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The legal fraternity in St. Kitts and Nevis has been rocked by a recent wave of arrests and criminal charges against prominent attorneys, raising concerns about the ethical standards within the profession. The St. Kitts-Nevis Bar Association has issued a statement acknowledging the seriousness of the situation, while emphasising the importance of due process.
On 21st February 2025, Vaughan Henderson, an attorney-at-law of Saddler’s Village, and Andre Williams, also known as Andre Mills, of Newton Ground, were both arrested and charged for offences including Perverting the Course of Justice and Money Laundering. Henderson faces six charges of Money Laundering and two charges of Perverting the Course of Justice, while Williams is charged with four counts of Money Laundering and two counts of Perverting the Course of Justice. The arrests occurred at the White Collar Crime Unit’s office in Basseterre.
Three days earlier, on 18th February 2025, Craig Tuckett, a practising lawyer of Bird Rock, St. Kitts, was arrested and charged with three counts of Perverting the Course of Justice. The alleged offences took place between 10th and 30th June 2024, at Rosemary Lane, Basseterre.
In a statement, Kurlyn D. V. Merchant, President of the St. Kitts-Nevis Bar Association, said, “We take these matters with the utmost seriousness. While all individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty, the legal process must be allowed to unfold with fairness and efficiency. We encourage the public to maintain trust in the judicial system and avoid undue speculation.”
Adding to the legal turmoil, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) confirmed in January that Crown Counsel prosecutor Ms. Shantrice Dorset had been charged in connection with the murder of Mr. Akeem Archibald. The charges against Ms. Dorset include Accessory After the Fact to Murder, Attempting to Pervert the Course of Justice, Misconduct in Public Office, and Corruption. She has been denied bail and remains in custody.
Premier of Nevis Mark Brantley, himself a lawyer, expressed deep concern over the arrests of multiple members of the Bar. “Whilst everyone is presumed innocent until proven guilty, I am wondering about the current ethical underpinnings of this once noble profession,” he said. “Being a lawyer is not just about passing exams; it is about maintaining the highest ethical standards. I urge the Bar Association to thoroughly examine these incidents and take necessary actions to restore public confidence.”
The Bar Association has pledged to uphold the highest standards of legal practice and ethics, monitoring developments closely and acting within its regulatory framework to maintain the profession’s integrity.
As these cases unfold, the public is being urged to respect the judicial process and avoid sharing unverified information that could hinder justice or lead to legal repercussions.
DPP sheds light on alleged judicial interference
Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Adlai Smith has highlighted the severity of alleged judicial interference following the recent charges laid against attorney-at-law Vaughan Henderson and an unnamed police officer of the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force.
According to the DPP, the police officer, who is currently before the High Court on a charge of indecent assault, allegedly attempted to interfere with a case involving a vulnerable victim—a 12-year-old girl who reported an indecent assault incident on 28th June 2023. The officer allegedly offered the minor money in exchange for her silence.
Smith revealed that the Commissioner of Police sought legal advice in December 2023 regarding charges against the officer. After reviewing the evidence, the DPP advised that the officer be charged, leading to formal charges being laid in January 2024. However, intelligence suggesting potential external interference prompted a separate investigation into the minor’s mother.
The investigation deepened, and on 7th February 2025, a search warrant was executed at Henderson’s law offices, resulting in charges of Attempting to Pervert the Course of Justice and Money Laundering against both Henderson and the police officer.
Smith emphasised that the charges are merely allegations, and all accused individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty. He also indicated that further charges against the mother are expected.
Expressing grave concern, Smith said, “The justice system has a fundamental duty to protect children from exploitation and abuse, and any efforts to manipulate the legal process to obstruct justice will be met with the full force of the law.”
The DPP also condemned the practice of witness interference and the acceptance of financial compensation by mothers to avoid prosecuting perpetrators of sexual offences against their children. He described the trend as a betrayal of trust and a direct affront to the justice system.
Smith reiterated his warning against inappropriate social media commentary on active cases and expressed gratitude for the preservation of critical evidence in the lengthy investigation.
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