Pair Takes Plea Deal in 2021 Boating Accident

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – Two men responsible for a boating accident that killed three people have been spared jail time as part of a plea deal.

Back on March 14, 2021, a ferry boat captained by Marvin Minns Jr slammed into an unlit 22-foot boat, operated by Renaldo Grant near Man Island in Eleuthera.

The collision took place around 9pm and the passengers on Grant’s boat were thrown into the water.

Despite frantic rescue efforts, Candice McDonald, Leanna Cartwright and Jose Roberts Jr lost their lives.

As a result, police charged Minns and Grant with manslaughter by negligence.

The pair were also charged with causing grievous harm to Rozette Carey and Shaquelle Cash.

Grant was charged with operating a vessel without a license.

In a plea deal concluded before Justice Renae McKay this week, the men pleaded guilty to three counts of manslaughter by negligence and the causing grievous harm charges were withdrawn.

Under the agreement, Grant and Minns will pay compensation totaling $53,000 to avoid serving two years’ imprisonment.

McDonald’s estate will receive $13,000 and the estates of Cartwright and Roberts will each get $20,000.

Since Grant had greater liability in the deadly crash, he has to pay $35,333.50 of the compensation award, and Minns has to pay $17,666.50.

The money will be paid over a period of six months.

Minns and Grant each made an initial payment of $3,000 each on August 23, the date the agreement was executed.

McDonald’s estate received $3,000 and the estates of Roberts and Cartwright each got $1,500.

Together, the men will make six more payments.

Grant also paid a $50 fine for operating a vessel without a license.

Ian Cargill represented Minns and Miranda Adderley represented Grant.