Four Alleged Human Smugglers Pleaded Not Guilty

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – Four alleged human smugglers have denied manslaughter charges in relation to the drowning deaths of 17 Haitian migrants last July.

They were killed after the vessel, Bare Ambition, capsized in The Nassau Harbour as it made its way to Florida in an alleged people-smuggling operation on July 24, 2022.

McKenzie Jerome, Donald Watson, Eulan McKinney, and Wilbens Joseph, a Haitian national with a work permit, pleaded not guilty to 17 counts of manslaughter at their arraignment before Senior Justice Bernard Turner.

 Justice Guillimina Archer-Minns will preside over their trial.

The accused are expected to appear before her on June 14 to receive a trial date.