Andy Morrell’s urine sample taken after boat crash reportedly missing
New information reaching BVI News is that pertinent evidence in the investigation of the boating accident that led to the death of Frandie Martin Jr has gone missing.
A highly placed source disclosed to our news centre that the police had collected a urine sample from Andrew Morrell – who was this week charged with manslaughter in relation to the matter – to determine his blood-alcohol levels at the time of the October 16, 2021 crash.
Reportedly, that sample has been misplaced. BVI News understands that the sample might have been disposed of mistakenly and all attempts to find it has been unsuccessful.
Our news team was told that the people travelling on the vessel had stopped by Saba Rock earlier in the day for lunch and had a few drinks before departing.
Meanwhile, our source also informed BVI News that no GPS information was taken from the vessel in question, Blue Bayou, which was being handled by Morrell at the time of the accident.
BVI News understands the GPS for the boat was not turned on and as a result, no data could have been recorded in the system.
How the accident happened
Our news centre learnt that the designated captain of Blue Bayou, his wife and children, as well as Morrell were the persons aboard the vessel on the ill-fated day. They were heading west in waters outside of Prospect Reef, Tortola when the captain reportedly gave the wheel to Morrell as he needed to use the bathroom.
Some time after, Blue Bayou collided with another vessel, Yeya, and the passengers were injured. The three persons on board the Yeya also received severe injuries. Martin Jr, a resident of Fat Hogs Bay, subsequently died from his injuries.
Charges
Morrell was formally arrested and charged on Tuesday, April 12, 2022, after an extensive police investigation. He was charged with manslaughter, causing injury to a person, and failing to render assistance following a collision.
He was offered bail in the sum of $60,000 with one signed surety. He is scheduled to appear in the Magistrate’s Court on May 31, 2022.
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Urine sample missing, No GPS info? I guess we already know the outcome.
The charge of manslaughter requires that a crime be committed that directly leads to the death of the victim. Unless it can be proved that the boat handler was *** it is hard to see what crime was being committed prior to the event.
Mr Morrell is a decent man, and I am sure that if the police ask him he would be happy to provide a further specimen!
I do. It understand why he is being prosecuted … – presumably he if had died and Mr Martin had survived then the other boy driver would be prosecuted.
Fortunately the DPP has the full confidence of the population.
The urine sample was evidence of the level of alcohol that was in his system (if he had been drinking). What would be the point in asking him to submit a sample at this point? Decent man or not, justice must be allowed to run its course. A life was lost. Had it been your relative or friend, wouldn’t you want to know what actually took place? If an illegal act led to the unfortunate incident, wouldn’t you want to know that justice was served?
The rule is a power boat yields to other boats approaching on starboard. Was that the case for Mr. Morrell? Or was he the stand-on vessel?
Secondly, biological samples have a limited shelf life. They need to be properly stored and tracked. A lot easier to analyze them expeditiously and to keep a record of the results.
Thirdly, were samples collected from the other boat’s driver?
Fourthly, there is no obligation to keep a GPS record of one’s sailed path, though cell phone records might prove informative, if they exist.
Not a good image for law enforcement.
Urine alcohol test does not measure a person’s current level of impairment from alcohol. Furthermore, because alcohol is legal in most areas of the world, it’s not a commonly administered test because alcohol could have been consumed days before a person sobriety is in question. And, if they show signs of impairment, it is not really a helpful tool.
How the h*ll you expect someone to provide a urine sample that proves if any drugs were in his system at the time of the crime months after the crime was committed! Aye mehson, please hush.
Try to understand that the specimen cannot be provided again since the sample had to be taken at the time of the accident to determine alcohol content.
What were the test results from both captains. The fluid should have been tested the day they were obtained. Right?
i think that @Hmmm had a joke at your expense!
… but some did not get the joke
… Maritime Law. “ 1. If another vessel is approaching you from the port — or left — side of your boat, you have the right of way and should maintain your speed and direction.” Does the BVI adhere to well established Maritime Law?
Does the BVI adhere to marine law? NO
What you are referring to is constructive manslaughter. There is also negligent manslaughter.
What you all expect? Which part of Tola you all ever see a w#57e m@n go prison and if they do, they just killing time until the court process?
Sometimes when people ask me where I am from, I don’t even know what to say, bc Tola is not a real place.
Boss. You FoF. 20x dark skin local get skip balsam all time. Where’s the alcohol blood test on other boat capt ? And what about the guy who killed at guana at broad daylight?!?
Scores of them, call them out.
Both urine samples needed to be tested, period.
Hmmmm…we hope this was not intentional.
Even though the sample was deliberately misplaced or lost the results of the test should be or is recorded some where
Perhaps the test was not yet completed when the urine sample went missing. WOW! the bvi cops at it again!
It takes about 15 min to obtain the results. The fact that one of the captain’s original material is missing is immaterial. What were the test results from both captains.
…
Something just isn’t adding up with all this.
No mention of the fact the captain of the other boat had been at the […] all afternoon … and collided with this boat…… where are his charges? Ridiculously one sided, totally corrupt.
… What were the results of the blood sample from the captain of the other boat? Was a test even conducted on him or any of the passengers in that boat?
CORRUPTION
Who collects the urine samples from people? Who? Someone in the medical field, that’s who!
Samples are taken by people trained to take them and that is someone from the medical field. Too many hidiots on the blog chatting peepee. Get some headucation please.
Korupshun
Only in the BVI
No not only in the BVI the real world has come to the BVI.
Ineptitude or sabotage?
..You gotta Love the BVI justice system…Clearly this man will walk for a cr….
It’s called BVI LOVE, at its finest.
So the Blue Bayou was on a compass course of around 270 degrees. What was the heading and compass course of the Yeya at the time of the collision? Or was that lost also along with the urine sample?
People with lesser crimes than manslaughter some are higher than $60,000.00??????????
One thing bout Tortola the people will sacrifice their career and integrity to SAVE *** PEOPLE. This is a COONISH society.
anything for a frikkin white man!
The British Virgin Islands is a joke when it comes to law and order, the innocent always pay for the guilty, people be seeing and knowing exactly what’s going on and turn all eyes,,, so why be surprised at this, they have had cases with no evidence and people still got jailed and treated like criminals….. so whatever to this strupppp…..
Why not request that the urine be tested there and then, get the results and save the results in a secured location. SMH.
Perhaps the test was not yet completed when the urine sample went missing. WOW! the bvi cops at it again!
Or…are the police are trying to cover their a** because they actually DIDNT take a urine sample to begin with?
The incompetence in this place makes my head hurt.
The police do not keep urine samples, the sample was taken at the hospital, so take it up with the health minister/ ministry, money talk.
@Heading, It doesn’t matter what course Yeya was on from what I understand they had on their running lights … In the BVI we have so many people operating boats that don’t know the rules of the road; Many times I had to get out of the way from been run over by a credit card captain. On the sea even if you have the right away you have to give way from causing an accident same as on the road. Operating a boat at night is not for everyone bottom line. And for your information most locals don’t use a compass but you should know that if you are a local.
Or was someone paid to get rid of it?….our police is trash!!!
Is there a possibility that the boat Mr Martin was on was in the wrong for not giving way and it is not entirely Mr Morrells fault?
It sounds like many things should have been done differently on both boats. It is an immensely tragic accident and shows what happens when everyone ignores protocol.
Even if the other boat was at fault, race will become an issue because….well this is Tola and locals do no wrong **eye roll**
How can something that was never taken or logged…be missing?
I already said, look at the Treyvon Martin case. Where they purposefully charged him with wrong charges that they couldn’t convict him on.
This whole process of arrest and trial is just a ceremonial gesture to what the eventual outcome will be.
This is why I stop paying taxes. We help feed the beast. It gets worst everyday we read the news, we have more crime because now everyone wears a mask “chuckle”. I guess this should be the new motto *Remeber masked bandits in western movies”? You really can’t judge a book by it’s cover. You watch people in uniform or in the highest office and corruption is more prevalent inside than the outside. We can’t trust our pastors, doctors, enforcement, Governments, teachers, scientist,,,, Covid test results:). I hope justice is served but without the required evidence I fear this will get swept. Notice all the recent high profile cases just got thrown out because lack of evidence. Good evidence makes a case without that plus a corrupt judicial system, bought jurors no wonder society is on a downward spiral.
We now accept anything, where have our integrity and morals gone?
The End is near and we are own demise. Stay prayed up and with an injection of Faith whoever was responsible for this tragic event will be brought to justice and not Bought justice.
Tell me how you stop paying taxes buddy because I waan stop too.
Strupez we all knew this beforehand, BVI prison is only for the N****
money talk bullsh*t walks
Have the police requested satellite surveillance weather data from this US department? Sat. afternoon 16 Oct. was a very clear afternoon so enhanced satellite videos of yacht traffic in Drake’s Channel at the time of the collision after 6pm may be available for the investigators to review.
Remember the eyes in the sky can watch us all day if there are few clouds.
Then, satellite evidence should be able tell who commit all these murders on Tola and all over the world. Why no one thought of this before??
Sorry, I just don’t think it’s that easy.
@Heading It doesn’t matter what course Yeya was on from what I understand they had on their running lights and Blue Bayou crashed into them. In the BVI we have so many people operating boats that don’t know the rules of the road; Many times I had to get out of the way from been run over by a credit card captain. On the sea even if you have the right away you have to give way from causing an accident same as on the road. Operating a boat at night is not for everyone bottom line. And for your information most locals don’t use a compass but you should know that if you are a local.
This place is rotten, top to bottom.
A man with any kind of dignity would just plead guilty to the crime. If you know you were drunk and accidentally caused the death you should just own up to it and throw yourself at the mercies of the court. It’s the right thing to do. No need for a long lengthy trial. If you made a costly mistake it doesn’t make you a terrible person. What you did was terrible but had no malicious intent so be a man and plead guilty and accept your punishment.
You don’t save urine…you test it and flush it
It’s called Taking the Pi**.
Police need breathalysers. Simple!!!!
Ummm ?
They apparently collecting dust.
It is time to hold a commission of inquiry into police force.
I am trying to understand some thing here . How is the urine sample missing ,is it the sample missing or the result?♀️Next thing why wasn’t the captain of the boat not charge to and last how the h**l on earth this man was given station bail ????? What is really happening to the laws on the justice books of this little country. my GOD it’s like the ppl in authority has no vision so everybody poor ah perish !!!father God take the wheel!
Isn’t it customary to test the urine at the time the sample is given? The result can be obtained in minutes? Did they loose the sample or the results?
Real JOKE
What else to expect
At the hospital the first person M—– asked for was the Commissioner of Police. Both of them skin colour is the same. That’s all I have to say for now!
IT WAS AN ACCIDENT ,MAYBE COULD COULD OF BEEN AVOIDED SADLY ? / BUT THERE ARE A SET OF YOUNG GUNDERLEROES WHO KILLING OTHER HUMANS IN COLD BLOOD ARE BEING FREED TO COME BACK ON THE STREET AND HAVE GAINED BRAGGING RIGHTS OF WHO ALL THEY TAKE OUT ,( AND NOT A WORD FROM THE SO CALLED HOLY MEN WHO ONLY HOLLERING NOUT RACISM COLONIALISM ETC ?
Is the other captain being charged? Both boats are at fault for the collesion and if you kill your passenger due to recklessness in a car you would get charged.
Whilst all vessels must do whatever it takes to avoid collisions there is always a vessel with the right of way. This is marine laws, something more of our boat owners need to be aware of ! What of the navigation lights, this occurred at night seems one of the vessel might not have had theirs on??
@ Right of way ,the one with out lights should have seen the one with lights coming head on .
This is messed up. Imagine if Morrell was given the wheel by the captain of the vessel for a short time and the accident/collision happened. Just unfortunate all around
Y’all think people stupid…. This is corruption at its best. They better do the right thing….
Surely its the Captain that should be charged with failing to render assistance not Morrell? Even if Morrell panicked and said lets go its squarely the Captains decision not to render assistance. The Captain also has some culpability for safety.
“ Our news centre learnt that the designated captain of Blue Bayou, his wife and children, as well as Morrell were the persons aboard the vessel on the ill-fated day.”
I would think the designated Captain who I believe is also to be the owner of the yacht would be the responsible one. The Master is always responsible for the ship. It seems Morrell was a passenger?
Good point. Scratch that charge.
yet another shining example of the incompetence/ corruption in our police force and justice system
@Oh, However you look at it A—- M—- was in the wrong, I understand he ran the boat down, the other boat had on their lights he should have seen it and alter his course I have nothing against Mr. M— but from all that was said about the accident he was in the wrong, and very wrong to leave the scene of a accident.
According to “Rule 15 Crossing Situation” of the Convention on the international Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, 1972:
• Must be two power-driven vessels, crossing (not head-on or overtaking), and involve risk of collision
• The vessel which has on her starboard side another vessel crossing must give-way
• As the give-way vessel, avoid crossing the bow when maneuvering to avoid collision
…
Pitiful – Only in the BVI. Either inept, corrupt or ignorant. Just like the whole BVI administration. COI results coming soon. This place is a joke!!
WHATS THE DRAMA ? SOME CRACKHEAD DRANK IT ACCIDENTALLY ?
you don’t need the sample…. just the report. with the findings…
As far as I know the hospital is who take samples to test for blood alcohol and provide the results to police.
International rules of the Road(water) show that the boat that was hit was travelling across the channel and was required to keep clear. Obviously both boats should always take evasive action to avoid collision but the boat that was hit did not. As a boater myself, I have had two very close calls in my 30 years of boating and I have had a friend runover by a fast moving Cigarette boat. Everyone either Driving a car or a boat need to be aware with head on a swivel!
.One of those vessels had right of way.Was this at night..in the day?Makes a big difference at night.All lights should be working/on.I’ve come back from Willy T,at night..a lot..from flat calm to Tropical depressions/that you can’t see s%$t.Make sure your compass/GPS,phone apps ready cause you never know what’s coming cross/ down the channel.A lawyer in maritime law/expert in the field is the only one who can figure this out fairly.
… people need to start being held accountable
I’m sorry that Frankie passed but please don’t waste the court’s and people time. If this information is lost—why fatten the lawyers purses for a dismissal…
How can they make a judgement on who is at fault without the urine results of BOTH captains and the gps information from BOTH captains. This sounds like a bungled investigation that they have to pin on someone.
More proof that this place is inhabited by corrupt useless police headed up by a useless white Brit who is as useless as the rest. Do we want a territory that is not a worldwide joke or not ? Hundreds of millions we spend on nothing . Pure corruption and ignorance. Demand more. … Demand accountability .
Justice for Frandie? What about justice for Andy! How can you arrest a passenger on the boat and pin a serious crime on him? The responsibility lies with the captains- the captains of both boats. Haven’t seen a news story about [the other person].
What about Frandies
Mother?