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27 cold cases in VI since 2000; The killers are all around us- Hon Fraser

- said imported investigators have yielded little over the years
Opposition Member Honourable Julian Fraser RA (R3), has lamented the number of unsolved cases in the Territory since 2000 but does not believe spending money to bring in special investigators will make much of a difference. Photo: VINO/Internet Source
Police have still not been able to solve the murder of Mr Ashburn A. Dawson aka ‘Ashy’ (left), who was fatally shot opposite the Sunday Morning Well in the capital Road Town on March 10, 2017. Photo: Team of Reporters
Police have still not been able to solve the murder of Mr Ashburn A. Dawson aka ‘Ashy’ (left), who was fatally shot opposite the Sunday Morning Well in the capital Road Town on March 10, 2017. Photo: Team of Reporters
The killing of Frankie J. Fahie, who was fatally shot in Long Look on January 7, 2017, is one of 6 unsolved murders for 2017. Photo: Facebook
The killing of Frankie J. Fahie, who was fatally shot in Long Look on January 7, 2017, is one of 6 unsolved murders for 2017. Photo: Facebook
Jefferson Joseph died in a hail of bullets on the morning of April 16, 2017 near the CSY Dock in Baughers Bay. The killer is still at large. Photo: VINO/File
Jefferson Joseph died in a hail of bullets on the morning of April 16, 2017 near the CSY Dock in Baughers Bay. The killer is still at large. Photo: VINO/File
Franklin E. Penn Jr (left) and Trinity A. Thomas (right) were killed when gunmen opened fire on a vehicle at West End, Tortola on November 22, 2017. Photo: VINO/Facebook
Franklin E. Penn Jr (left) and Trinity A. Thomas (right) were killed when gunmen opened fire on a vehicle at West End, Tortola on November 22, 2017. Photo: VINO/Facebook
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI - On the eve of the funeral for Trinity Azaria Thomas, the 11 year old girl who was gunned down, along with Franklyn E. Penn Jr, 41, on November 22, 2017, Opposition Member Honourable Julian Fraser RA (R3) continued to advocate for justice for all unsolved murders in the territory, dating back as far as 2000.

On December 14, 2017 during the Twelfth Sitting of the Second Session of the Third House of Assembly, Honourable Fraser said, "I wouldn’t be comfortable knowing that we had twenty seven (27) unsolved murders in this little community of ours since 2000, and the number is growing, and even within the last three months we have added three."

This was expressed directly to the Premier and Minister of Finance Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith (AL) after he provided some information to the House about the status of unsolved murders in the territory, confirming that there are 27 unsolved murders from 2000 to 2017 with six of the 10 homicides of 2017 being unsolved.

For 2017 the unsolved murder cases are for Franklin E. Penn Jr, Trinity A. Thomas, Julio Pineda Ceasar, Jefferson Joseph, Ashburn A. Dawson and Frankie J. Fahie.

 “It’s 27," exclaimed Hon Fraser, "It means when you go to Riteway, they are right there; when you go to the cinema, they are there; wherever you go they are there,” said Hon Fraser in a tone of concern.

However, while not down playing the extent of unsolved murders in the territory, Premier Smith expressed that there has been a good detection rate of murders in the territory by the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) and that they continue to receive assistance from overseas experts to solve these cold cases.

However, when Premier Smith revealed intentions to import expertise to assist in solving the cold cases, Hon Fraser said it a pattern of excuse used by the National Democratic Party (NDP) Government to bring in external resources, which he feels do not yield much success.

13 Responses to “27 cold cases in VI since 2000; The killers are all around us- Hon Fraser”

  • zoe (15/12/2017, 15:48) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    God bless there souls
  • wize up (15/12/2017, 17:24) Like (1) Dislike (5) Reply
    I trust that the honourable memeber will sit with the governor and his sidekick the commissioner matthews: just as dr smith is liable as a bad financial leasership well; matthews is going a very poor job with enforcing the laws of this territory: man now shooting high day no need to wait until night because you hardly see police walking the beat: what was being done with the almost 2 million that the governor gave to Matthew: James had the very same complaints and needed funding for the police Depatment but did not bet a red cent; but matthers was given 2 millions: the Same way the local sand in HOA and belittle rack other, why them not doing the same with the Governor and head of police because the both gentlemen hold the mandate for crime under the laws of this islands:and no can watch face to face then same to crime not out of control......
  • Socrates (15/12/2017, 18:04) Like (7) Dislike (1) Reply
    27 unsolved murders and probably 27 murderers on the loose. Could some of these murders be committed by the same people/gang? That is a heap of murderers mingling among the population. With a small population of approximately 30,000, it is highly probable that as we go about the territory we could be interacting with a murderer(s). Further, we could be holding a conversation with the murderer about a murder(s). What is the BVI murder rate per capita? By my calculation and if my math is correct (math is not my strong suite), it is 90 per 100, 000 (27/30,000x100,000); that is a staggering number. What is the clearance rate for reported murders over this same period? By itself, the murder rate per capita number does not tell us much. Is the murder rate per capita increasing/decreasing? How is the per capita rate compare with/to other locales with similar, smaller and larger populations.

    Per Wikipedia, here are murder rates for some other regional sister countries. They are annual rates; where as the calculated BVI rate is over a 17 year period. Additionally, the BVI population is smaller; the population growth over the 17 year period could influence the BVI number.

    Anguilla 27.66 (2014)
    Antigua and Barbuda 11.23 (2012)
    Barbados 10.91 (2015)
    Cayman Islands 14.74 (2009)
    Jamaica 43.21 (2012)
    Montserrat 20.39 (2008)
    Trinidad and Tobago 30.88 (2015)
    USVI 52.64 (2010)
    Turks and Caicos 6.61 (2009)
    BVI 8.37 (2006)
    • Eagle and Buffalo (17/12/2017, 13:32) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      @ Socrates, Socrates says:”The secret of change is to focus all your energy not on fighting the old but on building new.” The scores (27) of unsolved murders are a growing cancer in the society that needs two courses of action 1) finding, arresting and convicting the murderers that are roaming the land and 2) finding the root cause(s) for the increasing violent and property crime, especially murder. Per the data provided, thus far for 2017, the murder rate per capita is 33.33; for the 10 murders in 2017 the clearance rate is 40%. Does the BVI have one of the highest murder rate per capita in the world? Is the murder rate per capita trending upwards or downwards? What was the murder rate per capita for 2016, 2015, 2014 and 2013?

      Moreover, no doubt, the increasing violent and property crimes is a pox on the territory and it must be arrested. But the RVIPF police force cannot do it alone; it needs community support and assistance. Nonetheless, regrettably and unfortunately for the most part, the public has lost confidence in the RVIPF. The RVIPF has too many skirmishes among locals, regional expats and UK officers. The force cannot be effective until these skirmishes are arrested. For example, it is an open secret that the force leaks like a sieve; too many parrots in the force. As such, residents are too scared for their personal health, safety and well being to come forward with information. They are scared of becoming the next victim(s). They are also scared for their families. . Comish, you have a monumental task, ie, solving the scores of unsolved murders, changing the culture in the RVIPF and installing organizational discipline in the force. Focus on quote by Socrates above. Good lu k.

      Let’s lead like eagles, not careen off the cliff like buffaloes.
  • Dragon (15/12/2017, 18:31) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    Yes the killers are all around us and plenty people know who they are but remain silent protecting them.
  • ann (15/12/2017, 20:32) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
    police is a joke now talk that
    • wize up (16/12/2017, 03:27) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      @ Ann: been saying so for years and them call me all kind of things: the majority of my life I stayed right here and watch from the late 50s until now(the whole territory turn up with criminal conduct) no police on land and no police patrols out to sea: 4 and 5 police in once car: patrolling under air condition so you crying for help and they won't hear you) the police responsible for law and order in the BVI and I say there is a break down in law and order: get in your car or walk around this territory and count the number of law enforcing officers out on patrol
  • SHAKY (15/12/2017, 21:29) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    HOW MANY PERSON DID JEFF KILLED ?
  • Mannix (16/12/2017, 04:23) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    @SHAKY...Hmmm. You know things huh. Talk to the cops for a joke.
  • Forbidden Truth (16/12/2017, 04:33) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    How about 44 since 1993. Hmmm.
  • de silent one (17/12/2017, 01:42) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    It's about time that the Government/Governor seriously invest some of that money into the local police officers. There are some capable guys who are not in the right department that can help to get some of these unsolved cases deal with. But if you are not a part of the second in command clique, or from DA, you suck! That's what seems to be holding back some significant progress. Sometimes one have to wonder if this guy have the crime of this country at heart or he's just to personal with certain members of the Organization.


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