Caribbean News Now!

By Caribbean News Now contributor

PROVIDENCIALES, Turks and Caicos Islands -- The plea and directions hearing in the government corruption cases held before newly appointed Supreme Court Judge Paul Harrison in the Turks and Caicos Islands on Wednesday has been adjourned until Monday, November 12, 2012, three days after the forthcoming general elections.

A total of 13 defendants appeared in court on Wednesday: Floyd Basil Hall, McAllister Eugene Hanchell, Lillian Boyce, Jeffrey Christoval Hall, Clayton Stanfield Greene, Thomas Chalmers ("Chal") Misick, Lisa Michelle Hall, Richard Michael Padgett, Varet Jak Civre, Melbourne Arthur Wilson, Samuel Ernest Been, Quinton Albert Hall and Earlson McDonald Robinson, charged with a variety of offences, including bribery, fraud and money laundering.

Following a recently announced agreement with the Civil Recovery Authority, defendant Varet Jak Civre was ordered discharged from the proceeding upon the entering of a nolle prosequi on behalf of the Attorney General in accordance with section 56 of the Criminal Procedure Ordinance.

Four of the defendants: Floyd Hall, Jeffrey Hall, Thomas Chalmers Misick and Melbourne Wilson, were unrepresented at the hearing and these four, together with McAllister Hanchell, Lillian Boyce, Clayton Stanfield Greene and Earlson McDonald Robinson submitted that they were not adequately represented.

Justice Harrison ordered that the legal aid issues are to be settled between the Deputy Registrar and those defendants who do not have legal aid within the next two weeks and no later than 31July 2012.

The defendants’ bail was extended on the same terms until 12 November 2012, except that Thomas Chalmers Misick was permitted to travel to the Dominican Republic on 16 July 2012 to return on the 23 July 2012, with the condition that he live and sleep at the address provided and that sureties remain in place during that period. His passport is to be returned to him on 13 July 2012 and he is to return his passport to the SIPT immediately upon his return to Providenciales.

Click here to read the full order.

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