After 20 Years, Trial Begins for Ex-UM Player Rashaun Jones in 2006 Murder of Teammate Bryan Pata

[TRIGGER WARNING] Pierre Damas Bel came to the United States to go to school. On Monday morning, the 20-year-old Haitian TPS holder was pronounced dead on Interstate 70 after he was struck by a semi-truck near South Vienna. The Ohio State Highway Patrol’s Springfield Post said troopers were called at 8:45 a.m. to the 66 mile marker of westbound I-70, near Ohio 54. Bel was pronounced dead at the scene. The crash remains under investigation. Bel was a recent graduate of Springfield High School, class of 2026. During his senior year he played soccer for the Wildcats as a forward and midfielder. After graduation, he was looking ahead to college sports. On July 30, Bel wrote on Instagram that immigration authorities had placed a GPS monitor on his leg, and that the device had stripped him of the future he thought he was building. “I came to this country to pursue my education. I didn’t come here to commit a crime or hurt anyone,” he wrote. “Yet now I’m walking through the streets of the United States with a GPS monitor on my leg, carrying a feeling of shame and humiliation that I never imagined I would experience.” His father, Pierre Ronal Bel, told L’Union Suite in an interview Monday that the monitor went on his son’s left leg only a few weeks ago and that Pierre Damas was traumatized & depressed. The last conversation between father and son was at 8:03 a.m. Monday, 42 minutes before troopers were called to I-70. Pierre Ronal said his son was sitting in a car and told him he was struggling. The father told him to come home so they could talk, sit together, eat, and work through it. Minutes later the phone cut off. He kept calling. He could not reach his son. Pierre Ronal said police told him today his son’s death was intentional but he’s having a hard time processing it all. L’Union Suite has not independently confirmed the official manner of death. The Ohio State Highway Patrol investigation is ongoing, & the truck driver has not been publicly identified. What is not in dispute is the pressure Pierre Damas Bel was under. Rest In Peace Pierre. We extend our deepest condolences to Pierre Ronal & the Bel family. 💔🕊️#lunionsuite

From White Rice To Mangoes! 😩🥭⁠ ⁠ Panorama Produce of Mamaroneck, New York, is recalling 302 boxes of Martina-brand mangoes sold at select Walmart stores after U.S. Food and Drug Administration sampling detected Salmonella on fruit grown on the same farm in Mexico.⁠ ⁠ The mangoes that tested positive never entered U.S. commerce. The company issued the voluntary recall because the fruit that reached stores came from that same source. The recall was announced August 28 and posted by the FDA on August 29. No illnesses have been reported in connection with the product, and the recall has not been expanded.⁠ ⁠ The recalled mangoes were distributed and sold between August 10 and August 21, 2026, in four Northeastern states: Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. They were sold only at select Walmart locations in those states. Shoppers who bought mangoes at Walmart in those four states during that window should check their kitchens now. Fruit purchased in mid-August may still be sitting on a counter or in a refrigerator.⁠ ⁠ The fruit shipped in Martina-branded cases. Individual mangoes can be identified by a light blue sticker labeled Agrofepac, Produce of Mexico, PLU number 4584, and UPC 07503061948050. The mangoes are size 9.⁠ If the identifiers match, do not eat the mangoes. Throw them away or return them to the store where they were purchased. Wash hands, cutting boards, knives, and any surfaces that came into contact with the fruit.⁠ ⁠ Salmonella can cause fever, diarrhea that may be bloody, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. Healthy people usually recover. Young children, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems face a higher risk of serious or life-threatening infection. In rare cases the bacteria can enter the bloodstream and cause arterial infections, endocarditis, or arthritis. ⁠ ⁠ Symptoms typically begin six hours to six days after exposure. Anyone who ate the fruit and feels ill should contact a healthcare provider.⁠ ⁠ #lunionsuite #haitianamerican

We Love To See It!! 😍💍 Haitian-American entrepreneur @NeekBey and his wife, former Black Ink Crew: Chicago star @CharmaineBey, marked a decade together and seven years of marriage with an intimate vow renewal at Ubuntu Kreative Village in Kenya, the country they now call home. The couple have been longtime supporters of L’Union Suite, and L’Union Suite has followed their journey since day one. Neek, a Howard University alum, first connected with Charmaine years after they met on campus. They began dating in July 2016. About three years later, the couple eloped in a courthouse ceremony on their own terms. Over the following years they welcomed two daughters, Nola and Charli. Charmaine, who is from the New Orleans area, lost both of her parents during her pregnancies, her mother while expecting Nola and her father while carrying Charli. The couple has said those losses tested and ultimately strengthened their partnership. In mid-July 2026 the family relocated from Los Angeles to Kenya, arriving at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport with 13 suitcases. What began as an anniversary trip became a permanent move after they researched several African countries and chose Kenya for its hospitality, culture, family-oriented pace, and opportunities. They have described Nairobi as feeling like “the New York City of Africa.” The vow renewal took place at Ubuntu Kreative Village, an eco-lodge and farm retreat near Nairobi. They exchanged handwritten vows in front of their daughters, family, and close friends. Neek said the setting felt natural and peaceful, matching the tone of their relationship. Charmaine called the ceremony a celebration of everything they had built while stepping into a new chapter. Both are entrepreneurs. They run Bey Moss and Love Loc Bey and have developed television projects together. They have said they plan to explore business opportunities in Kenya without rushing, focusing first on learning the country and adding value. “Through all of it, we never lost the love,” Neek told Essence. After more than 3,650 days together, they describe love as a choice they continue to make. 📸 @Essence #lunionsuite #haitianamerican

Facing mounting security threats and rumors of a possible gang incursion, the municipal administration of Léogâne announced Saturday, August 29, a package of measures meant to tighten control of the commune and protect residents. The Town Hall framed the steps as prevention: stronger territorial control, clearer identification of who is moving through the city, and a public hotline so residents can report threats without delay.⁠ ⁠ Night circulation is suspended. Vehicle traffic is halted from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. Residents who must move through the streets are asked to carry identification at all times.⁠ ⁠ Drivers face new restrictions. Motorists and motorcycle operators may not travel with their faces hidden by a balaclava or behind tinted helmets. Owners of cars and motorcycles must obtain authorization from Town Hall before allowing anyone else to drive their vehicle.⁠ ⁠ Housing and visitors must be declared. All house-rental agreements are to be registered with municipal services. Residents are also asked to notify Town Hall when they host someone in their home, whether for a short stay or a longer one.⁠ ⁠ - From 10 p.m., Vodou ceremonies, religious services, wakes, and night Masses are to end.⁠ - Clubs, restaurants, bars, hotels, and other entertainment venues must close at that hour.⁠ - Children living in the streets are to be placed under observation in a dedicated space for a period set by competent authorities.⁠ - Anyone who shelters wanted persons or people involved in criminal acts may face intervention by security forces under applicable law.⁠ ⁠ Town Hall urged residents to work with municipal authorities and to report anything suspicious. The emergency number is 32 32 32 94, available by WhatsApp, direct call, or SMS.⁠ ⁠ Léogâne sits about 30 kilometers west of Port-au-Prince. The new rules come days after the deadly August 23–24 attack on Kenscoff, which underscored how quickly violence can jump from one hillside or coastal commune to the next.⁠ ⁠ #lunionsuite #haitianamerican

A federal court has struck down a State Department policy that paused immigrant visa issuance for Haitians and nationals of 74 other countries. The pause is no longer in effect as of August 21, 2026.⁠ ⁠ That ruling does not lift the separate presidential travel ban that still fully restricts Haitian nationals.⁠ ⁠ U.S. District Judge Jeannette A. Vargas ruled that the January 2026 “public charge” pause, a State Department instruction to refuse immigrant visas based on nationality, exceeded the Secretary of State’s authority. The Department of State has confirmed the policy ended on August 21. Consular officers can no longer deny an immigrant visa solely because Haiti was on that 75-country list. Applications must be judged under ordinary immigration law. Visas already issued were not revoked.⁠ ⁠ Haiti remains on the full-restriction list under Presidential Proclamation 10998, which took effect January 1, 2026 and covers 39 countries. Under that proclamation, Haitian nationals are generally barred from immigrant visas and from most nonimmigrant visas. Limited exceptions exist, including lawful permanent residents already in the United States and rare case-by-case waivers. Immediate-relative and adoption exceptions that existed under the prior 2025 proclamation were removed.⁠ ⁠ The August 21 ruling therefore removes one nationality-based barrier. It does not guarantee a visa, restore Temporary Protected Status, or override the presidential entry ban still in force against Haitian nationals.⁠ ⁠ Applicants should treat each case as subject to both remaining statutory grounds of ineligibility and Proclamation 10998 unless they clearly fall under an exception.⁠ ⁠ #lunionsuite #haitianamerican #haitian

Lionel Messi announced Monday that he is retiring from the Argentina national team, ending a 21-year international career that produced a World Cup title in 2022 and closed with a runner-up finish this summer. The 39-year-old posted the decision on Instagram, calling it a choice that “hurt, and still hurts, deep in my soul.” “I love, have loved, and will always love being part of the national team,” Messi wrote. “I’ve given everything I had. I have nothing left to give, and besides, there are some great young players coming up who deserve to be here.” His last match for La Albiceleste was the July 19 World Cup final at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Spain beat Argentina 1–0 in extra time on a 106th-minute goal by Ferran Torres. Messi said he wrote the retirement letter on July 21, two days after the final, and waited to publish it. The death of his father, Jorge Messi, on August 8 confirmed the decision. “Today, after what happened with my dad, I’m even more convinced than before.” He leaves as Argentina’s most-capped player and all-time leading scorer, with 207 appearances and 125 goals. He played in six World Cups, reached three finals, won Copa América in 2021 and 2024, and captained Argentina to the 2022 Finalissima. He first stepped away from the national team in 2016 before returning. Messi will continue playing for Inter Miami. “Thank you for all the love over these 20 years,” he wrote. “I’m going to miss hearing you all from the inside so much. Now I’ll be just one of you, cheering and supporting from the outside.” The announcement comes weeks after FIFA sanctioned several Argentina players and staff for the post-match clash that followed the final. Leandro Paredes received a 10-match international ban and a $90,000 fine. Defender Nahuel Molina was banned for seven matches. Thiago Almada received one match. Assistant coach Roberto Ayala was suspended for three. FIFA also fined the Argentine Football Association about $321,000 and ordered capacity limits at upcoming home games after additional incidents during the tournament, including a political banner after the semifinal win over England. #lunionsuite #haitianamerican

Former Haitian President Michel Joseph Martelly registered as a voter on Sunday, August 30, at the Lycée national de Pétion-Ville, one of the voter registration and polling centers opened by the Provisional Electoral Council (CEP) in the West department. A senior member of the DEBLOKE political grouping, contacted by phone, said the former head of state’s registration signals his support for restoring the functioning of democratic institutions across the country. DEBLOKE is the political structure associated with Martelly. The CEP launched voter registration in Pétion-Ville, Delmas, and Tabarre on July 30. Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé registered at the same Pétion-Ville lycée on August 4 and called on citizens holding a valid national identification card to do the same. The first round of general elections is currently scheduled for December 13, 2026. Martelly returned to Haiti on July 15 after living in the United States. Registering as a voter is a civic requirement to participate in the vote and does not constitute a candidacy. No presidential bid has been announced. Candidate filing deadlines remain later in the calendar. Voter registration nationwide has been slow, and insecurity continues to limit operations in many communes. Martelly’s appearance at the center adds another high-profile name to the roll as political actors weigh whether and how they will engage the process. #lunionsuite #haitianamerican

Community leader Luckson Jean, known as Frè Luckson of Fondation Frè Luckson Zòn Pa Fè Moun, entered Kenscoff on Friday, August 28, and helped bring home several people kidnapped during last week’s deadly gang assault.⁠ ⁠ In a video widely shared on social media, Frè Luckson is seen welcoming the freed captives. He is holding a crying child in his arms as others follow him. Armed men are visible nearby. Haitian internet users praised his decision to go into the area and accompany those who had just been released.⁠ ⁠ Among those freed were six children and seven women. UNICEF said the children include three under the age of two, a 7-year-old, and two adolescent girls. The UN agency stated that it contributed, alongside community leaders, to the efforts that facilitated their release after several days in captivity. Local reporting also noted that gang members told negotiators they would trust only Frè Luckson to retrieve the children.⁠ ⁠ The attack took place the night of August 23. Armed groups killed at least 47 people and kidnapped more than 50 others in the hillside community above Port-au-Prince. Some residents were executed after being forced from a church where they had sought shelter. More than 2,600 people were displaced, and homes were burned. A gang leader identifying himself as Izo 2 later threatened to kill remaining hostages if police operations harmed gang members.⁠ ⁠ UNICEF called the release “a rare moment of hope amid the violence threatening children in Haiti,” while warning that the Kenscoff abduction was not an isolated incident. The agency is urging all armed actors to immediately release any children still being held and stop attacks on children. The fate of the remaining kidnapped residents is still unknown.⁠ ⁠ #lunionsuite #haitianamerican #haitian

After more than a decade together, Jamaican sprint legend Usain Bolt marked his 40th birthday by proposing to Kasi Bennett, the mother of their three children. The couple began dating in 2013 and have built a family over 13 years. On Friday, August 21, 2026, the eight-time Olympic gold medalist dropped to one knee during a private celebration at One Belmont in Kingston.⁠ ⁠ @Kasi.b , who had helped plan the party, had no idea what was coming. A close friend later posted that they spent “sleepless nights planning UB’s 40th with Kasi… little did she know we were also secretly planning the surprise of a lifetime.”⁠ ⁠ @Usainbolt, wearing a checkered suit and holding a microphone, proposed in front of family and friends. Bennett was visibly stunned. After she said yes, the couple shared an emotional embrace as Bruno Mars’ “Marry You” played. She later showed off a reported 5-carat diamond engagement ring.⁠ ⁠ They went public around the 2016 Rio Olympics. They have three children: daughter Olympia Lightning Bolt (born May 2020) and twin sons Thunder Bolt and Saint Leo Bolt (born June 2021). Bennett, born July 7, 1990 in Old Harbour, Jamaica, is an entrepreneur, law and business graduate, managing director of Elevate Marketing House, and founder of the children’s nonprofit Project Kase.⁠ ⁠ Bolt has long spoken about wanting a lasting partnership modeled on his parents’ marriage. After 13 years together, three children, and a life built away from the track, the Kingston proposal put an official seal on that chapter. Jamaica’s fastest man just added another title: fiancé. ⁠ ⁠ Congrats to Usain and Kasi.⁠ ⁠ Photo Credit: @keepyourimage⁠ #lunionsuite #haitianamerican

Haitian flags were on the route Saturday as the city held its 53rd annual Caribbean Carnival, the traditional late-August parade of masquerade bands, sound trucks, and crowds from Roxbury down Blue Hill Avenue into Franklin Park. 🇭🇹🇭🇹⁠ ⁠ The day opened with J’ouvert, and the main procession stepped off at 1 p.m. from Martin Luther King Boulevard and Warren Street. A Haitian truck was organized by Smoov Network for Saturday, August 29, with calls for people to bring their flags and represent. CACAB, which has run the carnival since 1973, lists Haiti among the Caribbean nations the festival honors, alongside Trinidad, Jamaica, Barbados, and others. A Ghana mas group and a Dominican Republic contingent were also highlighted this year.⁠ ⁠ Boston Parks Commissioner Diana Fernandez-Bibeau described the scene as different cultures coming together, “whether you’re Jamaican or from Haiti.” City Council President Ruthzee Louijeune, who is Haitian-American, joined Mayor Michelle Wu and other officials at the ribbon cutting.⁠ ⁠ Boston is home to one of the largest Haitian communities in the United States, so that Haitian presence along the route is expected.⁠ ⁠ After the festival, Boston Police reported at least 19 arrests, including firearm-related cases. Those reports did not assign the arrests to any one nationality. Saturday was carnival as Boston does it: costumes, trucks, soca, steel pan, raboday, and island flags sharing one route. 🇭🇹🇯🇲🇹🇹🇧🇧⁠ ⁠ 🎥 Source: @Smoovnetwork⁠ TikTok Credits: trueebonymell | vaudouhaitiene | buzzkreyol19 | nmjb__⁠ #lunionsuite #haitianamerican #haitian #caribbean

Welcome Back Isidor!!⁠ ⁠ Wilson Isidor scored the only goal of the match as Sunderland beat Fulham 1-0 on Sunday and collected their first Premier League win of the season.⁠ ⁠ The game was scoreless at half-time. Sunderland started Brian Brobbey up front, with Isidor on the bench. Just after the hour, Régis Le Bris turned to his substitutes. Habib Diarra and Isidor both entered around the 65th minute.⁠ ⁠ The breakthrough nearly came in the 71st. Granit Xhaka found Enzo Le Fée, who cut the ball across for Isidor. From close range, the Haiti international struck the post.⁠ ⁠ Four minutes later, he scored. Nordi Mukiele released Diarra down the right. Diarra drove a low cross into the box. Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno rushed out and missed it. Isidor got there first and finished into the empty net in the 75th minute.⁠ ⁠ Sunderland saw out the remaining minutes to win 1-0. Fulham did not register a shot on target. The result gave the Black Cats their first three points of the 2026/27 Premier League season in front of nearly 47,000 at the Stadium of Light.⁠ ⁠ The goal arrived days after Isidor signed a new contract with Sunderland through 2030.⁠ ⁠ Sunderland next play Brentford away.⁠ ⁠ #lunionsuite #haitianamerican #haitian

Jay Dabelus landed in Haiti on Thursday, Aug. 27, on the second U.S. deportation flight in a week, a country he says he has never lived in and barely knows. “I just arrived in Haiti. I don’t know much about Haiti. Actually, I don’t know anything about Haiti,” he said in English after stepping off the ICE Air charter. “I wasn’t born here. I was born in Bahamas, and I’ve been living in the USA for twenty, about twenty-something years.” Dabelus, a professional boxer who lived in Lauderhill, Florida, was among 57 people returned on flight GXA6196, which left Opa-locka Executive Airport at 10:04 a.m. and landed in Cap-Haïtien shortly after 11:30 a.m. The Miami Herald reported he had been in the deportation process for three months and was originally covered by Temporary Protected Status. After the Supreme Court allowed the Trump administration to end Haiti’s TPS designation, that protection lapsed. U.S. officials listed him as Haitian even though he was born in The Bahamas. Children born there to non-Bahamian parents are not automatically Bahamian citizens and usually take a parent’s nationality, so ICE sent him to Haiti, the country that would accept him, not to The Bahamas. No public report has named a criminal conviction as the reason for this flight. He was sent to Haiti two days before his 26th birthday. Boxing databases list his date of birth as Aug. 29, 2000. He said he arrived in Florida at age 6, earned his high school diploma there, and that “everything that I have and have received in life is from Florida, from the United States.” He described himself as a former top amateur, No. 1 in Florida and No. 9 in the U.S., who turned professional about eight years ago. Public fight records list a 3-2 professional record as a southpaw cruiserweight out of Lauderhill, with bouts in Orlando, Plant City, and Miami between 2022 and 2025. “It is nice here, but I’m trying to move on,” he said. “I don’t have any resources, family members, or people that aid me" . Dabelus’s case is not unique: U.S. authorities remove people to a nationality on paper even when they were born and raised elsewhere. ⁠ 🎥 CTGN America⁠ #lunionsuite #haitianamerican