An inquiry which commenced on Monday to look at allegations of misconduct by Magistrate Tiyani Behanzin has been adjourned with no set date for the resumption of the case.
Behanzin has been at the center of controversy after Chief Magistrate Evelina Baptiste, along with other members of the judiciary filed a report to the Ministry of Legal Affairs accusing Behanzin of wrongdoings.
Retired Judge of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court Stanley Moore arrived in Dominica this week to conduct the inquiry, but according to Behanzin the matter was adjourned because of some unresolved issues.
“Monday I made some submissions to the judge. I requested that the proceedings be recorded and then I made a submission to the tribunal. The result of that submission was that the hearing was adjourned without a date until the issues are resolved. I don’t know how long it will take for these fundamental issues [to be] resolved,” he said.
According to Behanzin, the actual manner in which the allegations were presented are flawed and there is some structural problems they need to resolve before they can proceed.
“I have made a request that the proceeding should be made in public. I have been tried and convicted in the press and if that’s the case, I rather the proceeding be made public because I think they need to see what is transpiring,” he said.
Behanzin said it cannot be a quiet execution of him.
– DNO Correspondent
JUSTICE AT THE SPEED OF RIGHT!i have been in this man’s courtroom and i am telling you he should be in dominica 10 years ago.now is the time for dominicans to realize good things hardly come our way.now we have the best magistrate in the world,some woman have a problem with that?what vendetta does miss baptiste have against mr.behanzin?i just suspect the competition is too stiff for her.our lawyers will live another lifetime but WILL never step in the shoes of mr.behanzin.good luck to the man.
I have a matter before this man and if i get convicted i will still feel the same towards you.. Everytime a good magistrate is trying to clean up the place some one have to try and shut him down..
I know how it works, no crime means no money for the layers and land not selling as fast. If them real criminals are in jail then things slow down a bit.
Since before Behanzin came to Dominica people complaining about lawyers and magistrates and no one ever called for an inquiry…
I am in favor of the public trial.. show them you have nothing to hide my friend…. let them follow your lead.. and then investigate them
god bless you……
Well done sir, the hand of the Lord is over you, protecting you. I pray for you always because you are doing the right thing which is not always popular especially with those crooked members of the legal fraternity. They only see dollar signs, which allow them to live in houses behind tall brick walls and complex security systems.The ordinary Dominican cannot afford these so they deserve to live in a CRIME-FREE DOMINICA!
If there were more like you Sir, Dominica would be a better place to live. You have rocked their boat from bow to stern and they cannot take it, they see less and less money coming their way.
Sir, just let one of their own (wife, daughter, husband, son, mother) be savagely attacked by one of the thugs which they defend……they would demand the maximum punishment. Their day is coming, watch, you will see.
You are doing an excellent job Sir, you are restoring faith in the legal system case by case.
May God give them DOUBLE what they wish for you.
The Blood of the Lamb is over you, fear not!
Can you remember “bring back mano”. History does repeat itself. When crime begins to escalate and get out of hand they will sing the same tune but with different lyrics. Judges, magistrates and lawyers, please, please take a look at what’s happening in Trinidad. Is that what you want for Dominica, for it to be too late?
What are the lawyers afraid of? The criminals and petty criminals are like recurring decimals which means secured income for the practicing lawyers, or should I say a high turnover? If Mr Behanzin deals with them lightly in no time they will be back in front their lawyers (generating income for the lawyers) but when the criminals or petty criminals are dealt with harshly they will excercise restrain and the laywers will be on the losing end (decrease in revenue).
Short man syndrome…..napoleonic complex. Poor thing.
This brother actively engages in community service. Recently, he met with the youths of Vielle Case to discuss their roles as model citizens who should respect authority and stay out of trouble. So he does not focus solely on punishment, but on deterrence and awareness. But, I am not bothered if he is taken off the bench. I want to see him on a big stage as soon as possible. Brother, have a legal residence in Roseau Central, Salisbury or Marigot; if you know what I mean. There is work to be done. We need plan B if the PM is tied in a legal quagmire.
Patriots, please leave Minister Ian Douglas and the government out of this matter. As Minister for legal Affairs, he is directly responsible for implementing the decisions of the inquiry. We do not want the executive and legislative branches to interfere in iudicial matters.
Could any one of the judges or lawyers who oppose Behanzin state what crime he committed for being tried. According to what I have been reading since his returned to Dominica is that he has been doing an excellent job by sending the thugs to jail. He is surely doing the right thing. If all the judges and other lawyers were to follow his pattern, Dominica’s crime rate would be lowered. Stay strong and continue doing what you’re doing!!!
Tiyani, let those people that want to get rid of you know that Dominica is not their personal estate. All Dominicans have a right to this land, and the way some of them operating it seems criminals have more rights than the law abiding citizens of this land….I know you have the best interest of our people at heart, no matter what your detractors say….please continue to clean up our streets and let not your heart be troubled, we the masses are with you.
Its so encouraging to see that there are still many Dominicans who love Dominica.We have to take care of this man and try to protect him at all cost.To those who are trying to destroy him “your plans will fail”.
The support for you is wverwhelming Tiyani, and keep on flushing out crime and criminal elements amongst the Dominican population.
I recommend you to be the Chief Magistrate.
you have the full backing from the youths of the north too!
I don’t think these other magistrates knew who they were messing with. They thought you would take this lying down. Smoke them all Tiyani. I personally believe that you care more for the direction some of our young people are going by taking a firm stance against those who choose to get involved in any kind of criminal acts. If these other magistrates would join you we would have a much safer Dominica.
Mr. Tiyani,
I highly applaud you for you courage. You are really a man of substance and do not let people intimidate you. You seem to be a strong and determined young man who stand for what you believe to be right. The Douglas blood really runs through your veins. I agree that if they involved the public into trying and convicting you then the public should also hear the outcome too. Be strong Mr.Tiyani and don’t give in to these cowards.
How can one get in touch with such a brilliant man?? An email etc, he needs to be put on the international market.
the power to face adversity n overcome it leaves us stronger. Dont’ be feel overwhelmed persevere
Maybe he do not knock glass with them.do your job big man and let them talk.
You are doing a damn good job – bro!
Go forth and giveth the stiff sentences that deserves. No other does the job better than you – Tiyani
VERY STRONG SUPPORTER!! OUR PRAYERS ARE WITH U!!
Come ye forward, sons and daughters
Of this gem beyond compare.
Strive for honor, sons and daughters,
Do the right, be firm, be fair.
Toil with hearts and hands and voices.
Sentencing is based on the fundamental concepts of protection of the public, fairness, and deterring others from committing crime.
I do not want to see Dominica become a place like Jamaica and Trinidad. I have been to those places. People are prisoners in their own homes. People have bars on their windows.
The lame judges and defense lawyers are the ones stoking the fire of this inquisition.
Our criminal code sets out the maximum prison term for each offense. Why are the other judges and defense lawyers belly-aching about Mr. Behanzin’s application of the codes? It is Simple. The longer criminals are away, the less money in defense lawyers’ pockets; because statistics show that first offenders become repeated offenders. In other words, criminals going through the resolving door continues to line the pockets of defense lawyers.
THE FOLLOWING IS JUST MORE EVIDENCE WHY WE NEED MR. BEHANZIN:
THIS IS A DIRECT QUOTE FROM DEPUTY POLICE COMMISSIONER IN DECEMBER 2009:
“Limited manpower, an increased rate of murders, a lack of forensic science technology and inadequate resources are some of the difficulties the Commonwealth of Dominica Police Force had to contend with.”
In case no one has been paying attention, there has been an overall upsurge in crime on our beautiful island. In 2008, there were seven (7) murders reported. The number increased to 13 in 2009. Need I say more? These are only murders, my friends. I am not even getting into assault, burglary, robberies, rape, etc.
I am reposting the same comments, because my sentiments are the same.
Breathing fresh air into the lungs of a dying breed (the old status quo)can be a great discomfort. The old Dominican legal fraternity is shaken, and whatever Mr. Behanzin is doing is giving them indigestion. The misapplication of the fiduciary responsibilities of our judges, and their infringement on the integrity of our judicial systems is undesirable. Mr. Behanzin clearly understands that, and has the intestinal fortutude to deliver justice deservingly.
This is a classic case of a modern day witch hunt.
typo – meant: fortitude.
I support Tiyani 100%. Evalina Baptiste and the government should be before a judge for persecuting an upstanding man. He is doing a great job and Dominicans should rally behind him. It is amazing how Dominica works, the evil ones go unpunished and the good ones are persecuted. I think our Lawyers are encouraging crime.
My prayers are with you Mr. Behanzin
i think criminals should be fearful of the authority they answer to when caught.
in the past, i have seen a person caught with an illegal firearm fined EC500.00
worst i saw a magistrate charge a 33 year old man, 1500.00 for sexually molesting my 9 year old daughter. and i was told that justice was served.
forget my daughter, i had to go into counselling to deal with my wanting to kill this man.
i am thankful that there is a magistrate who criminals fear to sit on their cases.
Yes! Thats all I can say.
They can’t put a good man down!! We are behind your Mr. Behanzin! Keep up the good work! We only need 3 more like you – one for the EAST, one for the WEST and one for the SOUTH!
MR BEHANZIN….LET NO ONE CALL YOU A “GOD” LET NO ONE MARVEL AT UR “DIMPLES”….BUT LET THEM SHAKE AND TREMBLE WHEN YOU WALK BY BECAUSE THE ENORMOUS SHADOW WHICH MAKES YOU A GIANT AMONST ME IS THE LORD WALKING BEHIND YOU…..THEY HATE THAT..THEY DISLIKE GOOD…AND RELISH IN EVIL….LET YOUR FIRE BURN THEM FIVE TIMES OVER…AND BE KNOWN THAT (LAW ABIDING)DOMINICANS ARE FOR YOU AND WITH YOU ALL THE WAY….
USE THIER SAME MEDIUM WHICH THEY WANNA EXECUTE YOU WITH AND WASH THEM…SPIN THEM AND DRY THEM….LOOK AT THIS AS YOUR BIGGEST CASE EVER AS YOU ELIMINATE THE WOLVES FROM THE SHEEP…
YOU WILL ALLOW OUR EYES TO SEE THE CORRUPTION WHICH HOLDS DOMINICA TOGETHER….YOUR A GLADIATOR AND YOUR BATTLE IS AHEAD….YOU HAVE A MASSIVE FOLLOWING MR BEHANZIN…ONE WORD FROM YOU AND YOU WOULD BE SUPRISED AT THE CROWDS OFF SUPPORTERS YOU WILL SUMMON..
ONCE AGAIN….”IF GOD IS WITH YOU…WHO THE HELL ARE THEY TO BE AGAINST YOU”…BURN THEM!!!
mistake
gran ma said i am not punishing you because i hate you i am doing it because i love you….
i agree my boy cause u are doing your job perfect. if they keep on giving these people the esy way out or small fines or even little jail time for what they consider small crimes, little do they know that the small turns out big.. if they are punished properly then they would think twice of doingit again. like the other magistrates who let them get away what u think if u punish to hard them les crime and less job for u. if thats the case well u dont care of ur country. this magistrate cares for his people. i know one thing my gran ma use to say i am not punishing you because i dont live u i am doing because i love you and care now this is what the man is doing …… give him a break…….
i admire this young man e is so bright. got it from his daddy. power to u sir.
let them c that justice is not only for them
Dominica needed someone like this young man in our judicial system for a long time. These magistrates and lawyers esp. the prominent ones needed to be put in their places, time they stopped butting heads and stealing poor people’s money with their poor representation and advice that keeps you coming back to their offices over and over again, wasting money.
The police force also needed a shake up. It’s high time they started upholding the law in the right way. Stop stomping on peple’s rights and collect evidence and reports properly.
Thank god for Behanzin
I believe that one of the reasons that the police have not been doing their job to the best of their ability is because they have to put themselves on the line for public safety and when they bring the criminals to justice these criminals receive a slap on the wrist. With this magistrate’s judgements the police are more motivaed to do their jobs.
I do not know the gentleman personally, but judging from his stance, he is a very courageous man and he must be applauded. If we want to stem the crime and violence, we must support this man. Time to take back this land. FOLLOW anyone?
i FOLLOW you for sure. Reminds me of G.O.N.Emannuel who cleaned up the place real good. People hated him too. But Tiyani seems to be acting within the law. He may be doing something that is unorthodox – challenging his fellow lawyesr and magistrates – but if the instances presented in the news are true, like the time he revoked bail on the guy after the little girl testified that the man was still abusing her on bail, then Tiyani is on the right track. What good is the law if it facilitates a state of lawlessless?
In that case, the law and lawyers need to be challenged.
Hold fast if God is for you who can be against you. Whats goes around comes around. Remember when the rain falls it does not fall on one man`s house. Remember that!
I am a strong supporter. Keep up the good work. We need just one more like you and we’re good to go.
i love u man good men always face opposition from those that are opposit and its certain that u are doing a good job and so they want to see u down but u cant keep a good man down
Some dominicans really don’t know what is Good for them. Where is the prime minister and minter for tourism on this mattter. Leave tiyani in possie..he is finally cleaning the town…speak up Ian Speak Up!!!
people will u all just support the best magistrate who ever put feet on Dominica? He is the best amoung all the rest. Give him a break will u? Way to go! i am proud of u my dear Tiyani!
They have nothing on the young magistrate so they start to tie up themselves…Don’t bother yourself with the haters sir…concentrate on doing your job within the confines of the law.
Tiyani you have the full support of the youths of the south west. We are prepared to stand at your side. Keep the faith. Dont give up.