By Carlisle Jno Baptiste
ROSEAU, DOMINICA-Dominica’s Minister of National Security Rayburn Blackmoore has taken strong issue with the decision of High Court Judge Colin Williams to grant bail to Jonathan Lehrer.
In December 2023 last year, murder charges were filed against Lehrer, 57, and his co-accused 62-year-old Robert Snyder Jr., over the deaths of Langlois and Marchand.
Justice Williams granted bail of EC$1 million with a proper and suitable surety and as part of his bail conditions, Lehrer must “revoke his US Citizenship” before he is released.
He is also required to meet all the conditions set by the high court and his surety must have ‘total control over him;’ before traveling he has to first secure the approval of the high court.
Minister of National Security Blackmoore in commenting on the decision of the Judge had this to say, “Let me begin by making it fundamentally clear that the State takes this bail application for Jonathan Lehrer one of the accused of the double murder of Quebec philanthropist Daniel Langlois and his partner Dominique Marchand very seriously and is opposed to the granting of bail.”
“While I fully appreciate the independence of the court and embrace the principle that within our society one is presumed innocent until proven guilty, however, there is consensus within society that certain crimes because of the brutality involved are very serious and therefore must be dealt with most seriously by the court.”
“The public interest, therefore, is a transcending issue and must be seen to be preserved and protected by the court at all times. One of the things that this government has done over the years is to enact a Bail Act to seek to bring clarity as to how and when bail should be granted by the court and instances where bail should not be granted,” Blackmoore stated.
“Like the seriousness of the crime, if the accused person is a flight risk and then the public’s interest. The State from the onset, has taken this case very seriously. The police were quick and professional in their response and that has been manifested throughout the investigations.”
“The State has retained the services of one of the best Senior Counsels (Thomas Astaphan KC) in the area of criminal law from the region to assist in the prosecution of the matter and will continue to provide all the necessary resources to see that the matter is properly prosecuted and justice must not only be seen to be done but will be done,” Blackmoore concluded.
Are our journalist in Dominica just repeaters. Everyone of them have been quick to reference “bail conditions”. Sadly not one has told us what those conditions are except the one million dollars.
For the surety: I hope whe he doesn’t appear for court the villages find you and teach you how to deal with soukouyan. Lots of kerosene and matches are available everywhere in Dominica.
I hope the judge checked the surety’s financial background. Look back and see what the person’s banking record looks like.
Blackmore: i am told that you have a law degree. If you do i hope the judge takes you in for contempt of court. As an officer of the court you ought to know where criticisms begin and end.
The people of Soufriere: plenty of talk on radio and no action will never yield results. How many of you were at the court to she the judge that you are opposed to bail? Unity is strength.
JUSTICE Williams: Sir it is foolish of anyone else to ask a millionaire to show a million dollars. Further the .an is an American million aire. To ask a murder accused who is American to provide pocket change as a bail condotions is really .akejng mockery of the system. One million east Caribbean dollars is less than half a million United States dollars. The accused must be laughing. Don’t let your compassionate heart be taken as being silly. You know that a multi millionaire can spend a.mlion eastern Caribbean dollars during his lunch break. I hope when a local shows up for bail you will be just as compassionate.
Well said Mr. Justice Minister, the significance of public interest in this matter should have override all considerations with respect to bail.