Fahie Appeal Delayed After Emergency
Former Premier Andrew Fahie has been granted a 14-day extension to file his appellate brief in the United States Court of Appeals after his attorney cited an unexpected family medical emergency. The unopposed motion pushes the initial brief to January 30 and the appendix to February 6, with US prosecutors raising no objection.
Former British Virgin Islands Premier Andrew Fahie has been given extra time to file his appeal in the United States Court of Appeals after his lawyer requested a short delay because of a family medical emergency. In an unopposed motion filed with the Eleventh Circuit, Fahie’s counsel, Benedict Kuehne, asked for a 14-day extension to submit the initial brief and appendix in the appeal stemming from proceedings in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida.
The court filing sets the new deadline for the initial brief at January 30 and for the appendix at February 6. The motion explains the reason for the request: Kuehne’s 98-year-old mother-in-law suffered a fall over the holiday period, broke her hip and required hospitalisation and subsequent hip replacement surgery.
Although the operation was successful, she remains in recovery and undergoing physical therapy. Kuehne and his spouse have served as primary caretakers during the holiday period, the filing says, limiting his availability to work on the appellate brief. Kuehne told the court that the unplanned caregiving duties created a backlog of legal work and that he is also managing several significant deadlines in other courts, including filings in the US Supreme Court and other appellate matters, as well as obligations in state and federal proceedings.
The motion states that further consultation with Fahie, who remains incarcerated, is necessary to complete the required research and drafting. The filing says the request was made in good faith, was not intended to cause delay and would not prejudice any party. Assistant US Attorney Jonathan Colan was consulted and raised no objection to the extension, according to the motion.
Fahie was convicted on drug and money-laundering charges in Miami and in August 2024 was sentenced to just over 11 years in prison. He has maintained his innocence throughout the trial and sentencing. The appeal will be heard by the Eleventh Circuit, which handles appeals from the Southern District of Florida among other jurisdictions.
For many residents of the BVI, the case remains a matter of public interest because Fahie served as the territory’s premier. The extension means the appellate timetable will shift slightly, and further filings and court dates will determine whether his conviction or sentence is modified.
Local observers and those following the case will be watching for the court's docket updates and any subsequent scheduling notices.
Primary source: BVI News