George Prince Williams (Appellant) v The King (Respondent) (Bahamas)

Case summary

Case ID

JCPC/2025/0068

Jurisdiction

Bahamas

Parties

Appellant(s)

George Prince Williams

Respondent(s)

The King

Issue

Issues include whether (i) the Court of Appeal’s decision is procedurally invalid; (ii) the Court of Appeal erred in respect of various matters relating to the trial judge’s approach; (iii) the prosecution failed to do disclose material evidence; and (iv) the appellant’s sentence is unduly severe.

Facts

The appellant, George Prince Williams, was charged with two counts of murder. The particulars were that, on 23 April 2008, at Freeport, Grand Bahama, the appellant was a passenger, alongside Terrel Mingo, in a vehicle driven by Dwan Culmer. It is said that the appellant and Terrel Mingo exited the vehicle and entered a residence, where there was a sound likened to firecrackers. Only the appellant returned and, later, two men were discovered with apparent gunshot injuries to the head, Andy Wilfrid Weekes and Terrel Mingo. The first trial against the appellant was aborted at the close of the prosecution’s case. The second trial was aborted in the middle of the prosecution’s case. On the third trial, the appellant was convicted on both counts of murder. The appellant appealed those convictions before the Court of Appeal of Bahamas. The Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal. The appellant now appeals to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council.

Date of issue

21 July 2025

Case origin

PTA

Permission to Appeal

Justices

Lord Briggs

Lord Hamblen

Lord Burrows

Permission to Appeal decision date

10 March 2026

Permission to Appeal decision

Refused

Permission to appeal is refused on the ground that it is not arguable that there has been a serious miscarriage of justice.

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