By-Carlisle Jno Baptiste
ROSEAU, DOMINICA-High court Judge Colin Williams has opened bail for double murder accused Jonathan Lehrer.
In December 2023 last year, murder charges were filed against Lehrer, 57, and 62-year-old Robert Snyder Jr., over the deaths of animation pioneer and Quebec philanthropist Daniel Langlois and his partner Dominique Marchand.
The prosecution alleges that between November 29 and December 2, 2023, the two Americans murdered Langlois and his partner Marchand. Their bodies were found incinerated in a car near Gallion, in the south of the island where they owned a hotel. Langlois and Marchand had been reported missing for several days.
Early this year Lehrer through his lawyers had applied for bail on “medical grounds” to travel to the United States of America but that was denied.
Justice Williams gave bail of $EC 1 Million (US2.7169) equivalent to US368,066.56 with a proper and suitable surety. He must revoke his US Citizenship before he can be released on bail.
Before he is released, he MUST satisfy the registrar of the High Court that he has met all the conditions set out by the court. His surety must have “total control over him” and he must first secure the approval of a high court Judge before he travels. He is also to report to the Grand Bay Police Station as part of his bail conditions.
The State opposed bail because he is “a flight risk, the seriousness of the matter and the public’s interest in the matter.”
Corally Bellot Norde is a community activist from the Soufriere community and in tears, she spoke about the pain and hurt that the double murder has had on the community and the bail of Jonathan
“I am not pleased about him being granted bail and the entire community is also not pleased. Jonathan should never be granted bail…we have to stand up and our community will stand up. One voice is better than none, this is not right for our country, Dominica is the healing destination,” she said.
“The whole world is watching us, I am ashamed about it because Dominica is being promoted as a tourism destination. What happened today makes me feel sad and bad, how can you grant bail to a criminal, this is painful for us in Soufriere and I hope God is hearing us, we are hurting,” Bellot Norde stated.
Defense lawyers Lennox Lawrence and Wayne Norde refused to comment on the matter.
Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Sherma Dalrymple also stated that the matter will be at the High Court for trial on December 10, 2024.
Double murder accused Jonathan Lehrer being taken back to jail