$800 for carrying cutlass in Roseau

A Marigot man was ordered to pay $800 or spend five months in prison for carrying a cutlass in Roseau.

Alley Jno Baptiste, 41, pleaded guilty to the charge of possession of an offensive weapon before Magistrate Evalina Baptiste at the Roseau Magistrate Court this morning.

According to the facts of the case, Baptiste was standing outside Whitchurch Supermarket dressed in military fatigues when police observed an object under his shirt.  They proceeded to search the suspect and found a black cutlass hanging from his waist.

“Garden I going in Concord,” the defendant told police when questioned.  Later at the Roseau Police Headquarters the suspect said, “I just come out and help my partner peel coconut.”

Before handing down the sentence, Magistrate Baptiste heard from the defendant who said, “I am very sorry deeply in my heart. I will not do it again.”

The defendant is known to authorities and has been charged in the past for wounding and malicious damage.

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51 Comments

  1. March 5, 2012

    What? what happen to de Day laborer defense? He from marigot,cutlass legal there. that make him an alien in roseau. also why he did’nt get a camouflage cutlass to match the outfit? those chinese problaly not selling that yet! poor cutlass. now the cutlass really have to work. a little sepaing there, some PLA CUTLA by there, peel some coconut by there. always the cutlass paying for it. He need to order a file, but online only!!

  2. Gopher wood
    May 28, 2011

    I wish people who use this forum to express their views on a certain topic would give reasoned, coherent and well thought out responses rather than the banal and illogical garbage they keep spewing out with no relevance or understanding of the issues at hand. For example, a man was found to be carrying an offensive weapon to wit a cutlass in Roseau. He changed his story twice. You do not need a Phd in common sense to know that he was lying.

    What should she have done? Give him a pat on the back, especially as he has a history of offending. She acted within the confines of her Magisterial position and the Law of the land by imposing a fine on that recidivist.

    Zar zor tae lail faire? Zor trop iniowant. Zor tae lail cheu mondes.

    I do not see any of you residing in USA or Uk carrying offensive weapons on your persons and allowing the law to apprehend all you. Papa bat

  3. GWATANCE
    May 12, 2011

    These weapons/devices should always be sheath in public. most scary when a person approaches with an unsheath cutlass.especially in a isolated/open area A stringent law must be in place for that purpose

  4. MALPARDEE
    May 10, 2011

    MR WAS GOING TO HARSHAE SOMEBODY…………….

  5. Freakie politics.
    May 10, 2011

    what is mac smoking? How silly! Are you NUTS? I know you are marigotian too but try fee keep up the rep of marigot as a level headed and educated population.

  6. Ask your self
    May 10, 2011

    yeah good job Dominica anf the Murders walk. this country is really sick. something mad is going to happen in this country you know.

    a man kill a 19 year old in a shop in pottersville for no f…cking reason and now he is on bail. :oops:

  7. Homeboy
    May 10, 2011

    Well Mr Farmer, I will not be too hard on you becaus farming is ” travailes très difficile”. No one is against you going by NASSIEF- note spelling , to buy a CUTLASS- note spelling. Because when your cutlass has been worn down ( becomes dull and filling can no longer sharpen it), then we the people of Dominica would hope you would buy a cutlass to continue to do your farming to support us. However if you brandish it in public I would advocate for you being dealt with according to the law. Ok Mr Farmer.

  8. t
    May 10, 2011

    Good joboficers

  9. Anonymous
    May 9, 2011

    This is ridiculouse. Was the man threatening anyone. is it illigal to won a cutlass and walk with a cutlass in Roseau/. i think the magistrate need to re-examine her sentencing i does not make sense. This case should not have come before the magistrates, the police should have given the man aa warning and sent him home. Waste of time.

    • ...!!!!
      May 10, 2011

      As a matter of fact yes it is illegal to walk with a weapon in Roseau!!!!

    • Truth, Justice, Love, Peace and Unity
      May 10, 2011

      @ Anonymous

      While I agree that errors will occur, prior to sending your comment you must check for spelling errors. There are a few spelling errors in this short comment. It is a poor reflection of the writer.

      • wat??
        May 10, 2011

        Roseau have a damn market where niggaz cutting jelly all day how da hell is it illegal bull

        • Truth, Justice, Love, Peace and Unity
          May 11, 2011

          What sense does this make? Can anyone comprehend those words?

  10. anonymous
    May 9, 2011

    This is surely baffling. Did he threaten anyone? Was a complaint made against him? I guess people like me who travel with a cutlass in my car at all times can expect to be arrested and charged….

    • Homeboy
      May 10, 2011

      Carrying a cutlas in your car where it is concealed( under your seat or in your trunk I’d different from RAMBO here having the weapon ( yes it is a weapon because he is miles from his garden- in an urban setting I must add). Can you imagine accidentally bouncing this individual? He could retaliate, using this concealed weapon. Whether it is a gun, cutlass or knife, there is no excuse. DNO mention in the story that the individual has a past history.

    • wrong priorities
      May 10, 2011

      jackassss………………u are idiot…it shud have been u he was goin to swing behind

  11. serious
    May 9, 2011

    this magistrate is as crazy as crazy can be. cant this lady realise when some needs a psychactic evaluatin? this lady will fill up the prisons. this is crazy

    • Truth, Justice, Love, Peace and Unity
      May 9, 2011

      Is there such a professional in Dominica who could conduct “psychiatric evaluations?”
      Is there a psychiatrist in Dominica and a resident one? Would be a good thing if there was one. This man is in dire need of such evaluation and help.

  12. queenie
    May 9, 2011

    i cannot understand some of us…..we want the law to protect us and when it does we complaining and finding all kinds of tings to say………so, all you wanted the man to chap somebody and then take the cutlass from him?

    so what all you trying to say is that if a man is convicted of rape and after some time you see him hanging around a school yard, would u prefer the police take him away or let him rape again before bringing him up?

    the police were very vigilant…….we should be happy they on their p’s and q’s

    PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN CURE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  13. INTERPOL
    May 9, 2011

    WELL I WANT TO KNOW IF I MUST GET A LICENCE TO BUY A CUTLAS BY NASSIF,WHEN I GO TWO TOWN TO BUY A NEW CUTLAS BECAUSE I AM A FARMER AND MY CUTLAS ALMOST FINISH LOL

    • Domerican/PossieMassive
      May 10, 2011

      You are missing the point. He was “dressed in military fatigues,” and the cutlass was concealed. That is enough cause for concern. Nobody knew what his plans were.

      By the way, just make sure when you go and buy your new cutlass by Nassief you do not dress in military clothing because police will hold you too.

  14. Piper
    May 9, 2011

    What would have happened if he was in Pottersville? Canefield? or Massacre? At what location inside or outside of Roseau is a person allowed to carry a cutlass? Would he have been charged if he was wearing clothing stained with banana sap and some mud? Was he charged because he had a previous conviction even if he was not threatening anyone? Would have been charged if he was closer to the market?

    It may seem like a trivial matter, but too often in DA laws are unevenly applied, especially to poor people.

    • Dr Love.
      May 9, 2011

      Man! if is attention you looking for there`s is several other ways to get your much needed attention.Make some scense” Unless this individual is suffering from some mental diease,which was not mentioned and if so could come for some consideration base on his Mental state. But in the absence of those facts. This individual deserves what he got. Can you imagine if he had accousted one of your family member while unlawfully caring that cutlass? PS note i said UNLAWFUL:.

    • Homeboy
      May 10, 2011

      Mr piper you have made sense on some of your previous posts but this one leaves alot to be desired! Irrespective of the nature of clothing albeit stained with sap, mud, syrup etc. No one is allowed to carry an offensive weapon whether in Roseau, Mahaut, ST Jo., Grandbay, Tete Morne, Morne Diablotin.

      A cutlass is for your garden and garden only, EXCEPT if you are immediately involved in selling produce such as coconuts that require ” chopping by the road”.

      • wat??
        May 10, 2011

        but niggaz selling jelly on the sidewalk so mr pipper is right

      • Piper
        May 10, 2011

        I guess all he should have done was place 5 jelly coconuts in front of him and everything would have been cool?

        • Homeboy
          May 10, 2011

          You are a joker! The man has a cutlass concealed you trying to incorporate what if this.. The point is he had a concealed weapon. If you can’t understand that Piper, then crapaud maybe smoke your pipe.

  15. forkit
    May 9, 2011

    same thing i was saying that magistrate has to be more consistant, she send a man one year for a bottle of red cap

    • queenie
      May 9, 2011

      one year not enough…….people need to learn the hard way.

      • wat??
        May 10, 2011

        she go die doh fraid

  16. hopefull
    May 9, 2011

    if i see a man walkin in Roseau with a cutlass i will run or give him big room so d law do right

  17. CLAIRVOYANCE
    May 9, 2011

    hmmm i can imagine all if this was a gbay man the kind of comments that would have been posted here!!!!!lol shatta would be the first to comment.

    • Anonymous
      May 9, 2011

      and you know dis maaaan (chris tucker voice)

    • shatta
      May 9, 2011

      and u know dis maaan

    • Family Guy!!
      May 9, 2011

      and i would be the second to comment if it was a Grand Bay man…just don’t like that part of de country at all!!! who vex lost!

  18. d major
    May 9, 2011

    carrying an offensive weapon without being able to give a justified reason for doing so is an offense especially if it is not concealed or wrapped in sometime away from public view ..

  19. Well Done
    May 9, 2011

    Why is he charges and the so called mad men on the road does have ice pick in their hand? SMDH

  20. mac
    May 9, 2011

    He is from marigot he will always get charge

    • Freakie politics
      May 9, 2011

      Him mad so im must be charged cause “Ahfouahhim” im come from Ahfouahweeland.Dem real fou cause them” tark” bout sesesscion-breaking away from de rest of DALard gad dem ah fou fou real. :)

      • Anonymous
        May 9, 2011

        What is that rubbish?

      • Homeboy
        May 10, 2011

        LMFAO… woyyyyyyyy that was the best response ever!!!!!!

        • Homeboy
          May 10, 2011

          Freakie politics good one

        • Freakie politics.
          May 10, 2011

          Thank you But dem real mad to want to break away from the rest of DA so walking around de town with cutlass in hand dem must be mad ahfou dem be.I wrote this cause the one who wrote about he being from marigot hence will be charged is also a little more than fou too. Did he nominate the cutlass guy to their hall of fame? they had their award distribution 3 weeks ago lol! Lard Gad help ahfouahwee. Eddie let me hear you! you is de king of fouland. :-D :-D :-D

  21. Trouble intended
    May 9, 2011

    So I guess,,,no more Jelly Coconut from the market for me?… I cannot cut them with my fingers….Was this man threatening someone? I don’t quite get this..did they pass a law banning cutlass in Roseau? HELP!!!!

    • charmed
      May 9, 2011

      lets just suppose he was waiting for you and the police caught up with him before he caught you. he already has cases of malaciouness as an officer would you take a chance with this .

    • Anonymous
      May 9, 2011

      educate yourself of the laws of the land an stop being ignorant fool

      • Trouble intended
        May 9, 2011

        Well, I don’t know him, but if he is such a bad man, why just charge him $800 and send him home, especially knowing that he has committed violence in the past? If he wants to commit a crime, you don’t think he has more cutlasses? get real..If the man is a threat, keep him in jail. Charging him $800 and sending him to go get his other cutlass is just looking for trouble.

        In the mean time, I am still not clear..will I get arrested if I take my cutlass to the market with me to cut my jelly coconut?

        • Domincan
          May 9, 2011

          you make no sense! Everyone has rights, and you don’t put someone away because they have had a record. When you guys make comments think about the commits you make because you never know what the future holds for you and your family.

        • DPM
          May 10, 2011

          He was wearing military clothing. Doesn’t that ring a bell?

  22. toally
    May 9, 2011

    wat he was doing with the cutlass lol

  23. mouth of the south
    May 9, 2011

    ok since he’s known to be a trouble maker that one will slide,,, but peeps walking all round d.a with cutlass n knife,,, i guess roseau peeps doesn’t farm,,, see them getting fat like swines,,, fast food alone they know lol

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