National Notes

February 2000 Table of Contents

NATIONAL NOTES

Child Killers Sentenced: Four year old Kendia Lockhart was brutalised then killed when she went to visit her father, Bahamian Kenneth Wilkinson, and her stepmother, Roselene Wilkinson, in Miami. Death was caused by her stepmother repeatedly throwing the girl against a wall until a door fitting pierced her head. Her body was then dismembered by her father and her remains were burned. The father and his wife both received sentences of 30 years for manslaughter. Judge Ronald Dresnick said, "It's beyond words. If there were more I could give you, I would."

Treasure Cay Killer Executed: David Mitchell, 27, found guilty of the double killing of Horst and Traude Henning in Treasure Cay in 1994, was executed by hanging at 6.30 on the morning of 6th January at Fox Hill Prison, Nassau. A Haitian, Mitchell was an occasional worker for the Hennings. It is claimed that he was robbing the house when the Hennings awoke. They were both killed brutally by the use of a cutlass. Mitchell was arrested next day in the possession of the Hennings' vehicle. Other evidence concerning his clothing led to his conviction. Mitchell has been described as 'a rather simple fellow' and seemed oblivious of the enormity of his crime right to the end.

Wife Killer Suicide: John Higgs, 51, was due to be executed at 7.30 following the execution of David Mitchell. He had been found guilty of killing his wife, dismembering her body, and walling her remains under a stairway. Although under double security observation he was able to slash his wrists and was pronounced dead some 30 hours before his appointment with the hangman. He left a letter that proclaimed his innocence and rambled on about 'unethical politicians'.

New Cabinet: Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham completed the downsizing of his cabinet over the holiday season. The following are his cabinet members: Deputy PM and National Security, Hon Frank Watson; Attorney General and Foreign Affairs, Hon Janet Bostwick; Tourism, Hon C A Smith; Finance, Hon Sir William Allen; Education and Youth, Hon Dame Dr Ivy Dumont; Housing and Social Development, Hon Algernon Allen; Commerce, Agriculture and Industry, Hon Theresa Moxey-Ingraham; Public Service, Immigration and National Insurance, Hon Tommy Turnquest; Works and Transport, Hon James Knowles; Health, Hon Ronald Knowles; Local Government, Sports and Culture, Hon David Thompson; Labour and Maritime Affairs, Hon Dion Foulkes; Economic Development, Hon Carl Bethel; Minister of State in the Ministry of Education and Youth, Hon Zhivargo Laing.

Address to the Nation: Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham delivered a delayed address to the nation on 13th January with the accent being firmly on New Providence. A new hospital and expansions to the Fox Hill Prison were announced as well as extensive beautification projects. It was admitted that crime remains the nation's greatest problem and he called upon a return to the spirit of yesteryear, "a Bahamas where neighbours are their brothers' keepers; where children are cherished but not spoiled; where Christian charity prevails over selfishness; where giving is more important than receiving; and where there is no room for mean-spiritedness." Prime Minister Ingraham noted that e-commerce could provide the third pillar, along with tourism and banking, of a burgeoning services sector. The country, he said, enters the new year with the lowest unemployment rate in history (7.5%) and a record high in foreign reserves.

Two Mail Boats Sink: Two mail boats sank in separate incidents on 14th January in separate areas of water off Exuma. The North Cat Island Special apparently hit an obstruction in the water which caused it to sink. The Cephas and Etienne sank off the northern Exuma Cays in rough weather. All passengers and crew aboard both vessels were rescued by BASRA and other boats.

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