Crime

Four Charged In Fatal Boating Incident

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – Three Bahamian men and one Haitian man where charged with 18 counts of manslaughter following Sunday’s deadly boating incident.

Published

2 years ago

July 29, 2022

Our News

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – Four men where charged with 18 counts of manslaughter following Sunday’s deadly boating incident. Our Berthony McDermott was in court and tells us one of the men alleges he wasn’t given the opportunity to call his family or consult a lawyer.

Fifty-three-year-old McKenzie Jerome, 39-year-old Donald Watson, 49-year-old Eulen McKinney, and 37-year-old Wilber’s Joseph were charged with 18 counts of manslaughter.

Prosecutors allege that on July 24th, 2022 the men killed 16 females, a male fetus, and a man while in Bahamian waters.

The men were charged after the victims perished during what officials allege was a failed attempt to smuggle the group into Miami, Florida on Sunday morning.

Watson and McKinney were also hit with a charge of reckless operation of a craft and craft operators to be licensed.

It’s alleged that on the same date, the duo operated the “bare ambition” vessel in a willful and reckless manner with disregard for passengers on board, while failing to possess a valid license issued by the competent authority.

Following the arraignment, jerome told cheif magistrate joyanne ferguson pratt that he was not allowed to call a relative or consult an attorney once police arrested him.

He further alleges that $45,000 was counted in front of him by police that was taken from his home, however, he says the money should’ve amounted to $90,000.

He alleges the money came from the sale of a boat and trailer which he recently sold.