By-Carlisle Jno Baptiste
ROSEAU, DOMINICA-The State has applied for a “revocation of bail” for double murder accused Jonathan Lehrer after Justice Colin Williams who had previously denied him bail decided to grant him bail of EC$1 million (US2.7169) with a proper and suitable surety.
But, the State opposed the bail application stating among other things that he “was a flight risk and that it was not in the interest of the public to grant him bail.”
In December 2023, murder charges were filed against Lehrer, 57, and his co-accused 62-year-old Robert Snyder Jr., over the deaths of Quebec philanthropist Daniel Langlois and his partner Dominique Marchand.
The revocation matter was heard at the High Court in Roseau before Justice Colin Williams on December 11, 2024.
Thomas Astaphan KC who is leading the States case in the matter stated, “We made this application before His Lordship for the revocation of bail granted to Mr. Lehrer on November 26, 2024, and His Lordship has reserved his decision for consideration and we await his decision.”
Questioned by the media about his decision to go back to court just one week after Lehrer was granted bail Astaphan replied, “I don’t know if I am comfortable as yet to disclose such, but I can say, that it is my opinion that the information that we have, is sufficient and grave in nature to ground the application and we acted upon it, I don’t want to give any further details at this stage.”
Police escort Lehrer back to jail-photo by Carlisle Jno Baptiste of Nature Isle News (NIN) on December 10, 2024
As part of his bail conditions, Lehrer must “revoke his US Citizenship.”
To be released he is required to meet all the conditions set by the high court and his surety must have ‘total control over him;’ before traveling he has first to secure the approval of the high court. Lehrer is also to report to the Grand Bay police Station weekly.
On December 10, 2024, Lehrer and his double murder co-accused Robert Snyder Jr appeared before Chief Magistrate Candia Carette-George where the prosecution completed “the paper committal trial bundle which was delivered to the court and defense them.”
It means that the prosecution has effectively closed its preliminary case on both men and it’s the defense’s turn to examine the evidence provided before it goes to the High Court before a Judge and jury for trial. The matter has been adjourned to February 10, 2025.
Langlois was a well-known Quebec businessman and the founder of Softimage, a digital effects program used on many blockbuster films including Jurassic Park, The Matrix, and Harry Potter. He owned an eco-resort in Dominica and lived there with his wife.