Tibbetts may dodge manslaughter charge

(CNS): The crown asked for an adjournment in the case against Nicholas Tibbetts (24) Friday when the immigration officer appeared in Grand Court. The prosecutor asked for two weeks to “finalise the charges” against the man accused of killing Donnie Ray Connor in a hit and run in George Town last month, as he implied the manslaughter charge may be in question. Meanwhile, police have confirmed that no charges have been brought in connection with the death of Marcia Donaldson, who was run down while jogging in South Sound some 48 hours after Connor’s death.

Police pick up Donnie Ray Connor’s bike the day after he was killed, April 2015

Tibbetts, who was charged last week, has not yet made any formal admissions in court but the crown claims to have a substantial case against the Bodden Town man as a result of CCTV footage, wreckage found at the scene and a number of incriminating phone messages.

Tibbetts, who has no previous convictions, has been bailed by the courts on strict conditions, including an electronic tag, and is now due to appear in court again on 22 May to face the final indictment. He is charged at present with manslaughter as well as causing death by careless driving and leaving the scene of an accident but it appears that an admission of guilty may see the manslaughter charges dropped.

An unnamed man who was arrested at the scene of another fatal road collision two days after Connor’s death has not yet been charged. Marcia Donaldson was killed as she was jogging in South Sound at around 5am on Saturday. The car in that incident collided with a utility pole before striking Donaldson. The 25-year-old driver was admitted to hospital but he was also arrested on suspicion of DUI.

A police spokesperson said the driver remained on police bail and was due to attend the George Town Police Station at a later date.