Tourist charged with rape

The Nassau Guardian

Tourist charged with rape

An American visitor accused of rape was denied bail in a magistrate’s court yesterday.

Ryan Doherty, 26, of New York, is charged with raping a 20-year-old female tourist at Paradise Island on Monday.

Doherty was not required to enter a plea during his arraignment.

Prosecutor Clifford Daxon objected to bail on the basis that he has no status in The Bahamas and has no ties here. Daxon said there is a chance the American will not return to the country for trial.

He noted that Doherty arrived in New Providence on August 14 and had permission to be here until August 21.

Doherty’s attorney Kimberly Evans asked Acting Chief Magistrate Joyann Ferguson-Pratt to consider granting bail.

She said he is fully employed in New York as a network engineer. She said he was expected to return to work yesterday.

Evans added that he has no prior criminal record in the United States of America or in The Bahamas.

She said he is educated and has a degree from the College of Westchester in New York.

But Ferguson-Pratt also noted that there is no guarantee that Doherty will return for trial.

However, Evans said based on his character there is no reason why he should be considered a flight risk.

Evans said her client is willing to put up $8,000 to $10,000 for bail.

He could get assistance from his family if the magistrate were to set bail at a higher amount, she said.

Evans said Doherty earns $50,000 per year.

But Ferguson-Pratt said she could not grant bail. She made that decision after taking a break to research the bail law.

“Had this been vested in me, it is very likely that this court would have taken another course,” she said.

“...My hands are tied and I’m bound by the law.”

Doherty held his face and sighed heavily when Ferguson-Pratt revealed her decision.

Ferguson-Pratt noted that Doherty can appeal the decision in the Supreme Court.

Daxon said the matter will be forwarded to the Office of the Attorney General for review.

The prosecution intends to proceed by way of a voluntary bill of indictment (VBI), which will fast track the case to the Supreme Court.

The case was adjourned until November 8.

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