Three women from Boston were acquitted today after being charged with breaching emergency orders. They walked away free women after being escorted into the Magistrates Court in handcuffs.
They claimed that they spoke to a police officer in khaki who said they would turn their backs. The Magistrate said the women had tacit consent and told the prosecution that unless they could rebut the women’s comments, they would be acquitted. The prosecution was unable to do so.
A photo of the women jumping a fence on Paradise Island to get to Cabbage Beach went viral on social media. A video showed the women admitting they hopped the fence to go swimming after saving up for a year to vacation in The Bahamas.
Beaches were closed over the Independence holiday weekend following orders by Prime Minister Dr. Hubert Minnis.
Police brought the three tourists, who flew eight hours from Boston, to court around 12pm. However, the arraignment was held up while authorities made contact with officials from the United States embassy.
After each woman confirmed their identities they were asked if they had spoken to the American embassy. To the dismay of the Magistrate, they advised that they were not given the opportunity to speak with the embassy.
Their lawyer, Ian Cargill noted that an officer ought to be aware that Americans should be given the opportunity to speak with representatives from the embassy.