Statement by

Premier of the Virgin Islands

Honourable Dr. Natalio D. Wheatley

Statement on the Passing of Mr. Jamal S. Smith

On behalf of the Government and people of the Virgin Islands, I wish to join with the entire community in extending condolences to the family and loved ones of the late Mr. Jamal S. Smith, Esq on his untimely passing, especially his father Roy Smith, siblings Jarel, Sarai, Rokeem, Romoy and Kayasha Smith. 

In Mr. Smith, the Virgin Islands has lost a very talented and valuable member of our community. Mr. Smith and the law firm which he founded, Thornton Smith, are highly respected in the fields of corporate law and intellectual property rights.  Mr. Smith’s firm was a recognised symbol in the Sea Cows Bay Community, and he will be greatly missed.  He served the Virgin Islands in a number of public posts, such as Chairman of the Social Security and Labour Department Tribunals, as a member of the Board of Directors of the National Bank of Virgin Islands and a member of the Board of Governors of the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College (HLSCC). Mr. Smith’s service also included Chairman of the Board of Directors of the BVI Chamber of Commerce and Hotel Association. He was also a member of the Intellectual and Industrial Property Focus Group, contributing to the reform of the Territory’s intellectual property laws and recently served as a reviewer for governance reform in which he provided recommendations regarding statutory boards.

Mr. Smith was also well known as a commentator on social and political issues in the Territory. His voice and his views will certainly be missed in the conversations currently taking place on the revision of our Constitution and reform of government systems, processes and laws. He was a man of the community and also attended the Ebenezer Thomas Primary School, BVI High School and University of the West Indies.

I join in offering prayers for eternal rest for his soul and comfort for his loved ones.

Without speculating on the specific circumstances surrounding Mr. Smith’s passing, I also wish to take this opportunity, as Premier, to once again condemn violence and crime in all forms.  The Virgin Islands is a beautiful and peaceful place.  Let us all do our part to restore it to its original splendor.

I also wish to support the call from the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) for anyone who may have seen or heard anything relevant to this and any other crime in the Territory to come forward and assist the authorities. There are channels such as Crime Stoppers where information can be supplied anonymously and where the identity of the informant will remain secret and protected. As Premier of the Virgin Islands, I also wish to reiterate my Government’s full support to the law enforcement agencies in the exercise of their functions.

Once again, I extend condolences to the family, friends and loved ones of Mr. Smith. May he Rest in Eternal Peace.

I thank you.