With mere weeks to go before Julien Prevost relinquishes his position as interim Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Chief Magistrate, Evelina Baptiste has been identified to take up that post.
Prevost agreed to hold the position for three months as the former DPP, Gene Pestaina, has gone on pre-retirement leave before officially demitting office in a few weeks.
Well placed sources told DNO that Ms. Baptiste, a Dominican lawyer with a wealth of experience, is almost certain to replace Pestaina.
“She is the person and you can take it to the bank, just don’t quote me, but I have that information and is just a matter of dotting the various documents to make it official,” the source stated.
According to the source, Baptiste who in 2004/2005 acted in the post of DPP in Dominica is now tying up a few “bits and pieces” and will not “be starting any new matters on the Bench.”
“She won’t be starting up any new cases, to ensure that she is clear to take up the job in a few weeks time,” the source said.
The office of the attorney general was not prepared to speak on the matter and when contacted by DNO, Baptiste did not confirm or deny that she is the one to take up the job come July.
“Like you and my staff, I am hearing that but presently I am not in a position to speak on the matter,” she told DNO.
Earlier this year, three people were interviewed for the post but it was offered to a Guyanese national who did not accept the terms and conditions of the job.
The office of DPP is a Constitutional post enshrined in the Dominica constitution under section 88 which states that “The Director of Public Prosecutions shall be appointed by the President, acting in accordance with the advice of the Public Service Commission. If the office of Director of Public Prosecutions is vacant or if the holder of that office is for any reason unable to exercise the functions of his office, the President, acting in accordance with the advice of the Public Service Commission, may appoint a person to act as Director.”
The new chief magis will be Candia Carette George.
What has Dominica come to? Dominicans know that the process was flawed in the appointment of the present President. That is why, in addition, Dominicans are paying salaries of two presidents at the same time. Former President Liverpool is still receiving some kind of salary until his term really ends. Remember, he did not resign, but was unable to continue as President due to ill health? Remember the claim of “Doctrine of necessity” by the AG in that matter? Only in times of war such is evoked.
But it is that President illegally placed in that office, who appoints the DPP.
The same AG who told Dominicans about the appointment of the Grenadian Magistrate. The Magistrate who openly praised Skerritt? But has that Magistrate begin to work yet? Justice for whom?
Miss Baptiste, as Chief Magistrate of the Court, issued a warrant to arrest Lawyer Isidore. The arrest warrant was submitted to the then Chief of Police Carrette. Remember the excuses he made about being out of State and so arrest couldn’t be carried out?
Miss Baptiste was belittled. Up to now no arrest in the matter where lawyer Emmanuel filed 42 charges of fraud and other criminal acts against Isidore? The Court’s Order was discarded and disrespected. Up to now that case cannot even start. To add insult to injury, a judge of the Court, agreed to judicial review to Isidore and his legal team. Prevent any hearing of that case by all cost. Up till now no case. Not one of the 42 charges could be read yet to the culprit.
Miss Baptiste must exercise the same degree of courage, fearlessness in dealing with any illegal offences, irrespective of who commit the crime. We are watching. Let justice prevail. All should be equal before the Law.
my dear i which you all the best you will be victorious
Madam please don’t forget mr Emmanuel and his wife please do a good job have no favorites for no one truth is truth justice is justice God is Watching
DON’T YOU THINK
Miss Baptiste is great…As a past student of hers i think she will do good…
U see how we don’t reward people who get things done, Julien Prevost accomplished alot as DPP in his short tenure in office, and what do we do we remove him and place an ……… individual, so we like it in Dominica.
Prevost deserves a medal for doing what pestina could not do.
Admin: Julien Prevost indicated from the very beginning that he would occupy the position for three months until a permanent replacement for Gene Pestaina was found.
Dear Editor, earlier this year there was a news item stating that Baptiste was slated to take up a position on the bench somewhere up north Caribbean. Whatever became of this?
Admin: That story was not published by DNO and apparently nothing became of it.
Wha bout me?
Your Birth Paper and toilet paper is all you have.
great
HE KANA WIN A CASE is chief magistrate he can become ??????
After the OECS day-masay him for many mistakes as magistrate.
Congrats Miss Baptiste; trust me with all her brains and experience and integrity she will make a great DPP.
I am of the opinion that “Eva”..
…..nevermind…I am going to smoke a joint… 
Baptiste, The world is a dangerous place, not because of those who do evil, but because of those who look on and do nothing!
that’s right boys…continue to set up the scenario nicely for there to be more roro and allu to eventually come out there. Tell us who going to be Chief Magistrate. Put Tony..or Alick.
We Safe
congrads i hope you are a human and not a puppet,all the best x
As long as justice is dispense equally without prejudice I care less who’s appointed to the position. The people are crying for EQUAL RIGHTS AND JUSTICE.
As it is right now, our judicial system is a mockery, especially when the privileged lawyers continue to manipulate the process. Let’s hope that whoever is appointed will make the citizens proud of what I consider the corner stone of our democracy, the judiciary..
great choice, God’s grace Ms. Baptiste
1. Earlier this year, three people were interviewed …not three persons! Thank you.
2. Just a continuation of a hot mess of a judicial system. [sigh]
Eh behn! Persons are not people then?
“Julien Prevost relinquishes his position as Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP)”
Based on Prevost effectiveness, in getting one of the suspects in the Gong Emanuel matter to turn himself in to the police after suggesting if this alleged criminal did not volunteer his return to Dominica, from the United State a request would be made to the Attorney General of the United States, to have Seco extradited.
In less than a month, the Criminal returned, that is an indication Prevost in the short space of time he served as director of prosecutions, has proved himself suitable for the position.
Julien has done what someone before him has failed to do, and his actions must be the first in our nation history. Julien is one who should be ensured that position since he seems to refuse to allow the politics of the day to cloud his better judgment; he did the appropriate thing, by ensuring that seco, does not side step, and evade justice.
My concern at this time, with Provost out of the way, we may find someone come along and claim that there is not enough evidence to hold seco accountable in connection with the firebombing of Emanuel’s house, and let him go.
This in itself would be a tragedy!
I suggest Prevost should be appointed to the position “permanently.”
At least we learn from his actions the law takes precedence over his politics!
Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
@Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
May I suggest you to listen more and read more before jumping into issues. Prevost DOES NOT want to be DPP. He wants to remain in private practice. He only acted for 3 months to give the government time to find a permanent replacement. His words on the record.
It is sad that Prevost does not want the job though he is very well qualified for it. However, I have to admit that he has some BALLS (BIG NUTS) for going after Sico-Seco when everyone else was afraid. Now, I hope Evalina continue the process because after all our eyes are on her and Skerro has no “direct” jurisdiction over her. Gene was a coward and so I hope she don’t follow in his footsteps.
Let me tell you I know Provost from the time he was in high school, I know his mother, who once worked at the Princes Margaret Hospital, his late father was a police officer. I know his brother Jonathan Prevost a medical doctor, whom as colleagues we walked the streets of Roseau.
Jonathan grew up in the house of the late Wordsworth Telemaque, at 35A River Street, while his brother Julian and his other brothers were regular visitors to the home.
With that said I am here to tell you Julian would be a more successful DPP, than a successful lawyer in private practice.
The time he spent playing minister of government in Edison James government, if he spent half the time in the prosecutors office, perhaps he would have accomplished a lot more in life, at least he would have a regular monthly salary.
With the exception of Tony Astaphan, Dominica lawyers, and medical doctors in private practice, live of starvation salary, when a man have to accept land from someone as pay for representing them, that tell me they are not doing all that well.
I do not know who you are, but be informed, I listen as well as I hear!
And unless you are Julian undercover using some fictitious, who told you he does not want to be DPP?
Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
So Francisco you as an objective man is saying that Seco is Guilty until proven Innocent??
Were you a witness to the crime??
Are you so gullible that you will call a man CRIMINAL just because Q operatives say so?? I thought you had more knowledge than that some more objective veins than that but obviously you are just like those who velify people on behalf of Q Cabal!!!!!!!
My answer to you is who horridly carried Seco to the Melville Hall Airport?
Who took him to the Marigot Hospital for injuries sustained in a accident on his way to the Airport?
How do you know there isn’t medical record at the hospital and in the hands of the police confirming the treatment he obtained for such injuries?
How come shortly after arriving back into the United States, I here his sister took power of attorney over his business, which she eventually sold?
It is not a matter of if he is guilty, since the “torch”, the man who lit the incendiary devise, be it gasoline, or other has implicated him in the crime!
If Shillingford was not a career criminal he would long be believed, and all involved would already be incarcerated, Seco however, would be a fool to become the fall guy, and let the real master-mind behind the crime go free!
There are intriguing questions which cannot be ignored, and must be answered, therefore, I cannot entertain you by agreeing that in sco’s case he is innocent until proven guilty.
They say there is no honor among thieves, the same applies to arsonists, lawyers, and the person who engaged the services of Mr. Shillingford. Maybe if they had paid him what they originally offered him, he may have remained silent, and Emanuel and his wife would be dead.
Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque.
I really thaught that Francisco Telemaque had went underground or MIA, as I have not been seeing his comments in a long time. Nonetheless, welcome back
Another one that drink the cool aide. That`s why some of us will never be respected. Why? Why? after all that window dressing and that sham there are some that was blinded by that Pappy show. MR Pappy is out of a job. The more things do not change, the more some of us are quick to jump all over the place. Hope I am wrong” WE Go SEE.
well dear lady if this is true make us women proud by being impartial. may the Lord grant you the courage to be true to God self and country.
I wish to congratulate the Skerrit Labor Government for that decision. However, when she becomes the DPP, it will be interested to see what happens when the Esidor case gets to court,if it ever gets there.
Nothing to do with Govt. Don’t you read that this is a constitutional appointment made by the President? Mr. Skerrit is not the President(….yet!), nor is he the constitution.
Congratulate for what? After refuse wi, dat is. The person they wanted didn’t take the job and the other one,they not sure where he/she stands politically and time running out so they had no choice.
More Roh Roh!I hope Shefollow Tony’s instructions andact only in accordance / consultation with the AGEE! Ha Ha Ha!
Aha, does this mean that the P.M. has constitutionally no say in the matter?
Aslo, the question now arises: who will be the new Chief Magistrate?
i think it’s Tiyani’s time to get that post of Chief Magistrate
I wish to recommend Mr. Ossie lewis.