will remain free of Zika, but our expectation is that – just like with dengue and chikungunya – our islands will not suffer to the degree of the rest of the region. (Fingers crossed, insect repellent on, GM mosqui- toes at the ready, pending a judge’s discretion.) For that, we credit the continued vigilance of our Mosquito Research and Control Unit and the rela- tively high standard of environmental and public health in Cayman. Rather than fretting about Zika’s adverse effects on Cayman tourism, Ms. Harris and Tourism Minister Moses Kirkconnell should be trumpeting Cayman as a non-Zika alternative to the rest of the Caribbean – where, by the way, stayover tourism is still booming, despite the actual presence of Zika! So much for that excuse. When it’s all said and done, that’s what references to Zika, Canadian economic woes and European ter- rorism are – excuses tossed out by our officials to explain away the lack of exponential tourism growth. Notice that when tourism numbers are flat or declining, our officials tend to blame international or external factors (such as hotel room capacity), but when tourism numbers are soaring, they point to the effectiveness of Cayman Airways or “CaymanKind” sloganeering. Our officials’ actual, limited responsibility toward tourism is to foster a favorable climate for residents and tourists alike. (If you wish to see an example of where our government has slipped up in that regard, look no further than the letter to the editor on the opposite side of this page.) The truth is, as in all industries, “market forces” in tourism are far beyond the control of tourism oper- ators. All they can do is provide the best product possible, to the most possible people, at the most competitive prices. As long as Cayman remains safe, sane and orderly, we have faith in our tourism product, and our outlook for the sector is decidedly sunny. LETTER TO THE EDITOR ‘Tell it to the judge’ My wife and I have just returned from our third trip to Grand Cayman within the past two years; we ab- solutely love it there. We stay at the Cobalt Coast Resort in West Bay as the owner is the most pleasant and courteous in Cayman; even though he is relo- cated from Europe. I have explored the Cayman Spe- cial Economic Zone to relo- cate my business to the is- land; and this trip we were looking at real estate for possible relocation (in addi- tion to snorkeling/Stingray City/beaches and dining, of course). So you can imagine how shocked and disappointed I was to hear, “Just tell it to the judge,” last week. En- closed with this letter are copies of parking tickets is- sued to my rental car – is- sued within 30 minutes of each other by two different Cayman police officers. Maybe I could see why the first one was issued – but we were parked between the yellow parking lines on the pavement, there were sev- eral other non-ticketed cars in the same parking area – and the sign telling me that this was a “no parking” taxi zone was at the complete other end of the block and not even visible from where we (and others) were parked. I took the ticket off the driver’s side door and that is when things took a turn for the stupid-side. It started to rain as my wife and I loaded all our shopping bags into the car. (We have probably spent close to US$15,000 during these three trips – not in- cluding business.) And at that moment the second po- lice officer called me over to her vehicle – while writing up a second ticket. I said I was confused why she was writing me two tickets for the same offense and she said (And I quote): “There is nothing I can do – your court date is listed on the ticket – tell it to the judge.” When I said “Even in Chicago where cops are not as happy as they are here – they have the common sense not to write multiple tickets for the same offense; why did you do that?” The police officer re- plied: “I didn’t – you already had a ticket – this is a new one from me.” I then asked if it was standard procedure for police officers to ticket the same car every 20-30 minutes until the driver shows up. Again – I was told, “Tell it to the judge.” Really. Well – in a clear case of violation of parliamen- tary procedure and basic rights before the courts in any Western republic – both tickets were charged to my credit card at the car rental office the next day. In other words: “We know you won’t be back for your court date – so we will just charge you whatever we want regard- less. We don’t have to be reasonable and show some common sense – and if we make a mistake – so what?” I have since discovered that the island has not ap- proved any requests for per- manent residency in years. Meaning: It appears the Cayman really does not want others to come there any more than for a short visit, no matter what the guys at the SEZ tell me. No wonder it costs so much to relo- cate there. Do I really want to spend $50,000 to bring my business to the island – maybe try to create jobs – and even buy a home there? Why do all of that if things are no different in Grand Cayman than any- where else? Apparently there are people on the island who just do not care. It really is disappointing to have an experience like this on a vacation. It’s even worse when you have to deal with certain kinds of people within the authorities; po- lice officers are ambassa- dors in the public eye. Do you know how many people I told this story to who told me: “That never happens – please don’t let that re- flect on Cayman.” Well, I am trying to do that. But part of the reason I want to re- locate somewhere out of the U.S. now is because this sort of thing is becoming chronic. For example, airlines hire rude people who shouldn’t be in front of customers; we spend hours in line with brain-dead people who can’t write their own name to get a drivers’ license; we can’t order a cheeseburger be- cause some illegal immi- grant who doesn’t speak the language is working behind the counter; if I complain about poor service or unfair business practices or point out some bureaucratic BS, I am told to “Fill out this form and we’ll get back to you …” Nothing gets done – taxes go up – the quality of people drops … you would think the human race has decided to stop evolving or something. Just no respect for people and no sense of honor about treating others well. Anyway – I do not think I will be returning to the Cayman Islands soon. I have been considering other busi- ness programs in any case, and when they are all taken together it really boils down to: “Do I like the people there?” “Do they want [for- eigners] in their country?” Jason Alan Jankovsky PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY: Caymanian Compass Limited (a subsidiary of Pinnacle Media Ltd) Compass Centre Shedden Road, George Town SEND US YOUR VIEWS OR NEWS: P.O. Box 1365 Grand Cayman KY1-1108, Cayman Islands Telephone: (345) 815-0095 Email: newsdesk@pinnaclemedialtd.com ADVERTISE WITH US: Telephone: (345) 949-5111 Email: sales@pinnaclemedialtd.com Website: www.caymancompass.com PUBLISHERS DAVID R. LEGGE AND VICKI L. LEGGE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF DAVID R. LEGGE EXECUTIVE EDITOR PATRICK BRENDEL A MEMBER OF THE INTER-AMERICAN PRESS ASSOCIATION “Give light and the people will find their own way” It appears the Cayman really does not want others to come there any more than for a short visit, no matter what the guys at the SEZ tell me. 5 LOCAL NEWS CAYMAN COMPASS • MONDAY JULY 25, 2016 317 North Sound Rd., Industrial Park 949-5000 Grand Cayman July 29 – 30 Friday from 7:00am-5:00pm Saturday from 7:00am - 3:00pm info@paramountgroup.ky Mats Universal AS LOW AS $5 PAIR On great selections $10 BOX Selections of tiles and carpets % OFF 75 15% LESS ON ALL OTHER ITEMS. DRYWALL NOT INCLUDED WE DO MORE THANCOVER YOUR FLOOR TAD STONER tstoner@pinnaclemedialtd.com On Thursday afternoon the court adjourned bankruptcy proceedings against John Gordon Hewitt and Velma Powery-Hewitt, delaying the hearing until Sept. 12, while the sum at issue has grown to $215,666. The amount claimed by the court is an increase of nearly 48 percent from an orig- inal claim for court costs of $138,666, and, according to Ms. Powery-Hewitt, comes as a result of “taxation” on the initial sum. “They are calling it interest,” she said, describing the court-mandated ad- dition of $77,000. The increase could not be confirmed with Clerk of Courts Tabitha Philander, who placed the orig- inal bankruptcy notice in Monday’s Gov- ernment Gazette. Mistakenly dated “Tuesday, July 18,” Ms. Philander’s “Matter of a Bankruptcy Petition” set “a meeting of the credi- tors … pursuant to the Bankruptcy Law at the Court’s Office” in George Town on July 21 at 3 p.m. During the meeting, however, the court postponed the hearing, citing a point of law in which gazetted proceed- ings must be advertised at least 10 days before any meeting. The delay, according to Ms. Powery- Hewitt, gave the West Bay couple “some breathing space” as they sought help for the payments, which threaten to leave the couple without financial resources. “We couldn’t do anything” at the hearing, she said, “because they had not filed the notice in enough time.” Ms. Philander, she said, had submitted the “Matter of a Bankruptcy Petition” in time, but the Gazette publication date came too late to meet the 10-day stipula- tion. “So right now nothing is happening,” Ms. Powery-Hewitt said. “We have a little space and we keep holding our breath, hoping something will work out.” She said the additional $77,000 fee had not come as a surprise, as the couple had faced a similar charge in a previous, related lawsuit. The original court costs of nearly $140,000 came as a result of a June 2013 constitutional challenge to the May 22 election of West Bay MLA – and later Minister of Education, Employment and Gender Affairs – Tara Rivers. In his suit, Mr. Hewitt contested the eligibility of Ms. Rivers to stand for election, citing violations of both resi- dency and loyalty requirements in the Cayman Islands Constitution. After a three-day trial in the Grand Court, Chief Justice Anthony Smellie vin- dicated Ms. Rivers, but did not assess court costs at the time, suggesting Mr. Hewitt’s constitutional challenge had been in the public interest. Subsequently, the couple approached the Court of Appeals, despite a constitu- tional prohibition on the move. The court declined to hear the case, but assessed the Hewitts $16,000 in costs. “I get it that we have a ‘loser pays’ system,” Ms. Powery-Hewitt said, “and if it had been a personal matter, I could see it, but it was a constitutional matter. So the appeal cost $16,000, and then the Clerk of Courts put another $10,000 on that as interest.” Despite the daunting $26,000 total, she said, “we paid it. We cleared that debt. Now we are just praying for some kind of reprieve.” Mr. Hewitt has said his only asset is his West Bay home, which may be seized by creditors. “We continue to do normal things,” Ms. Powery-Hewitt said. “We try to keep life as normal as possible, and we don’t have any excesses.” Rivers’ attorney, Hampson and Com- pany’s Paul Keeble, declined to com- ment, saying the case remained before the bankruptcy court. “We have a little space and we keep holding our breath, hoping something will work out.” VELMA POWERY-HEWITT, bankruptcy defendant and career civil servant Hewitt bankruptcy case delayed until September Five boats carrying Cuban migrants passed through Cayman waters last week, according to the Immigration Depart- ment, including seven men who landed in East End Friday morning. The seven men, met by local authorities, left the island around noon to continue to sail toward Central America, the de- partment said in a press release Friday. The Immigration De- partment says 71 mi- grants from Cuba have passed through Cayman’s waters over the past week. Migrants leaving Cuba will pass by the Cayman Islands when they sail southwest, likely to land in Central America and take the land route through Mexico to reach the United States. Immigration officials say 26 Cubans decided to stop their journey in Cayman. Cuban migrants who disembark are de- tained by the Immigration Department until they can be repatriated. The department said Friday that there are cur- rently 84 detainees in Im- migration custody. Cuban migrants land in East End Seven migrants from Cuba stopped in East End on Friday before continuing toward Central America.DISTRICT DAYS 6 District Days George Town MONDAY JULY 25, 2016 • CAYMAN COMPASS Minds Inspired wraps up another session Dart recently hosted the final session of its Minds Inspired Ca- reer Mentoring Program. Ten John Gray High School students took part in the six- month mentoring program, which wrapped up on Tuesday, June 28. The Minds Inspired Educa- tion Program promotes education and fosters academic excellence in math and science. During the program, the stu- dents visited Dart’s offices to gain hands-on experience from men- tors working in fields such as law, asset management, human re- sources, engineering, accounting, golf management and opera- tions. The students saw a diverse range of work areas and roles, and heard from the company’s senior leaders and executives. “Dart is a company of many industries, departments and spe- cializations,” said Dart CEO Mark VanDevelde. “We were able to provide the students with a look inside the many study and career opportu- nities in Cayman without having to leave the building. That is something that as a company, we are proud to be able to accom- plish through our Minds Inspired Education Program.” For the final session, the group heard from the president of Dart Realty (Cayman) Ltd., Jackie Doak, who talked about Dart’s 10-year de- velopment plans. “These 10 young, aspiring minds are the future of Cayman, and I wanted to share Dart’s vision for the future with them,” said Ms. Doak. “The students were enthu- siastic about the 10-year plan and the proposed developments, and I hope that by sharing this they now have an understanding of what the future can hold. “The sky is the limit.” Wes Heistand, an educator at John Gray High School, said the students and the school ap- preciated the partnership that has been created between the school and Dart. “The monthly mentorship meet- ings exposed students to jobs and industries that were previously un- known to them,” he said. “The op- portunity, time and resources that were invested into our students will surely pay dividends in the future.” The students also found the ses- sions beneficial, as they provided them with a real-world learning ex- perience and gave them some in- sight into the business world. “I appreciated the one-on-one meetings that helped me under- stand things about the real world and how to achieve your goals in life,” said Troy Powery. “The Dart mentoring program has exposed me to many career paths available in the Cayman Is- lands, and taught me many skills that prepared me for the world of work,” added Allison C. Tatum. “By attending this programme I was able to shape my future in the way that fits me best.” In addition to working with mentors, the students attended pre- sentations from a number of pro- fessionals about their industries and projects related to their jobs. Presenters covered topics that in- cluded careers in information tech- nology, construction management, marketing, law, various accounting qualifications and the One Young World conference. “I have taken away different leadership strategies which I hope to use at school and in the work- place,” said student Najah Lewin. “This experience has also ex- panded my mind regarding nu- merous occupations and I now have a clearer path for my future.” To learn more about the Minds Inspired Education Program please visit www.mindsinspired.ky. Students pose with mentors and presenters from Dart. Ten John Gray High School students took part in the six-month Minds Inspired Career Mentoring Program, which wrapped up on June 28. In the July 27, 1966 edi- tion of the Caymanian Weekly, a precursor of the Cayman Compass, George Town correspondent Frances Bodden wrote: “Miss Lillian Bodden and Miss Lucille Seymour of George Town have ar- rived from Shortwood Col- lege, Jamaica. Miss Bodden has completed her training and will teach in one of the Government primary schools. Miss Seymour is home for her summer hol- idays and will return in September. She is doing well so far and is happy to be home again. “Mr. Tim Thompson of Miami is on a two week visit to the island. Mr. Thompson plans to return shortly to build a home at Half Way Pond, near to his sister, Miss Hilary Thompson, who is most happy to have him. No doubt in the near future Half Way Pond will become a real residential centre, as that area is very cool and pleasant. “Mr. Anthony Coe re- turned to Bluefields, Nica- ragua via Costa Rica on the 22nd after spending a few months with his aunts Mrs. Clarice Bodden and Misses Iva and Sylvia Coe. Anthony is a brother of Messrs. Semmes and Ulric Coe. “Mr. and Mrs. Wilcox returned from Jamaica on the 21st of July. We are happy to know that Mr. Wilcox’s eye operation was a success. “We are happy to announce the arrival of the first child of Mr. and Mrs. Hurley Merren, a son, at the George Town hospital on July 21. Both mother and son are doing well. “Mrs. Grace Mosley and her two darling children Tony and Pamela left for England via Jamaica on the 21st, she will travel by ship to Southampton and thence to Derby to visit her in-laws, then on to London to make arrange- ments to settle there and put the children in school. Grace and her children will be greatly missed. We wish them all success. “Mrs. Wolsey Bodden and children left on the 23rd to join her husband in Tampa where they will make their home. She was accompanied by her mother-in-law, Mrs. Ra- chael Bodden, who has gone to visit her daughter, Mrs. Verneta Jackson and her children. “Misses Gail McIntyre and Susan McBride of Canada are now visiting George Town and are the guests of Miss Frances Bodden. A programme has been arranged for these young ladies. Since their arrival on the island they have made several friends and hope to return again some day. “They leave on Thursday the 28th and will be ac- companied by Misses Carol Ann Ebanks and Betty Ebanks, who will spend three weeks in Canada. This will be a great experi- ence for these young ladies and it is hoped it will be beneficial as well.” 50 YEARS AGO: Lillian Bodden and Lucille Seymour back from teachers’ college In the July 27, 1966 edi- tion of the Caymanian Weekly, a precursor of the Cayman Compass, George Town correspondent Frances Bodden wrote: “Miss Lillian Bodden and Miss Lucille Seymour of George Town have ar-of George Town have ar-of George Town have ar rived from Shortwood Col- lege, Jamaica. Miss Bodden has completed her training and will teach in one of the Government primary schools. Miss Seymour is home for her summer hol- idays and will return in September. She is doing well so far and is happy to be home again. “Mr. Tim Thompson of Miami is on a two week visit to the island. Mr. Thompson plans to return shortly to build a home at Half Way Pond, near to his sister, Miss Hilary Thompson, who is most happy to have him. No doubt in the near future Half Way Pond will become a real residential centre, as that area is very cool and pleasant. “Mr. Anthony Coe re- turned to Bluefields, Nica- ragua via Costa Rica on the 22nd after spending a few months with his aunts Mrs. Clarice Bodden and Misses Iva and Sylvia Coe. Anthony is a brother of Messrs. Semmes and Ulric Coe. “Mr. and Mrs. Wilcox returned from Jamaica on the 21st of July. We are happy to know that Mr. Wilcox’s eye operation was a success. “We are happy to announce the arrival of the first child of Mr. and Mrs. Hurley Merren, a son, at the George Town hospital on July 21. Both mother and son are doing well. “Mrs. Grace Mosley and her two darling children Tony and Pamela left for England via Jamaica on the 21st, she will travel by ship to Southampton and thence to Derby to visit her in-laws, then on to London to make arrange- ments to settle there and put the children in school. Grace and her children will be greatly missed. We wish them all success. “Mrs. Wolsey Bodden and children left on the 23rd to join her husband in Tampa where they will make their home. She was accompanied by her mother-in-law, Mrs. Ra- chael Bodden, who has gone to visit her daughter, Mrs. Verneta Jackson and her children. “Misses Gail McIntyre and Susan McBride of Canada are now visiting George Town and are the guests of Miss Frances Bodden. A programme has been arranged for these young ladies. Since their arrival on the island they have made several friends and hope to return again some day. “They leave on Thursday the 28th and will be ac- companied by Misses Carol Ann Ebanks and Betty Ebanks, who will spend three weeks in Canada. This will be a great experi- ence for these young ladies and it is hoped it will be beneficial as well.” 50 YEARS AGO: Lillian Bodden and Lucille Seymour back from teachers’ collegeDistrict Days George Town DISTRICT DAYS 7 CAYMAN COMPASS • MONDAY JULY 25, 2016 Sky and Brad’s Regal Beach wedding ALMA CHOLLETTE achollette@pinnaclemedialtd.com On the afternoon of June 18, more than four dozen guests were present to wit- ness the wedding of Bradley DeSchiffert and Julienne Sky Batoon. “We met 28 months ago,” said Julienne. “We met through a mutual friend. We went on a few dates and fell in love. Been together ever since.” The couple got en- gaged at Starfish Point in North Side. “We fit together so well,” said Bradley on proposing to Julienne. “I can’t imagine not being with her. I’ve never met anyone that can handle me on every level. We have a great time every time we do anything, and we’re constantly smiling and laughing about almost everything. It’s not often you get to meet your perfect match in such a short life.” According to the groom, he waited many weeks to propose. “I special ordered the ring and it took some time to arrive,” he said. Following the arrival of the ring, “we went for a walk down the beach on the bay side when I nervously, yet confidently asked Sky to be my wife.” “She said yes instantly,” said Bradley. “We were both over the moon with excitement.” In a wedding planned by Sarah Parker, the cer- emony took place at the Regal Beach Club. According to the couple, they did not see each other before the exchanging of vows that day. “I think it was nice for us to celebrate and have that first look moment,” said Ju- lienne, who wore a strapless gown with a floral skirt. Originally from Ilocos Norte, Philippines, Juli- enne is a spa coordinator, and the London, Ontario- native Bradley is an assis- tant golf professional and junior golf coach. Among the 58 guests invited, 17 were Bradley’s junior golfers. The couple, who are residents of George Town, honeymooned in Alberta, Canada, visiting Banff, Lake Louise and Jasper Park be- fore heading to Edmonton. “It was a spectac- ular trip and we both got to see some amazing sights,” said Bradley. The Nature Store offers retail space to both established and emerging local vendors with creative or environmentally responsible products. Newlyweds Julienne Batoon of Ilocos Norte, Philippines and Bradley DeSchiffert of Ontario, Canada. Julienne Batoon and Bradley DeSchiffert, an assistant golf professional, pose for a wedding photo at North Sound Golf Club. Their ceremony took place at Regal Beach Club on June 18. - PHOTOS: DEEP BLUE IMAGES South Sound has new eco-friendly shopping destination The National Trust for the Cayman Islands recently celebrated the opening of its redesigned retail store with a reception. The general public was invited to browse the new “eco-friendly” facility at an event on Thursday, July 14 at the Trust House at Dart Family Park, South Sound. People enjoyed refresh- ments, tea and healthy appetizers from Island Naturals Cafe. Cayman natural history buffs got a special treat, as a portion of the Trust’s In- sectarium was also on display. Attendees had the opportunity to meet local author and conser- vationist Fred Burton, who signed copies of his books, “The Little Blue Book,” “Wild Trees” and “Red List.” There were also giveaways for ex- isting and new Trust members. The Nature Store offers retail space to both established and emerging local vendors with cre- ative or environmentally responsible products that align with Cayman’s heritage and culture. The store also carries nature- themed activity kits and adventure toys for kids of all ages. “The aim of the store is to give lo- cals and tourists the opportunity to shop environmentally responsibly, whilst supporting local vendors and conservation and raising funds to- wards preserving the environment, heritage and culture of the Cayman Islands,” said Trust Executive Di- rector Christina Pineda. The Nature Store now serves coffee, mochas, cappuccinos, hot chocolate and tea. By the end of August visitors will be able to enjoy lunch break in the scenic Dart Park as the store will be offering grab-and-go sandwiches and locally baked goods. There will also be cafe-style seating on the Trust’s front porch. For further information email marketing@ nationaltrust.org.ky or call 749-1121. “We have a great time every time we do anything, and we’re constantly smiling and laughing about almost everything.” BRADLEY DESCHIFFERT Lysha Wong Manderson of Squirrelly Studio. George Town DISTRICT DAYSThe islands’ most-trusted news source 8 MONDAY JULY 25, 2016 • CAYMAN COMPASS Heritage Arts program wraps up More than 400 certifi- cates and 15 trophies were awarded to Year 6 students who completed the Heri- tage Arts Program over the past 10 months. This school year, 447 gov- ernment school students participated in the program each month – 1,700 youths from private and govern- ment schools in all, Cayman Traditional Arts said in a press release. Created by Cayman Tradi- tional Arts, the Heritage Arts program endeavors to expose young students to Cayma- nian traditions in art, culture and heritage. Program Director Chris Christian said in the release, “The experience of our in- structors is deep-rooted. Whether they are explaining how to construct a calavan, instructing on the art of ar- chery, or helping students prepare fritters and other local delicacies,” he said, “our instructors are well versed in their own subject matter and are able to engage the students in a lively and entertaining way that prop- erly interests them. “In this way we believe the students get the very most out of their experience on the Heritage Arts programme,” added Mr. Christian. East End Primary Year 6 teacher Aubrey Leahong said her students have par- ticipated in the Heritage Arts program for four years, “and it is a beautiful thing.” “It’s an extremely good programme because it looks to the history of tradi- tional arts, going into tra- ditions such as thatching, games, making kites, making fritters with guava jam and so on,” she said. More than 300 people at- tended opening night for the student exhibition at The Ritz-Carlton hotel last month, and their work remains on display until Aug. 15. Having found the program and art exhibition helpful in building confidence and team- building skills, the program also helps in promoting a flair for the arts, said Ms. Leahong, “but more than that, what I really love is the powerful lit- eracy aspect associated with the programme.” The Heritage Arts pro- gram, which is offered across all government schools in Cayman, is funded by the Ministry of District Admin- istration, Tourism and Trans- port; the Ministry of Edu- cation, Employment and Gender Affairs; and the Min- istry of Health and Culture. East End Primary School students showcase artwork they created through the Heritage Arts program at The Ritz-Carlton. DVDL, police continue probe of vehicle inspector’s crash fire officer said he had intended to sell. During an interview on July 11, Mr. Salas said he was told by another DVDL in- spector at the accident scene that vehicles are typically not taken off the DVDL property during inspections. “[The] inspector that ap- proached me after the acci- dent told me he couldn’t un- derstand why the vehicle needed to be on the road,” Mr. Salas said. “I am a mechanic. I wouldn’t take a vehicle to the licensing department if it wasn’t functional.” Mr. Dixon said section 63 of the Cayman Islands Traffic Law [2011 Revision] allows for DVDL inspectors to test vehi- cles “in any place and time.” “DVDL has and con- tinues to test vehicles on public road[s] since the 1960s,” he said. Mr. Dixon said no further comment would be made re- garding the July 11 accident until both the police and li- censing department’s internal investigations were com- pleted. He did not give a date for when that might occur. Gay couple wins work permit appeal The Immigration Board denied the request to add Mr. Raznovich to his hus- band’s work permit last year, saying there was no statutory framework to handle the application. Mr. Raznovich, citing precedent from the European Court of Human Rights, argued that homosexual couples had to be treated the same as other married couples, even if government does not recog- nize gay marriage. The European Court of Human Rights rulings ex- tend to the Cayman Islands because of the treaty signed by the United Kingdom. The recent vote for the U.K. to leave the European Union does not affect the rela- tionship with the court, which is governed by a separate treaty. The decision, Mr. Raz- novich wrote in an email, “reflects the sophisticated nature of the Cayman Is- lands jurisdiction, its re- spect for the rule of law above anything and every- thing (the rule of law being the most precious com- modity of the Cayman Is- lands as the Attorney Gen- eral stated last year during his speech at the UCCI on the occasion of the Magna Carta celebrations), and, more importantly, the ad- vancement in the most basic of human rights.” He said, “This sets a leading example for the rest of the Overseas Terri- tories and the Caribbean Region. In the words of the newly appointed Min- ister for British Overseas Territories, Baroness An- elay: ‘The strongest, safest and most prosperous soci- eties are those that value diversity and strive to ad- dress all forms of discrim- ination against all people, including on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity.’” Mr. Raznovich said, “We look forward to moving on with our lives in the Cayman Islands.” CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Accountant enters jail ‘early’ converting criminal property and one count of using crim- inal property. According to court records, the theft charges relate to US$445,000 allegedly stolen in 2013, and US$50,414.20 alleg- edly stolen in 2012. Records allege that Aspi- nall stole US$445,000 from Level Global Overseas Master Fund Ltd. between May 1 and Aug. 21, 2013. The other theft charge alleges he stole US$50,414.20 from Aslan Capital Master Fund LP and Aslan Capital Offshore Fund Ltd. on Nov. 6, 2012. Other criminal charges al- lege Aspinall spent ill-gotten funds on a US$200,000 down payment for a prop- erty purchase in July 2013 and more than US$50,000 for the purchase of a BMW in October 2013. Following Aspinall’s ar- rest in early May, the Royal Cayman Islands Police Ser- vice alleged that the crim- inal conduct occurred after he had been appointed as a voluntary liquidator for two funds while employed with the local office of an inter- national investment firm. During this appointment, a quantity of money was misappropriated from these funds and transferred to an- other account, police said. Publicly available docu- ments also state that Aspi- nall has been found to have contravened the Directors Registration and Licensing Law and is not considered eligible by the Cayman Is- lands Monetary Authority to hold a position as a pro- fessional director. Aspinall’s director registration was suspended on June 3. “It’s an e xtremely good programme because it looks to the history of traditional arts, going into traditions such as thatching, games, making kites, making fritters with guava jam and so on.” TEACHER AUBREY LEAHONG “Our internal investigations continue, and until such time, we cannot take any presumption as to the inspector’s innocence or guilt.” DVDL DIRECTOR DAVID DIXON Leonardo Raznovich spoke at the recent Queering Paradigms conference on LGBT issues in the Caribbean. The crimes Aspinall is accused of committing “only really attract one type of sentence [referring to imprisonment].” JAMES AUSTIN-SMITH, attorney CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1The islands’ most-trusted news source 9 Airbnb sues hometown San Francisco Airbnb is suing its hometown over a law requiring it to advertise only hosts who have registered with the city. It says the new rule undermines a bedrock principle that allowed it to flourish. CAYMAN COMPASS • MONDAY JULY 25, 2016 NEED CASH? COME! CAYMAN PRECIOUS METALS Located at MONEYGRAM PLAZA at 196 Shedden Road 927-8565 - Mon. thru Fri. 9 to 6pm - Sat 10-4pm WE BUY AND PAWN WE HAVE ALL YOU NEED! for NOTICE OF SALE OF PRIVATE SECURITIES Notice is hereby given that the private company securities herein described will be offered for sale to the highest bidder at public sale to be conducted by Queensgate Bank and Trust Company Ltd. (“Queensgate”). Bids may be submitted during the period commencing at 1 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST) on the 13th day of July, 2016, and ending at 5 pm EST on the 27th day of July 2016, at the Queensgate offices, at Harbour Place, 103 S Church St, George Town KY1-1202, Cayman Islands by person, mail or email (asmith@queensgate.com.ky). The potential buyer must complete the transaction within five (5) days following the closing of the bid period. Securities sold will constitute the full ownership interest of Alien Holdings, Ltd., an Exempted Company incorporated in the Cayman Islands with Limited Liability with effect from the 2nd day of April 2014, filed as No. 00286669, with registered office at Maples Corporate Services Limited, PO Box 309, Ugland House, George Town KY1-1104, Cayman Islands. All persons interested are invited to attend said sale and bid for the securities intended to be sold. Additional information about the securities to be sold may be reviewed and inspected in advance at the Queensgate offices, subject to the inspecting party signing Seller’s non-disclosure agreement. Seller will make no representations or warranties regarding the securities sold, and it is the bidder’s responsibility to ensure compliance with any applicable securities laws. Any and all bids may be rejected or the securities withdrawn from sale by the Seller, or said sale may be postponed or continued until such time as the sale is confirmed by the Seller. The successful bidder shall pay for all recording fees, transfer fees and taxes connected with the transaction, if any. If you have further questions on the above, please contact Arin Smith, Legal Counsel, Queensgate Bank and Trust Company Ltd. (asmith@queensgate.com.ky; phone: 345-945-2187). ADVERTISEMENT Teen planned German attack for a year MUNICH – German po- lice said Sunday the teenage gunman who went on a ram- page at a shopping center Friday, leaving nine people dead, had no ties to the Is- lamic State or other extremist groups, but he had been plan- ning his attack for a year and may have been inspired by a similar assault by another German youth in 2009. At a news conference, German authorities said evi- dence continued to support their theory that the gunman was “obsessed” with mass killings and may have been a depressed loner who was bul- lied in school. Robert Heimberger, head of the Bavarian criminal po- lice, said the gunman in the Munich attack had last year visited the German town of Winnenden, the scene of a similar shooting rampage seven years ago by a 17-year- old that left 15 students and teachers dead at his former school. The Munich shooter took photographs at the site, authorities said. German police also said Sunday it was likely the pistol used in the Munich attack was purchased via the “darknet,” a corner of the Internet where users employ encryption and special software to trade re- stricted items, pornography, ideas, files and whistle- blowing alerts to circumvent government snooping. The southern German city’s police chief said inves- tigators searching the assail- ant’s family apartment found a trove of electronic data and written materials suggesting that he was fascinated by shooting rampages before he went on one of his own Friday afternoon. The items recov- ered included a book, trans- lated into German, by a U.S. academic on school shootings titled “Why Kids Kill: Inside the Minds of School Shooters.” “He was very intensely interested in the subject,” said the Munich police chief, Hubertus Andrae, who de- scribed the mass shooting as a “classic act by a de- ranged person.” Authorities did not release the name of the assailant, but German media reported that his name was David Ali Sonboly, the 18-year-old son of a limou- sine driver and a department store clerk who was born and raised in Munich. The par- ents migrated to Germany from Iran. The German Iranian teen may have been the target of intense bullying by peers, police said. In a video taken during the rampage, Sonboly complains of being bullied. Instead of being inspired by Islamic State terrorism, police investigators said, Sonboly may have been in- fluenced in some way by the Norwegian mass murderer and domestic terrorist An- ders Behring Breivik. Munich authorities said there was “an obvious link” between the Munich shooter and the massacre carried out by Breivik on July 22, 2011. Friday’s shooting in Mu- nich – the third mass attack in Europe since the Bastille Day truck carnage in Nice, France, this month- took place on the fifth anniversary of Breivik’s attacks in Oslo and on the island of Utoya. Breivik killed 77 people, first by exploding a bomb in a van and then by stalking his vic- tims with a gun at a summer camp. At the time, Breivik re- leased a statement calling for the deportation of Muslims, whom he decried as enemies alongside “cultural Marxists.” The news service DPA re- ported, citing a German se- curity official, that the killer had not been known to police but that he admired the teen- ager who killed 15 people in Winnenden in 2009. A security officer close to the case, who spoke on the condition of anonymity be- cause the investigation is ac- tive, said the shooter “behaved like he was in a video game.” The official called the as- sailant “cold and methodical.” It appeared that he targeted “foreign-looking people” and that he aimed at their heads, he said. In one case, the shooter may have returned to one wounded victim and shot him again, according to video examined by police. German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Saturday described Sonboly’s attack as “a night of horror. We’re grieving with a heavy heart for those who will never return to their families,” she said in a brief statement from Berlin after a meeting of her security cabinet. “We’re suffering with them.” In front of the shuttered Olympia shopping mall, where the rampage took place, mourners left flowers and lit candles under rainy skies. Church bells tolled throughout the day, and flags flew at half-staff. Stefan Dessner, a re- tiree, placed a bouquet on the sidewalk. “This was a terrible day,” he said, won- dering whether the world was “going crazy.” He men- tioned the youth of the vic- tims. Most of the nine killed were younger than 18, in- cluding three 14-year-olds. And most of the children had been born to parents with migrant backgrounds. German Interior Minister Thomas de Maizière cau- tioned that the killer’s mo- tives were still being investi- gated but asserted that there were no links to international terrorist groups. Maizière said that the killer had been “bullied by peers” and that violent video games had probably helped inspire the attack. Of the victims, Maizière said the young age of many of them “will break your heart.” Officials said they have found no suicide note or other statement of intent. Sonboly did not have a crim- inal record but “may have had a mental disorder,” according to Thomas Steinkraus-Koch, Munich’s prosecutor. Maizière said the use of David as a first name could suggest that the killer had converted to Christianity from Islam. But his par- ents said he was not a prac- ticing member of any reli- gion, German media reported. Whatever the killer’s motives, he acted alone, Munich’s police chief said. “We are talking about a perpetrator without any political back- ground,” the Munich prose- cutor added. © 2016, The Washington Post People mourn in front of the Olympia shopping center, Sunday, in Munich, Germany, where a shooting took place Friday leaving nine people dead. – PHOTO: APNext >