By Ronalda Luke
A 58-year-old man from the community of St. Joseph, Gibbs John, along with his two sons,
have been remanded into custody at the Dominica State Prison on a charge of Murder.
On April 17, 20-year-old Johniah Cooke of St. Joseph, who resides at Bellevue Chopin, and his 19-year-old brother Johnoah Cooke of St. Joseph appeared before Magistrate Michael Laudat, charged with the murder of 70-year-old Obed “QBall” Nicholas.
Earlier this week, on April 14, their father, Gibbs John, was the first to appear in court, charged with Nicholas’s Murder.
The complaint states that between April 8 and April 10, 2025, in St. Joseph, the three accused allegedly murdered the elderly man.
Police reports indicate that on April 10, 2025, the lifeless body of the 70-year-old was
discovered at his residence, bearing signs of having been severely beaten.
During their court appearance, the accused, represented by attorney Wayne Norde, were not required to enter a plea, as the matter is an indictable offence expected to be tried before the High Court.
After the charge was read, the magistrate informed the defendants that, due to the nature of the offence, bail could not be considered at the magistrate’s court under the Magistrate’s Code of Procedure. As a result, they were remanded into custody at the Dominica State Prison.
The matter was adjourned to August 12, 2025, for a Preliminary Inquiry to determine whether there is sufficient evidence to commit the case to the High Court for trial.