BVI News

Fahie fires back! Attorney slams prosecution’s late motion

Disgraced former Premier, Andrew Fahie

Former premier Andrew Fahie’s legal team has fired back at US prosecutors over an attempt to introduce one of several ‘eleventh-hour’ motions filed before the court just weeks ahead of his January 8, 2024 trial.

Fahie is charged with several counts of drug smuggling, money laundering and racketeering before a Miami Court and is facing possible life imprisonment if convicted on the charges brought against him by the United States government.

Fahie’s defense attorney, Theresa Van Vliet, contends that the motion raised crucial issues for the first time, including the intention to present expert testimony and seek a jury instruction on foreign law.

Van Vliet filed a motion on December 20, strongly opposing the late disclosure and urged the court to throw it out.

The defense argued that in the three formal discovery responses provided earlier, there was no indication of the prosecution’s plan to rely on expert testimony regarding foreign law.

Van Vliet emphasised the importance of complying with Local Rule 88.10, arguing that both sides are expected to reveal any newly discovered information promptly and in good faith.

One critical point raised by Van Vliet was the practical challenge posed by the late notice.

She noted that, with less than three weeks before the trial, Fahie’s legal team would be forced to locate and engage legal experts in the United Kingdom and the Virgin Islands.

This, coupled with the need for experts to review extensive case records and transcripts, creates a logistical and time-consuming burden, potentially necessitating further delays to the already drawn out proceedings.

Van Vliet contended that the Prosecution’s failure to disclose its intent earlier puts Fahie at a severe disadvantage, preventing the defense from adequately preparing for and addressing the sudden introduction of foreign law issues.

Fahie’s attorney maintained that, due to the untimely notice, the prosecution should be prevented from introducing such expert testimony or even from seeking jury instructions related to any foreign law violations.

Fahie is currently confined to his daughters’ home in Miami, Florida as part of his $1 million bond conditions.

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34 Comments

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  1. Resident says:

    fahie just end this you can’t win

    Like 43
    Dislike 20
  2. You watch says:

    So proud our premier coming home

    Like 16
    Dislike 57
  3. Ego says:

    Dude take the plea… the Feds don’t like this kind of behavior. They have your co-defendants as confidential informants. He’s buggin bro this ain’t villa de balo. On the hood side the Feds are nice no conjugal tho so I’m sure that’s why they let the wife go wit no problem. Only other thing he can do is snitch on a bigger operation but he gotta hurry up.

    Like 31
    Dislike 4
  4. Professor Oak says:

    Boi Fat Albert dem man say yuh goose cooked! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

    Like 23
    Dislike 3
  5. It's Obvious says:

    this case will again be postponed/delayed for another three to six months.

    Nevertheless, narco trafficer don’t usually win in US courts. Who had more money than Noreiaga? Where is he now?

    Like 22
    Dislike 4
  6. NDP Supporter says:

    God is with Fahie. Whether he did all right or not it is clear what was done was evil and was aimed at unjustifiably trying to remove a fighter for the people of BVI using another country. Time will tell.

    Like 4
    Dislike 18
  7. You are not in Kansas Anymore Dorothy says:

    Oh brother!
    The man still thinks he is in the BVI where he got away with everything. The US DA does not play that way in Miami brother!
    Time to cop a plea deal and turn some of your island buddies in. Otherwise you are not going to see anything but the inside of a cell for a long time.

    Like 34
    Dislike 4
  8. Have a point says:

    Why now at this late hour unless the prosecution has a real good reason that would not seem unfair to Fahie. Is this a neutral expert whereby the defense would not need to rely on finding their own expert (as van vliet suggests) but can simply cross examine the prosecution’s expert? Still too late in the game. We talking analyzing expert reports/statements, etc. Then again, it depends on what they are providing evidence on. Will it really require 3 weeks for the prosecution to prepare or are they exaggerating. The prosecution does seem a bit disorganized. Did they forget? Was this an oversight? They had all this time. I guess all this drama is just to make the Netflix series more interesting.

    Like 8
    Dislike 2
  9. Lawdamecy says:

    That woman working for her pay bai. A good defence attorney suppose to be ahead of stuff like that, but since HC guilty as sin all she can do is state and play dumb.

    Like 16
    Dislike 5
  10. Jones says:

    Let him spend his ill gotten gains on legal fees

    Like 22
    Dislike 2
  11. I see it different says:

    if the prosecution was holding a strong hand why would they object to any defense which is almost unheard of . The rate of conviction is high because 95% of cases plead out . It only takes 1 juror to believe an entrapement secnario for the case to be hung.

    Like 5
    Dislike 2
  12. @ I SEE IT DIFFERENT says:

    YEAH , WE KNOW YOU WOULD / WE CAN SEE THAT YOU ARE READING FROM
    TOO NTHE SCRIPT TOO

    Like 4
    Dislike 1
  13. Virgin Queen says:

    How is Head Coach paying for his attorney? This woman does not come cheap.

    Like 13
    Dislike 2
  14. Too many charges says:

    They want to punished Foy to the Max. This is all a Game to make Foy attorney look good. The prosecutors they all are friends The defense will win this one as part of the game to dry his bank acc. Then again it Just too many charges on him. More than 4 serious charges. He may escape one or two. This one of travelling to the US with intent. That for sure will stick.

    Like 10
    Dislike 1
  15. @ virgin queen says:

    West bank is paying. He make it looks like he had to raise funds because they could not taken the money just so or quter mill put up the money that laundry west don’t make that kind of money

    Like 5
    Dislike 1
  16. DPP says:

    If our DPP was the prosecution, Fahie was coming home for sure! What a waste!

  17. HEY @ I C IT DIFFERENT says:

    The canary on the yello site who is notorious for creating drama that seems to possess more knowledge than anyone else in the Bvi / why aren’t YOU up there with your buddy to be his defence attorney / then wd all could ofexperience your enormous skills at work / constructively

    Like 4
    Dislike 2
  18. Watchers says:

    All i can say is that Mr. FAHIE HAS A REALLY OUTSTANDING LAWYER. MY HEART ALREADY TELLS ME HE WILL WIN HIS CASE TOO. I HAVE READ THIS LAWYERS BACK GROUND AND THIS LADY KNOWS HER STUFF. SHE IS WELL VERSE with knowllege.

    Like 6
    Dislike 6
    • Think outside the box says:

      This come with a price a very hefty price too. I don’t think it have anyone in the Caribbean have the kind of cash to keep this lawyer working all the way….mine you. You’re not talking about west bank kind of money here..You’re talking about El chapo kind of money. 3000 keys per shipment….someone will crumble here with the kind of bill hitting them

  19. Tongue Fu says:

    A lot of people are suggesting that the case vs Fahie is a slam dunk but I beg to differ. In the past week the Prosecution has filed motions to prevent Fahie’s defense team from using the entrapment defense and to allow hearsay and now they are asking for expert witnesses to be allowed to testify 3 weeks before trial. If Fahie’s case is such a slam dunk why the push to block the entrapment defense? Why the last minute request to include an expert witness in foreign law?

    One thing for sure Van Vliet is no joke. She was a reknowned Prosecutor first so she knows their playbook. One thing in America is once you can afford a high paid attorney you have a chance in the justice system just ask OJ.

    Interesting days lie ahead.

    Like 4
    Dislike 2
    • Exactly says:

      You are on point .This myth that the US system is about justice ia a fallacy and most in the US know that. It is all about economics .

      Like 2
      Dislike 1
    • Exactly says:

      You are on point .This myth that the US system is about justice is a fallacy and most in the US know that. It is all about economics .

      Like 1
      Dislike 1
    • Redstorm says:

      @Tongue Fu,
      You are the only blogger that is analyzing the case to some relative and sensible extent. It’s the best a persecutor can do, when there is not much to hold on to. It just show weakness in the case.

  20. lol says:

    Check the temperature on that turkey. Its almost done

    Like 5
    Dislike 1
  21. Guest says:

    Firing back with a 38 when it’s a Tech-9 pointing at him.

    Like 5
    Dislike 1
  22. @ mr TONGUR FOO says:

    U TALK DE TROOT – OR U NO TALK DE TROOT ? IS IT ABOUT WININ , WEDDA HE GUILTEE OR HE NO GUILTEE ? AND FINALLY DO U READ DE SCRIPTURES FROM DE BIBLE OR DE SCRIPT FROM HOLLYWOOD

  23. @ WATCHERS says:

    we hope you does read the Bible too

  24. Hmmm says:

    Prosecution should never have said OK to all the things that head coach requested. Look how he lawyer turning around and biting dem hand! Same hand that gave him those concessions he requested.

  25. FACIAL EXPRESSION says:

    Is saying )> ya’ll holding me back mehson , ah ah gah ah islund waiting on meh ( am still their coach

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