BVI News

Fahie’s attorney poses probing questions for jury selection

Disgraced former Premier, Andrew Fahie

As the highly anticipated trial of former Premier Andrew Fahie approaches on next month, his attorney Theresa Van Vliet is intensifying preparations. She submitted a comprehensive list of probing questions for the crucial jury selection process to the court last week, leaving no stone unturned.

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

Among the critical questions posed to potential jurors, Van Vliet explores their familiarity with the case and its key players. Her inquiry begins with whether prospective jurors have prior knowledge of Fahie or his co-accused, Oleanvine Maynard, who is expected to testify for the prosecution as its key witness.

Jurors were asked, for instance, whether there is anything about the nature of the case or hearing whether there is a conspiracy charge to import a controlled substance and money laundering that creates any doubt in their mind about their ability to be fair and impartial jurors.

They were also pressed on whether the nature of the case causes them to believe that the charges have merit, even before hearing the evidence. “If the case was handed to you right now, how would you vote – guilty or not guilty?” Van Vliet asked.

The questions aim to gauge any pre-existing opinions or impressions formed by the jurors based on their awareness of the defendant and the case details.

Looking further at potential biases, Van Vliet also examines the jurors’ possible exposure to media coverage of the alleged crimes committed by Fahie.

Meanwhile, the attorney also explores the jurors’ backgrounds, including their residence, connections to the Virgin Islands, and experiences related to the case’s subject matter.

Notably, she examines any potential negative impacts jurors or their close associates may have experienced due to drug use or addiction, probing for insights that could influence their perspectives on the charges of conspiracy to import a controlled substance and money laundering.

The series of questions extends to the jurors’ professional lives, with inquiries into their education, employment, and involvement in sectors such as law enforcement, foreign government service, and areas relevant to the case, such as accounting or politics.

Van Vliet also addresses the inherent challenge of unconscious bias by asking potential jurors about their perceptions of politicians and their ability to set aside any unconscious stereotypes.

In her questions to the court, the attorney underscored the importance of jurors refraining from independent research, emphasising the prohibition against internet searches and communication about the case.

Fahie’s trial is scheduled to get underway on January 8, 2024 in a Miami, Florida, courtroom.

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21 Comments

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  1. NDP Supporter says:

    A very wise lawyer.

  2. Tom says:

    Free the dew free Gaza

    Like 4
    Dislike 26
  3. have faith says:

    God be with you Andrew

    Like 5
    Dislike 24
    • @have faith says:

      Have faith? Where was his faith when he pretended to pray before doing a drug deal? Allegedly!

    • Which one? says:

      Which god? He tried to mock The Almighty God when it was shown in document that he rather the counsel of devils. Let him call his god to rescue him. Apart from that, it’s sincere repentance

  4. There is an inherent bias in these kind of cases says:

    whereby a person from a different country is being prosecuted in another, in this case, the US.

    What’s that bias you may ask? Well, a person is so posed to be tried before a jury of their peers; however, this will not obviously be the case here. US citizens are not Head Coaches peers.

    Many countries today have these extradition treaties between them whereby persons accused of crimes that affect the other’s country in some way can be brought to the affected country for prosecution.

    Clearly this is not an extradition case outright but it will be similar set of laws that will be to prosecute Head Coach.

    The US learned from experience when their attempt to extradite a now deceased alleged drug smuggler to the US and was stimmed by local courts, thus their sting operation that led to getting all alleged co-conspirators on US soil.

    At any rate, nothing unusual with the defense jury selection question. Quite normal. Both sides (defense & prosecution) does this hoping to get jurors who are more likely to be favorable to their positions.

    Jury selection is key to winning cases such as these. I am of the opinion that based on all evidence in public thus far that Head Coach is facing stiff head winds, and his best bet here is to get a hung jury.

    If his attorney can get the right jurors on this case and get it hung, that would be a win depending on the number of not guilty votes and the prosecution’s appetite for a retrial if hung.

    Like 10
    Dislike 11
    • Really? says:

      And you think a jury of his BVI peers would convict him? No matter how strong the evidence,it simply would not happen here.

  5. Local says:

    I offering bets who’s up for it My call Fahie coming in not guilty this case is nothing but entrapment. Place your bet call your shot.

    Like 3
    Dislike 3
  6. Question? says:

    What happens when a government official from the BVI is accused of a crime in another country and needs legal representation as in this case?

    Does the BVI government contribute to their legal defense financially or are they on their own?

    I wonder about this because here you have the former Premier being tried in a U.S. court. We know a friend has assisted him with bail money; however beyond that, what financial obligations the BVI has in such situations even if it’s an alleged conspiracy to launder drugs in to the U.S.?

    Anyone informed person who cares to opine, please do so.

    Like 2
    Dislike 7
    • Plebs… says:

      Financial assistance you asking for?!?! Hmmm. What kind of moronic comment/question is that? He can use his Greedy Bill money and the thousands of dollars the BVI Treasury pays to one of his many accounts so he can HELP HIMSELF!

      Did the government and/or public encourage F.Albert to go rogue and align himself with the so-called Sinaloa Cartel? Was the BVI Treasury going to handle his transactions and take a small processing fee? Gtfoh with you retarded concern about his ability to finance his legal woes….by his own admission (allegedly); he’s done this before and should have funds stashed away for such a time.

      • Question? says:

        Lord have mercy. I asked a question, but I never expected to be called all sorts of names. LOL. Well sa.

        I guess I got my answer despite not in the manner I had expected. You said what you said. I have no choice other than to take my “moronic” question, and go hide somewhere. You did not have to mash me up so. LOL.

        Seriously, I didn’t think the government was providing any support legal or otherwise or was obligated to, but I just asked nevertheless.

    • Answer says:

      He is not an elected official of the Government. Keep in mind we did have another election and he was not on the ballet.

  7. THIS IS IT says:

    He had an opportunity of a life time but surrounded himself with a wannabe attorney like the one using the name ( QUESTION ) who thought he owned the ( HOA ) and the city slicker ( CONSULTANT * csc) etc , now this egomaniac trying to create drama ,like , free the drew / and the dude in Miami , (. who bragged that it wasn’t his first RodeO / had a friend which seems to have a lot of $$$$ to help him , so let him do it again / hey easy come easy go . then again we have been hearing of a lot of drug bursts these days here and around the Caribbean , so that might be a FRIG as * cSc * has said so all those hypocrites should chip in to protect the SAINT from them white colonialist slave masters

    Like 1
    Dislike 3
  8. @ answer says:

    that canary ( drama ) Queen with the blonde wig just love to be in everything , and hasn’t gotten the message as yet , so he creates stories to get attention by writing all kinds of fantasies to get attention to himself as usual

  9. People stop being hypocrites says:

    Andrew fall prey to the bait and the trapped set for him . If he was not greedy he would not have fallen for the bait . He has to take a deep look as to why he got himself in such a mess . The UK could not have gotten him there if his hands were clean
    As a nation, we need to stop and put wrong behaviour in its right perspective. Stop blaming Slavery and the Uk

  10. Virgin Queen says:

    I predict that ‘Head Coach’ will be making license plates for some time.

    Don’t forget that he accepted $20k in cash from the CI at the beginning of all this nonsense.

    Can’t wait to hear how he will try to spin that small detail!

  11. Holy ghost says:

    Fahie has the best lawyer in the USA. Did any o e stop to research on his lawyer. She is the best and is doing a great job. Fahie is co.i g out free from all this novel. IF YOU READ CAREFULLY HER ARGUEMENT U WILL KNOW. HE WAS JUST DETRONED BECAISE IT DID NOT BENEFIT THEM TO HAVE HIM IN YHE THRONE.

    Like 1
    Dislike 2
  12. Joe says:

    At the last minute, on January 8th, Fahie will plead guilty in court before the judge.

    He has no credible defence.

    Like 3
    Dislike 1
  13. Native Tongue says:

    NDRW fahie gad no dam business going with strange people to look at fake a** money. I’ll just rest this here.

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