The Department of Correctional Services at Fox Hill. (File photo)
By Ricardo Wells
Tribune Staff Reporter
rwells@tribunemedia.net
A BAHAMIAN pastor sentenced to life plus 20 years on child rape charges in Georgia will be extradited after waiving his right to local legal proceedings yesterday.
In a shock declaration, Don Martin, 45, waived his right to a local hearing, begging the court to hasten his extradition back to the United States, claiming his life and well-being was being threatened almost daily by gangs at the Department of Correctional Services.
Martin, originally of Martin Town, Grand Bahama, was found guilty of repeatedly inappropriately touching a young girl in College Park and Atlanta from 2005 to 2011, according to the Atlanta Journal Constitution.
He fled to The Bahamas after five days of testimony in that trial.
In his absence, he was convicted of rape, aggravated assault, child molestation and first-degree child cruelty.
Appearing before Magistrate Samuel McKinney yesterday, Martin declared he was “ready to go” insisting that his life was being threatened by gangs at the prison.
As a part of his declaration, Martin told the court the BDCS was inhumane and no place for a person to be kept.
He said his time there, which began back in December following his arrest at the Lynden Pindling International Airport, has made his decision to proceed with extradition easy.
After being further warned by Magistrate McKinney about the ramifications of his choice, Martin maintained he wanted to waive his rights and be extradited.
“Thank you,” he said with a smile. “I have been threatened by the gangs... Fox Hill ain’t no place for nobody to stay in... I am ready to go.”
Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions Neil Brathwaite guided the matter for the Attorney General’s Office, while attorney Alex Morley appeared for Martin.
When asked about the allegations made by Martin in court yesterday, Mr Morley deferred commentary to Wayne Munroe, QC, who had previously represented Martin in the matter.
When contacted by The Tribune on the allegations, Mr Munroe said the claims would have to be looked into moving forward.
Comments
Well_mudda_take_sic 5 years, 6 months ago
LMAO
joeblow 5 years, 6 months ago
So he wants courtesies extended to him that the child did not get? How ironic!
Clamshell 5 years, 6 months ago
He’s gonna find that American prisons aren’t a very happy place, either, for men who rape little girls.
tell_it_like_it_is 5 years, 6 months ago
Sounds like he's getting his just desserts!
Actually he's getting off better than his victim, because what can a little child do against a big grown man!
What a hypocritical jerk!
moncurcool 5 years, 6 months ago
Why do our press give these big front page advertisements to criminals? Foolish. This should not even be reported.
Clamshell 5 years, 6 months ago
Yes! We should let these people’s evil deeds remain in darkness, and never hold them publicly accountable for their vicious crimes! Yes! Of course! That’s what we should do! Stay quiet, and never tarnish their reputation in the public prints. What a GREAT idea!
B_I_D___ 5 years, 6 months ago
Well said Clam
OriginalBey 5 years, 6 months ago
U.S. Prisons might be cleaner but certainly not any safer. Especially given that he is charged with raping a minor. Send him back and stop using our tax dollars to feed him.
ThisIsOurs 5 years, 6 months ago
Yep, as a child molester I don't know if US prisons will be any kinder. Dont know what it is about prison "justice", maybe it makes them feel like they're not the worst
sealice 5 years, 6 months ago
So this is testimony that sometimes our system works?
sealice 5 years, 6 months ago
and to the FHPeeps that still have their cell phones please have an extra turn on this waste of life tonite before they send him back foreign...
bogart 5 years, 6 months ago
SOoooooo.......whats all dis prominent... news.....DEFLECTING DA HORRIBLE....WUTLESS....DISPICABLE.....ACT ON ONE LIL...DEFENCELESS JUNIOR LIL GIRL CHILD....HUGE HARM...CHIELD CREULTY...2005...TO 2011.....SCARRING MEMORIES...ON DIS SMALL CHILD...PASTOR CLAIM TO FAME BETWEEN COUNTRIES...CHOOSING JAILS...DEFLECTING......HIS HORRIBLE CRIME.....!!!!!!!!!.........STOP PLAYIN WID HIM..!!!!!!.....PASTOR OF ALL PEOPLE....!!!!!!!!!!!!.......AN JAIL HIS HIP AT THE NEAREST JAIL AN THROW AWAY DA JAIL KEYS.............keep thinking for justice for small girl rest of her life.....while wutless Bahamian Pastor rape child ....running between countries wid choice of choosing more confortable jail .......!!!!!!!!!!!!!!....what about dis small girl..hurt all the rest of her life......?.??????!!!....
(an yes Bahamians done gat that a different story needed on Fox Hill Prison conditions)
John 5 years, 6 months ago
Dey juice him ay
paul_vincent_zecchino 5 years, 6 months ago
Outa the frying pan, into the fire he goes. This guy thinks that the American 'guys behind the wall' will treat him nice, all huggy wuggy, kissy wissy?
American convicts same as Bahamian convicts have kids too, and they know just how to deal with kiddie rapers. This guy's troubles are just beginning.
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