Desperation is Bankruptcy – Collateral Consequences of Bowen
By Franchesca Sterling
The 2023 elections of Antigua and Barbuda was unlike any other in its history. The underlying gangsterism motif during this election only served to diminish the attempt at curating positive campaign messaging and increased doubts among many in the electorate. Bullying tactics play no constructive role in our society and it should not be supported by anyone.
The most abhorrent result stemming from the 2023 election was the notorious election of a formerly convicted felon who appealed his case, and won it, not on the basis of the facts of the killing of the lady victim, but rather on judicial procedure. The appeal allowed for a retrial at the discretion of the Director of Public Prosecutions. This retrial never occurred. Now, Sherfield Bowen, the formerly convicted felon who served part of his sentence in prison will have the privilege of holding a seat in the sacred House of Assembly as a lawmaker.
Why in the World is it much harder to be selected as a beauty pageant contestant than a person seeking to contest elections in Antigua and Barbuda?
This option, of Sherfield Bowen, should have never been imposed by the United Progressive Party (UPP) leadership on the people of Antigua and Barbuda. It is an injustice and a reckless act. While the Constitution of Antigua and Barbuda is quite clear on what merits the disqualification of those seeking to be elected into our National Assembly, the leadership of the UPP should have been guided by a moral compass instead of misjudgment clouded by the desire for power.
Section 39 (1) (e) of the Constitution of Antigua and Barbuda states that “No person shall be qualified to be elected as a member of the House who – …has been sentenced to imprisonment (by whatever name called) for a term of or exceeding twelve months…”. Sherfield Bowen served approximately two and half years in prison out of his 5-year sentence for manslaughter. As mentioned before, he appealed his case, and in 2007, the Appeal ruled that his criminal case for the fatal shooting of his lady victim, who carried no weapon on her person, be placed on retrial at the discretion of the Director of Public Prosecutions. The retrial never occurred.
The Antigua and Barbuda public, under the Gaston Browne administration, saw two resignations on account of criminal indictments levied against two elected Ministers of Government. As highlighted before, one needs to be sentenced to imprisonment for a “term of or exceeding twelve months” in order to be disqualified from serving as a member in our sacred Parliament, but Prime Minister Gaston Browne knew that harboring any possible criminal element in his government until a verdict was rendered would only denigrate the public trust and compromise the principles of good governance – transparency and accountability.
As a result of these two resignations, and a subsequent suspension of a Minister for not acting as a team player within his Ministerial role, the Gaston Browne administration suffered the collateral consequences of these irresponsible figures.
I for one, can only surmise that it was by divine intervention that the Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party won by one seat. That was not luck. That was fate.
If the United Progressive Party was capable of bending the rules in desperation and lowering its standard for presenting sub-par candidates to the electorate, then I certainly could not have rested well at night had they won this 2023 election. And so long as Bowen is on the slate, the United Progressive Party will not win any other.
Let’s imagine the unthinkable for a moment. Could you really imagine Sherfield Bowen as Minister with responsibility for Gender Affairs – meeting survivors of gender-based violence and advocates against violence against women and girls at local, regional and international conferences? Could you really envisage Sherfield Bowen as Minister of Foreign Affairs meeting with other foreign dignitaries and foreign leaders? Trust that they would not meet him, and no one would wish to work with him. Bowen would not have commanded the respect required to fulfill any Ministerial role. It is unthinkable.
Desperation is bankruptcy. That entire UPP slate is bankrupt from it all, including moral competence.
While he may have willingly accepted the call by the opposition to contest these recent elections as a choice for St. Phillip South, Sherfield Bowen should never have been imposed as the opposition choice for the electorate.
Never in my life would I have expected to learn that anyone would be so desperate to elect an individual who irresponsibly used his gun to kill someone. Why was the gun even taken out? During the trial, Bowen said it was instinct. How nice. Instinct is me breathing air.
Even if a grossly fecal job was done in St. Phillip South by the incumbent Labour candidate that caused voters to suffocate in that constituency to the point of desperation to vote for a man convicted of manslaughter, the vote in favor of Bowen cannot be forgiven. I do not know Antigua and Barbuda people to be submissive and uncreative.
I implore that the people of St. Phillip South and Antigua and Barbuda pressure the leadership of the United Progressive Party to remedy their mistake by petitioning Sherfield Bowen to vacate his seat and call a by-election in St. Phillip South where a quality candidate who has never been convicted of a felony can be put in place there. We have upstanding and worthy members in our society who are qualifiable to represent our country and the people of St. Phillip South.
Even though Sherfield Bowen won his appeal, a life was lost in the end. We must vote with a conscience and not out of desperation.
(Franchesca Sterling is an advisor to the Secretary General of the Organization of American States, with previous experience as a litigation specialist at Whiteford Taylor and Preston, LLP. She holds a BA in Political Science and Spanish Studies, and a Masters in International Business. The views expressed in this article are solely her own.)
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A BEY………that a bun ar yu……THE PEOPLE OF ST PHILLIPS SOUTH HAS SPOKEN AND YOU CANNOT DO A DAM THING ABOUT IT…NEITHER YOU GASTON NAR NOBODY….A DE PEOPLE VOTE FOR HIM, NOT MILLIONS OF DOLLARS LIKE WHAT MELFORD DO TO HAROLD OR MOLWYN DO TO JONATHAN NOR CUTIE DO TO FRANZ.
R U CARNT STOP DIS TRAIN YA.
SICK A AR YOU ABLP PESTS NOW
@ Pests: UPP has no scruples or integrity.
The world must be laughing at Antigua to have in parliamentarians who has
… an individual who has been accused of taking the life of young girl and her unborn child
… a former teacher who has been accused of beating a child thus causing the child to be walking with limp now
…. an individual who has been accused of dipping his hand in a collection plate & destroying marriages
Kudos to the writer, Franchesca Sterling, for being honest and fearless in expressing her sentiments about this matter. I have long said that it was a grave injustice the UPP committed when they unleashed Sherfield Bowen as a candidate. It is also a reflection of who we are as a people that a killer was elected to the Parliament. It says something about the people’s lack of a moral compass. It is just like in the time of Jesus, according to Stumpy. They chose Barabbas the murderer over Jesus. Nutten ain’t change!
@Wash an’ Basin…
A…The majority people of Freetown abhor ALP/ABLP for what happened to their lands at Willoughby Bay, Half Moon Bay and of course Mill Reef. Can you say, they were robbed legally?
B…I quite sure, you’re familiar with the Bloom Cooper Enquiry, the Gun Running through Antigua, Barbuda & Redonda under the ALP/ABLP Administration to South America and of course Africa to help destabilise several Nations, in those regions.
(i)…Can you say Vere Bird Jr(II) was not only implicated in the Gun Running Schemes but was found, not fit to hold Public Office by the Bloom Cooper Enquiry?
(ii)…Can you say Vere Bird Jr(II) was not only re-elected by Rural South but was given a portfolio in the Government as well?
Now, while Bowen should be held and was done so, for the shooting and that a young lady lost her life, Franchesca Sterling can do some more in-depth research and tell Us, how many died from those guns used in military actions, how many diplomats did Vere Bird Jr(II) met with and how is this different, now, that Bowen has being ELECTED to the Parliament?
Our Nation’s History MUST not be one-sided, if Our future is gonna DEMAND proper accountability.
Ras Smood aka Jumbee_Picknee
De ‘ole Dutty Peg_Foot Bastard
Vere Cornwall Edwards.
@Ras Smood January 31, 2023 At 9:13 am
What a flawed argument, blaming the gun dealer or gun manufacturer for the deeds of the murderer. I guess you will next blame the car dealer and car company for the dead of every death that occurs with the use of a car.
How stupid can one get. Well cannot expect any better from a UPP follower
@From The Sideline…
A…your nonsensical rhetoric only gives me positive strength.
B…I don’t follow(not even my mother or even the gods many bow to)regarding issues which affect HUEmanity, therefore, I could give a #skunks_ass about politicians, political parties and their henchfolks regarding my deduction’s of #Shitty and #Shifty situations which affects all.
C…Mr. Arrogant_Condescending aka From The Sideline, as you read and comprehend these thoughts, the fact of the matter, in life’s matter is that…
(i)…uneasy lies the head(Gaston Browne), that wears the Crown, therefore, his minions such as you have to defend.his actions, right or wrong at all cost.
(ii)…it’s obvious with the degree of separation in the Parliament, and the fact, that one of ABLP’s MASTERMIND – Asot Michael who have being showered with shit from the said Political Party which he guided to victory for decades, has REVERSED course and will continue to dump shit all over ABLP with far reaching consequences, some of which could parallel the Vere Bird Jr(III) Gun running cartel internationally and could have some doing time in the penitentiary like R.A. Stanford and Leroy King!(Chet Greene 🤢 is waiting patiently with a tub of lard to ease Gaston along).
Again, your ASSumptuon, that I follow political party’ UPP/ABLP or any other, speaks and smells like the shit your spewing regarding my personal opinion – RE: Sheffield Bowen and his victory in St. Phillips South.
Ras Smood aka Jumbee_Picknee
De ‘Ole Dutty Peg_Foot Bastard
Vere Cornwall Edwards
Franchesca Sterling,
You are nothing more than a wannabe, singing for your supper. However, I commend you for getting that gig that pays a lot for doing nothing. There is nothing to advise on. Collect your money and shut-up. A by-election should be called for the country on a whole.. Labour Party would be turned on it’s head. Gaston need to be careful where he borrowing money, the 80 million is blood money. Take the mote out of Gaston’s eye and come again. We are worse off in Antigua for having Gaston in it. We certainly don’t need your silliness to add to the failure. GALANG AND TAKE GASTON WITH YOU. BY THE WAY, WHO KILLED THE YOUNG MAN FROM CUSTOMS, NIGEL CHRISTIAN? WE NEED JUSTICE FOR HIM.
well said author! If a KILLER can “represent” Freetown people in parliament, then PEDOPHILES, RAPISTS and CHILD MOLESTERS stand by for your turn……
The CONVICTED PEDOPHILE IAN MAGIC HUGHES can give it a shot by UPP standard! He already on Crusader Radio, so can use the airwaves and his show to launch his campaign. C’mon Magic
https://antiguaobserver.com/magic-jailed-for-sex-crime/
There is a prime minister who was 24 years old when his now wife was born.
It’s possible that he is also her father.
Is he a pedophile or rapist
How many were coerced by a prime minister to take the jab and died as a result. Who is the murderer?
Boss man, is YOU the one NOT listening. The will of the people have spoken. They WANTED him SUBSTANTIALLY more than who was there. Go cuss Gaston for not sending up a worthy candidate.
Also the court said it ought not to be retried—did you bother to read?
You must be mixing it up with the Attorney General’s case where the PRIVY COUNCIL said it could be retried and left it to the DPP who is now awaiting his own trial.
It was for the very people of the constituency from which the young lady hailed to have rejected him if they opposed. They did the OPPOSITE.
Your view now does not matter. His party is not ruling, he will represent the interests of his constituents or they will vote him out, if dem find somebody other than Chuku for a start.
You live in the constituency? Even if you do, the majority of us have spoken.
Gaston and Mary Claire them didn’t get convicted and lost their appeal?
What else should people with no conviction be barred from doing according to you?
I wish Mr. Bowen well and hope he will not be sidetracked by you all and do a good job for US
filthy lucre the night before elections
#FreetownPeople
#CanBeBought
@St Phillips Resident – the Privy counsil said no such thing re Benjamin. They stated its up to the police, though they should seriously consider the opinion of the DPP (He felt there was no case). The police decided to move forward and then later halted by the now former COP admitting in court there was insufficient evidence to proceed. The judge had to end the case. As far as Bowen you are wrong. Two of the 3 judges in essence put it on the DPP to decide (one of the same 2 insisted on a retrial for justice sake). You guys really need to stop ruining from the truth, before you go mad. Accepting it can truly help setting you free
When is the next small business pull up? Was it all an election gimmick?
Think carefully about what you are saying here. As despicable as you want to paint Mr. Bowen….do you understand how much worse the constituents viewed Mr. Weston.
You do not live here and did not read the judgment properly. Next, more valid opinion please.
Don’t ask the UPP to vacate. ASK the GOVERNMENT to CHANGE THE CONSTITUTION. Make them fix it so it never happens again.
If you get raped and kill your rapist in the act. NEVER be allowed to run for politics. If you have a vehicular accident and someone dies, same. Ok, change it and make it clear that no one who has killed under any circumstance whatsoever is eligible for the House. The government is literally there to make and change laws right?
That the person you have painted WON. RESOUNDINGLY. The will of the people was LOUD.
@Frank – Look at how you placed the victim by making it look as if she was the perpetrator (if you get raped..) Hope no one ever does to a family member of yours what Bowen did to that pregnant lady he once professed love for
Go phuck yourself, u laborite.
Looking forward to your next article about the treating and theft of the election.
Antigua was not willed to the labor party
JUSTICE FOR TESSA BARTHLEY!!
OPEN BACK THE CASE
JUSTICE FOR TESSA BARTHLEY!!!
OPEN BACK THE CASE
JUSTICE FOR TESSA BARTHLEY!!!
OPEN BACK THE CASE
JUSTICE FOR TESSA BARTHLEY!!!!
OPEN BACK THE CASE
JUSTICE FOR TESSA BARTHLEY!!!!
OPEN BACK THE CASE
JUSTICE FOR TESSA BARTHLEY!!!!!
OPEN BACK THE CASE
JUSTICE FOR TESSA BARTHLEY!!!!!
OPEN BACK THE CASE
JUSTICE FOR TESSA BARTHLEY!!!!!
OPEN BACK THE CASE
JUSTICE FOR TESSA BARTHLEY!!!!
OPEN BACK THE CASE
“Ms. Barthley, 22, was shot in the neck on Dec. 16 at Mr. Bowen’s office. The police said Mr. Bowen’s gun went off during a scuffle. Ms. Barthley was put on life support but died Tuesday of a heart attack, hospital officials said.”
@ Tessa Barthley, I was just waiting for u to comment on the article. I think u should just give it up now….. yall can jump high or jump low he is NOW Hon. Shefield Bowen!! The people has spoken. End of!
Time longer than rope!!
Emergency Medical Services were there attending to Ms. Barthley. There was blood on her neck. The detectives spoke with Bowen. He handed over to Sergeant Edwards a black PIETRO BERETTA .25 PISTOL which contained 8 rounds of ammunition. The police recovered a spent shell and other items from the scene of the incident. Bowen was detained.
a black PIETRO BERETTA .25 PISTOL
a black PIETRO BERETTA .25 PISTOL
a black PIETRO BERETTA .25 PISTOL
a black PIETRO BERETTA .25 PISTOL
a black PIETRO BERETTA .25 PISTOL
a black PIETRO BERETTA .25 PISTOL
a black PIETRO BERETTA .25 PISTOL
a black PIETRO BERETTA .25 PISTOL
a black PIETRO BERETTA .25 PISTOL
a black PIETRO BERETTA .25 PISTOL
a black PIETRO BERETTA .25 PISTOL
a black PIETRO BERETTA .25 PISTOL
a black PIETRO BERETTA .25 PISTOL
a black PIETRO BERETTA .25 PISTOL
a black PIETRO BERETTA .25 PISTOL
a black PIETRO BERETTA .25 PISTOL
a black PIETRO BERETTA .25 PISTOL
a black PIETRO BERETTA .25 PISTOL
a black PIETRO BERETTA .25 PISTOL
a black PIETRO BERETTA .25 PISTOL
You need therapy. Not a single commenter on here can help you with your obsession with Mr. Bowen. You tried your damndest for over a year. He WON.
Literally, go seek therapy
@ Jessi
EXACTLY!!!! BUT HE NOT GIVING UP…….IS SHAME DEM SHAME AND EMBARASS FOR THE BLOW OUT!!!!!!
THEY NEED TO STUDY WHERE THE MONEY GONNA COME FROM TO PAY PENSIONS AND SALARIES!!!
@Jessi
“He WON”???? NO. HE DID NOT!! He got a measly 5 years in jail. That is not enough!!!
If u think it’s merely about an election, you are ignorant, shallow and gullible.
The work continues. Tessa, her unborn child/Ren, her brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews and classmates will not become a statistic!!
So while you glorify a MARRIED MAN COWARD!!! Remember you or your female relative wouldn’t wish for such evil incident to befall you/them.
They heard what sounded like a firecracker. Shortly thereafter, Constable Charles went towards his vehicle which was parked in the vicinity of Bowen’s office. He saw Bowen sitting on the steps of the building which housed his office. He saw Ms. Barthley lying on the ground not far from his motor car.
– Hmmmmm
Just Saying
SHERFIELD BOWEN SHOT TESSA BARTHLEY
UPP’s SHERFIELD BOWEN SHOT TESSA BARTHLEY
Where is the GUN that SHERFIELD BOWEN used to SHOOT TESSA BARTHLEY??? 🤔👀
TESSA BARTHLEY had already chosen BABY NAMES
Smh
Ok. DUMB DUMB, enough of your crap. Give someone else a chance to write something
Pearl “FOOTS” Quinn
Gladys Potter EMPTY HEAD
Franz DeFreitas G-R-E-A-T-F-U-L
Cleon DON’T TELL DADDY HOWDY
Pringle CA-CAPA-TI-TAH and MASKses
Serpent FARMing FOOL & DICTATOR
Peter Redz CAN’T TALK
Jonathan “VOTE ALP”
King Lyadd Lovell Limpy Joe IMF
Alex ABOUT TO EXIT
Sean LAZY FORNICATOR
APOSTLE SHUGY SIMON
Alister “inTERllectual” Thomas
BUT NONE OF THEM EVER!!!! TOOK THE LIFE OF AN UNARMED BLACK GIRL!!! 😢 😭 😢 😭
@ Smh
AND YET THE PEOPLE OF ST PHILIPPS SOUTH VOTED OVERWHELMINGLY FOR HIM.
THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE HAVE SPOKEN. HE DID NOT VOTE FOR HIMSELF. SO YOU HATE THE PEOPLE OF FREETOWN AND BETHESDA???
BOWEN WAS THEIR CHOICE——-SO YOU HATE THEM FOR THAT?????? 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
I thought the election was over. I thought Labour has a one seat majority.
Is it now we are entering the “REAL” election! Are we now in a fight to see who can and will control the majority by more than one seat?
Get some sleep! 17/02/2023 will be a marathon session.
What is going on here? You would think that the ALP’s narrow win was enough to shut these ass kissing, propaganda spreading, mud slinging Labourites up, but they continue. My God? Move on? Whatever the reason, the courts have ruled and this man can not be tried again. Give it up! Before you go mud slinging, look at the ALP personnel in cabinet. Traitors, flip-flops, inept, incompetent, clueless, and the list goes on and on. In fact, start with the biggest fraud since antiquity, Gaston Browne. He is the worst finance minister anywhere on planet earth, claiming accomplishments that not even Sherlock Holmes could find. Pussy Salad could not handle the water situation if his life depended on it, Molwyn Joseph has brought Medical Benefit and Solid Waste to their knees, Max cant tell whether he’s going or coming, except the 6 million he got for an idle building, Daryl Matthew is fumbling his way along as Antigua’s education ranks outside the top ten in the region. It would take me a month to chronicle it all.
@Watching you are such a liar. The appeals court never ruled what you claim. Fact is the writer is correct, they called for a retrial, but left the decision up for the DPP. One of them even went further and stated a retrial was essential for justice to be done.
THE OAS needs to look into its inner self. They are more corruptive an Organization than those leaders in Latin America and the Caribbean.
The comments coming from most of Laborites. Has anyone in the Labor Party ever done anything wrong? I can see why you all liked to be bull-pooped. Does it feel good?
@ wanna bee
lol, lol, lol, lol, lol, lol, lol, lol, lol,
they not giving up……EVEN THOUGH BOWEN AND SIMON ANNIHALATED THEM.
SORE BAT_Y LOSERS.
THEY HARASSED BOWEN FOR TWO YEARS ON HERE AND THE PEOPLE STILL VOTED FOR HIM BY A HUGE MARGIN. TIME TO GIVE UP……THEY ARE WASTING THEIR TIME, LOL
@ wanna bee
Franchesca Sterling endorses everything you wrote.
She is just another high -T and tight -T, stuck up laborite
Gyal tek your victory and run
Check out the credentials of the writer. This is not a political hack like many of the so-called independent writers. Solid argument and reference to the constitution. The problem I have with democracies such as these is that no matter what we need to respect the will of the people. Do you want Jesus or Barabas. The crowd shouted, “Give us Barabas the murderer”. What then can anyone say if even Caesar obeyed the crowd’s wishes? Just wash our hands for the choice the people of St. Philips South. Let whatever curse be on them and them alone.
@ From The Sideline
DITTO DITTO
Should we ‘just wash our hands for the choice of the people of Antigua’ voting back the ABLP? Let whatever curse be on them and them alone’…….the same thing applies here YOU DAM BLASTED HYPOCRITE. THE PEOPLE HAVE VOTED AND YOU CANNOT TAKE AWAY THEIR RIGHTS. DEM NAR WANT LABA UP DEY.
We have a leader that look to enrich himself while people are suffering that is a murderer, sell out the country that is a rapist,left the citizens to starve by making a vaccine mandate no jab no job
Franchesca Sterling
For 9 consecutive years and counting, Gaston Browne government has been underperforming and doing pure Bshit to the poor people in Antigua and Barbuda and not a word from you the intellect.
Now, you come crying because your labor party, though victorious, performed below expectations in the election.
So, my advice to you, is? enjoy the victory and be an advisor to Gaston and Maria Labor Party. They need help.
Sidelines: Let he who is without sin cast the first stone. The credentials of the letter writer does not mean one damn thing to me. The OAS, what a damn circus of an organization.
@tell him, I never made any claims, so I resent your statements. I am saying move the hell on. How long ago did this happen? Come on.
@Sideline, the credentials of the writer? I wish you knew about these OAS perpetrators… it is all a money making scheme. They care about nothing else but collecting money under false pretense. The writer talk about Bowen meeting with foreign dignitaries and leaders, they would not want to meet with him. Yet still, Gaston Browne who is a criminal in his own right, for enriching himself at the expense of poor people, went to Saudi Arabia and borrowed money from someone accused of a terrible crime too atrocious to fathom. Franchesca, stop the hypocrisy. It is obvious that Antiguans think that Gaston Browne is more of a threat to them than Bowen. By the way, since you know so much. WHO KILLED NIGEL CHRISTIAN? See if you can get someone to match the money you received for writing that story to write about the murder of this young man. Gaston is very embarrassed that he almost lost the election to 6 votes. He still can’t sleep at night.
OBVIOUSLY YOU MINIONS HATE THE PEOPLE OF ST PHILLIPS FOR EXERCISING THEIR RIGHTS.
HOW DARE DEM VOTE FOR HIM?
YOU STUPID IMBECILES.
MURDERER!!!
BLOOD IS ON YOUR SHOULDERS
Kill I today you cannot kill I tomorrow
Murder
Your insides must be hollow
How does it feel to take the life of another
MURDERER!!!
Blood is on your shoulders
Kill I today you cannot kill I tomorrow
Murder
Your insides must be hollow
HOW DOES IT FEEL TO TAKE THE LIFE OF ANOTHER
Yes, you can hide from man but not your conscience
You eat the bread of sorrow drink the wine of violence
Allow yourself to be conquered by the serpent
Why did you disobey the first commandment
Walk through the valley I feel no pestilence
God is my witness and he is my evidence
Lift up mine eyes from whence cometh help
YOU COULDA NEVER ESCAPE THIS JUDGEMENT
@Big Tune January 31, 2023 At 5:51 pm
Well, it seems like he doesn’t feel anyway. And neither do the people of St. Philip South care about the heinous crime he has committed.
Comments are closed.