Former Bahamian political candidate convicted of molesting underage boy

2 weeks ago 6

sentenced to over 18 years in US prison

A former political candidate in the Bahamas, Marlin Newton, was unanimously convicted on Thursday of molesting an underage boy.

A jury of six women and three men delivered the verdict against the 51-year-old Newton after an hour of deliberation. Newton, who previously ran on the Democratic National Alliance ticket, was on bail during the trial but was remanded to prison following the verdict. He showed no emotion as the decision was announced.

Newton’s sentencing hearing is scheduled for October 2.

Prosecutors alleged that Newton took advantage of a 17-year-old boy on two occasions in 2019 when the teen needed a place to stay. During the trial, the now 23-year-old accuser testified about two separate incidents. The first occurred in April 2019, after he was kicked out of his home. The teen claimed he and Newton had consensual sex, but he moved out because Newton wanted him to trade sexual favors for housing.

The accuser testified that the second incident, in August 2019, resulted in rape. The teen, who was again homeless after an argument with a roommate, called Newton for help.

During a police confrontation, Newton claimed the sex was consensual. However, on the witness stand, he denied any intimacy with the teen and suggested that police had manipulated the video recording of his statement.

In her summation, Justice Guillimina Archer-Minns instructed jurors to convict if they believed intercourse took place, as the complainant, being under 18 at the time, was legally unable to consent.

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