Kendall Butler, went to Cutlass Bay before the fire engulfed the rooms adjacent to the clubhouse. He went into mine and Robby's room and retrieved a few items, which included my purse and some of Robby's clothes. Other Cat Islander's were also there. We were informed that the computer was saved.
Robby, Stacy and I were already in Nassau before I was aware that the computer had been saved. I informed Robby we need to get the computer, it has all the information. I was assuming at the time it would be evidence. I had no doubt in my mind that Ezra Russell and Curtis Bannister were responsible. Robby called a friend, Ronnie, an American, on the island, asking if he would get the computer and send it to Nassau.
Ronnie called back the computer was missing, stories included that the computer fell off the truck, or no one knew where it was. Of course there are good people on Cat Island and Ronnie received information that Carlton Zonicle, the son of Port Howe Justice of the Peace, Charlie Zonicle, had the computer. Carlton wanted $300.00 for the computer. The Cat Island Police were aware of the missing computer and Carlton's involvement. Ronnie paid the $300.00 and sent the computer to Nassau.
Robby was furious that he had to buy his computer back. He spoke with Sergeant Mortimer. Sergeant Mortimer was in agreement with Robby that Carlton should be charged with theft. Ronnie did not want to cause any waves. We both understood, we had just been victims of the criminal element in Cat Island. We didn't want to put anyone's life or property in jeopardy.
Copies of the letters retrieved from the computer were given to the prosecutor before the preliminary arson and attempted murder hearing, he was not interested. Many originals could have been retrieved from the U. S. Embassy, DEA, Office of the Prime Minister, Royal Bahamas Police Force, and other U. S. and Bahamian Government offices. He also spent no more than 30 minutes total with Robby, Stacy and I before the hearing. He indicated that the police had enough evidence. Since Ezra Russell, Julian Robinson, and Sidney Bethel were arrested within three days of the arson and assault. We had every reason believed that to be true. It was not. Julian Robinson and Sidney Bethel recanted their confession. Ezra Russell and Julian Robinson ended up with the same Dream Team Lawyers.
Even though the ransomed computer information was not used by the prosecution it has been invaluable in producing this website and in the writing of Sand Money. $300.00 was a cheap price to pay retrieve these documents. When I turned on the computer when I arrived back in Tampa, it didn't work. Stacy took it to a friend of hers, who was able to copy all the documents off the hard drive. Even though the computer was history, the documents survived. Many of these documents along with others that I sent to the U. S. because of the continuing problems in 1999 will be included in this website and Sand Money.