by Jerome Pinder
On the 7thOctober 2007, Agnes Sylvia Cates was found murdered in her bedroom in Rock Sound, Eleuthera. To date, over three years after her murder, not one single piece of evidence has been presented in Court. Here is a highlight of the events, subsequent to Mrs Cates’ murder:
- 15th Oct 2007: 1st Suspect Charged in Magistrate’s Court, Bank Lane
- 29th Oct 2007: Case brought up for mention in Magistrate’s Court, Bank Lane
- 12th Nov 2007: Case brought up for mention in Magistrate’s Court, Bank Lane
- 25th Feb 2008: 2nd Suspect arraigned in Magistrate’s Court
- 1st April 2008: Case brought up for mention in Magistrate’s Court No. 11, Nassau Street. AG’s office announced that it intended to move the case to the Supreme Court by Voluntary Bill of Indictment, but needed an additional two (2) months to prepare the case.
- 5th May 2008: Case brought up for mention at Court 11
- 19th June 2008: Case brought up for mention at Court 11
- 12th Aug 2008: 2nd Suspect released on $30,000 bail
- 6th Oct 2008: Charges against the 1st suspect discontinued. Case against the 2nd suspect to be moved to the Supreme Court by Voluntary Bill of Indictment, Court 11.
- 24th Nov 2008: 2nd suspect to be arraigned in the Supreme Court. No appearance by the 2nd suspect.
- 28th Nov 2008: 2nd suspect arraigned in Supreme Court.
- 28th Feb 2011: Case to open in Supreme Court. Suspect did not appear
- 1st Mar 2011: Case to open in Supreme Court. Suspect did not appear
- 4th Mar 2011: Bail hearing in Supreme Court.
- 11th Mar 2011: Bail hearing in Supreme Court.
What you have above is a travesty of Justice. I am proud to know some of the Cates family. They, like the late Agnes Cates are upstanding and honourable members of society. The violent murder of Mrs Cates is an attack on society as a whole and on each and every law abiding citizen in this Country. Regrettably, there tragedy and pain highlights the horrendous problem that we face as a nation. At any given moment, any one of us could be placed in the tragic circumstances faced by the Cates Family. And like the Cates Family, we would be dropped in the hands of a crippled justice system.
We can build roads, buildings, and plant trees in this Country. We can construct a state of the art airport, dredge our harbour, and expand our seaports. We can tax and spend like there is no tomorrow. But yet, we cannot deliver and administer an effective justice system!
We often hear our Minister of National Security quoting statistics and giving us a breakdown of the murders related to domestic violence, drugs, gangs, etc… This is all well and good. But perhaps, it is time that our Government start focusing on the murders of outstanding citizens and the lack of justice that is being served in their cases. Not to mention all the other violent offenders out on Bail!
You will note above, a break in the time line from November 2008 to February 2011. Is this the true reflection of our Justice system? Our elected Government has the responsibility to ensure the effective administration of Justice. It is abundantly clear that they have failed us! Will the madness ever end in granting bail to repeat offenders? This issue has become a menace to society, with no correction in site.
As a friend stated to me, “you can chase a rat around the room all day with no consequences, but the second you pin him in the corner, he will attack you.” Are the law abiding citizens becoming rats that are being cornered?
Thank you Jerome. You could not have said it better.I personally do not think there is any justice in the Bahamas.We have a week minister on national security who just does not get it & seems incapable of performing his duties.Why is it that the government can do anything they want, except fix the judicial system ? Maybe we need to privatize the judicial system to ! I don’t think a single member of parliament wants to change the system because they are all lawyers & all making out like bandits with it just the way it is.
Jerome, it would be good if this was in all the papers.
Yes, the primary job of elected Government administrations, the Upholding of the Rule of Law,
each and every administration an utter and abject failure.
There are a few tiping points headed our way, I’m not sure which will “tip” first, but I see no effort at rationally understanding nevermind any action against them.
Dysfunctional in the extreme.
Politicians are still playing politics.
At great national expense.
We’re presently trying to get a copy of a formal Government policy and the senior Civil Servant is simply not providing it in spite of being requested to do so by the Minister and the Permanent Secretary.
And we’re trying to help the civil servant!
If this is an indication of many of the civil servants the Ministers hands and those of many of the excellent Permanent Secretaries are tied.
And in the case of the Judiciary, where they are a Constitutionally mandated body, how can the Minister solve it?
Sure the Judiciary must feel some embarrassment about this case?
If not, we’re in deep do do.
A nation is only as sound as its legal foundation and system of justice.. Sadly in this respect the Bahamas is a failure.. We have become a nation of laws with with no order and no sense of justice..
I fail to understand how our judicial system can reach this point and Government can appear to show such a lack of concern while so many of us can see a total breakdown of civility coming fast and frightened citizens seeking the justice that the Government is failing to provide.
Yes, we are tired of the revolving doors at the prisons, we are tired of murderers and rapists being released on bail, we are tired of the lack of concern for the victims and we are tired of Government ignoring our concerns.
I don’t think parliament will ever get it,ever.I thought after Chuck Virgil was murdered, maybe there was a chance, but not even the murder of one of their own effected them in any way.What in hell is wrong with these people ? Are they even remotely human ? In my opinion, I think not.I think we should “lock up” parliament.We have to have term limits & when they do not do the will of the people, kick their asses out,enough is enough.Why are we as a nation so laid back about this ? Its time to raise eternal hell with these people, call your rep everyday & pester them to death.Tell them what you think,tell them we have had enough.They sure seem to be able to do just what they want, whenever they want with no consequences what so ever.
@ Rick. Whoever this Sr Civil Servant is, since it will be near impossible to fire, they should immediately be transferred to the Department of Pot Holes and street cleaning, or perhaps put them in charge of street lights since nothing is working there. This is a greater embarassement on the Minister responsible. I know several Sr Civil Servants that have been transferred, so no excuses here. Obviously the Minister and PS are satisfied with what is taking place.
The exchange of e-mails between all of us it does not appear the Minister or PS is happy.
It’s the most curious thing.
This is all pretty outrageous to me.If the Minister & the PS cant deal with them, why are they in such a position & how did they get where they are ? Surely it was not their qualifications !As far as I am concerned, its no different from the thief & the receiver, one is just as bad as the other & they both belong in jail.
Today October 7th 2012 Makes five years since we got the worst call of our lives & still no justice.
Dennis on this day of remembrance we reach out to you and share in your grief.. We know that the grace of God is with the righteous as they are at peace in the Kingdom of God.. Out of darkness there is light as righteousness over comes the forces of evil which are all around us.. Always be true to yourself and you will become an example to others.. Our thoughts are with you today as we move from the darkness of evil into the light of truth.. May God’s grace and peace be with you and your loved ones on this day of rememberance..
Much appreciated Tradewinds,thank you