Justice Errol Thomas has sentenced Asher James to 26 years in jail for the brutal murder of Kenny George in 2013.
George died after he was chopped several times with a cutlass by James.
He was 21 years old and James, 19, at the time of the incident.
James was found guilty of murder by a nine-member jury on June 19, 2016.
During sentencing, the court heard from Dr. Nadia Wallace who is a Consultant Psychiatrist at the Acute Psychiatric Unit ( APU) at the Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH).
She said that as mandated by “the court,” she examined the prisoner at the State Prison on June 17, 2016, and diagnosed him as suffering from “substance use disorder” characterized by ” heavy marijuana use.”
Under cross-examination by defense counsel Geoffrey Letang, she explained that she used the “Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorder ( DSM5) for making her diagnosis.
“Because of his heavy and persistent marijuana use, it caused him behavioral problems socially, ” Dr. Wallace told the court.
James, she said, confessed to smoking five to 10 marijuana joints per day from age 11. She said that he admitted that after he uses marijuana, he would be more aggressive and had to eventually be expelled from school, she said.
Wallace also told the court that while she believes he was not regretful of his actions and has shown “no remorse.”
In his mitigation, Letang said that Asher was “remorseful and even cried during his evidence. ”
“He is an ambitious and motivated young man…this incident has traumatized him and family and he is very apologetic. He is at the mercy of the court and begs for lienency,” He said.
James’ mother, Merlina James, describes him as “a loving boy and special at birth.”
“He is an encourager to his siblings and is not a violent person, ” she said.
His father Grantley James also spoke on his behalf.
The social inquiry report was also read and described as “comprehensive” by the court.
Justice Thomas described the murder of Kenny George as “horrendous, barbaric and brutal”.
That murder, he said, should not be repeated in Dominica and the court makes no apologies for fixing a sentence to deter others.
Maximum penalty for murder is life in jail.
Letang was assisted by Ann Riviere.
Sherma Dyrample, Fernillia Felix and Carlita Benjamin, led by DPP Evelina Baptiste, prosecuted for the state.
“The murder was in full view of the public. ..with the deceased dying in the yard of Sylvester Soanes,” is aggravating the judge said.
The attack he said was “planned. ”
The court, he stated, finds that James’ actions were planned and premeditated.
“You have shown no remorse. ..Kenny George had no chance of survival…the cutlass was sharp. Your murder was brutal and excessive. ..murder requires stern sentence, ” the judge said.
He also said given his age, James can be rehabilitated.
James was ordered to undergo psychiatric counseling.
Earlier I wrote a bit directly in response to Isaac on the matter; I encourage the reading of the information.
My concentration on this is on the only benefit of Marijuana:
We know the drug marijuana is a preparation of the leaves, and flowering tops of Cannabis sativa, the hemp plant, which contains a number of pharmacologically active principles “cannabinoids.” Hashish, also derived from the hemp plant; it is obtained from the clear resin secreted by the flowering tops of the plant.
Hashish is thought to be four to eight times more potent than marijuana; both drugs are used for their euphoric properties, and are three to four times more potent when smoked, and inhaled than when ingested: Note: Face the Facts as I told you there is a vast difference in in-gestation, and inhalation! Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) which I mentioned in response to Isaac is the most active ingredient of marijuana can; with heavy use (smoking) narrow the bronchi, and bronchioles and produce…
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Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) which I mentioned in response to Isaac is the most active ingredient of marijuana can; with heavy use (smoking) narrow the bronchi, and bronchioles and produce inflammation of the mucous membranes.
In addition, marijuana smoke contains many of the same chemicals, and tars of tobacco smoke; an d therefore, increases the risk of lung cancer. There is evidence that marijuana increases the risk for miscarriage, and birth defects. There is only one beneficial effect of “THC” and that is the lowering of intraocular pressure, which can be helpful in the control of glaucoma.
Nevertheless, because it causes tachycardia, and increased work for the heart, it cannot be used in most elderly persons; the age group in which glaucoma is prevalent. THC can be used for relief of extreme nausea, and vomiting in patients undergoing cancer chemotherapy. It is imperative to note every patient respond favorable to the treatment of THC, however do benefit some…
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It is imperative to note not every patient respond favorable to the treatment of THC, however do benefit some patients.
Unless someone is treating Glaucoma, or treating Cancer; when caught smoking marijuana they should be sent to jail. To those people who like to give me thumbs down unless you can contradict this with some medical, and something scientific, when you are about to make a fool of yourself print your name along with your comments.
I also asks you to remember Bob Marley, a Caribbean icon, who claimed as long as he smoked Marijuana, his cancer would be cured. The Cancer started on one toe of one foot, however, while he continued to smoke his marijuana the cancer proliferate throughout his entire body and kill him!
A lesson well learnt, let that be an example!
Can someone tell me why did the deceased have a cutlass next to his body?
The doctor is blaming his violence on marijuana? Diagnosed on June 17, 2016 as :substance abuse disorder?? How long has he been at the State Prison? I’ll ask the question of whether he has been using marijuana at the prison since he has been there for over a year now? It takes about a month for marijuana to leave the body system. Meaning say he smoked a joint in May, by the end of June it should not be detected. Making a diagnosis of such on June 17, 2016 after he was in custody at the state prison for more than a year is unacceptable and dumb because at that point he would not have been under any influence. her diagnosis is based on interviews from past behaviors. Marijuana use CANNOT be the scapegoat in this trial. No scientific test or evidence showed this had any part to play in this crime.
The doctor would know if marijuana smoking would cause him to murder the victim.
Besides the testimony of the psychiatrist there is other evidence. Mr. James said he was expelled once from school for being high and disorderly. This could be verified.
I know of crimes committed by people who were high on marijuana and have heard of people under the influence of weed who went of binges of crime and violence.
Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill. Evangelist. (Diploma in Drug Studies)
” It takes about a month for marijuana to leave the body system.”
You see that might be another of the misconception; you stated that as an authority. If you are correct, give me one reference of a theory you read, either from a medical journal, such as JAMA, or any medical text from which you learn that.
If you are correct state the reason why after some users drop the habit for many years. After they stop for say decades; the substance is still found in their blood! When people sustain a wound, after the healing process for as long as they live scar tissue remains and identify the precise part of the body where the wound was sustained.
In the blood there is what is known as markers identifying such substances. Take gonorrhea, and syphilis as an example, if a child was born with any of the two, or the two as an adult if an analysis of the blood is conducted, traces of that VD will be found in the blood!
After a month marijuana are still found in the follicles of the…
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After a month marijuana are still found in the follicles of the hair: how do you account for that? Can’t you see you are just ignorant. Have you been to medical school, have you ever researched and study the effects of Marijuana on the human mind?
Who are you to question the knowledge of someone trained in psychology, and the practice of psychiartry?
Some of you Dominicans are so ignorant, so much so if a doctor is prescribing a medication to you to save your life’s you will tell the doctor “I doh taking that nuh, take it for me an I will get better.”
Sot, sot, sot!
hmmm what is this for me boy all u man der like a marijuana heh hmmm that malfunctioning ur brain
hmmm what is this for me boy all u man der like a marijuana heh hmmm that malfunctioning ur bread
That murder should not be repeated in Dominica…so says the judge…
Not when he is given 26 years…
It is not the first time someone was bludgeoned as this man. Someone related to me an incident which occurred years ago of a man who chopped up another one who was his friend. The murderer went to the man’s home to ask him for money. The victim went inside and got the money for him. When he came out the man took the money and chopped him up. He then proceeded to take the rest of the man’s money.
I was also informed the murderer was hanged. You can imagine how long ago this occurred. This is why the death penalty should be still in effect for premeditated murder; even spontaneous ones.
I am certain it may have occurred more than twice. As the world progresses, it could very well happen again and more than once.
Today, having TV, computer and internet, we are able to hear about them..
Exactly
At the age of 11 he was ingesting marijuana. How did he get it? Who gave it to him? If only Dominica had a rehab system, he probably could have been rehabilitated. at that time
The sentence and punishment fit the crime. It was a heinous crime which he had the guts to commit. Hope he will receive rehabilitation. May the sentence not be decreased. He must bear the full consequences for his evil action.
I am unable to comprehend that there have been so many murders in Dominica and some committed by young people. What happened?
I would be afraid of someone as he who committed such a crime.
They are in dire need of counseling and while in school which could hopefully assist them to become good and useful youths and adults, to also avoid crimes of any nature.
“At the age of 11 he was ingesting marijuana.”
I think there is a vast difference in ingesting, and smoking marijuana. When ingest we eat and swallow, when we smoke we inhale!
Ingest: to take food, liquid, or some other substance into the body by swallowing or absorbing. Swallow, consume gulp down, eat, drink, sip, finish off..
Word to the psychiatrist Asher’s substance abuse is not by marijuana…day nigga used to hit his Poudre all in school
I just have to ask where are the parents of these children as they grow up? where are our 11 years olds this year and what are they doing? how many are being well parented and schooled and how many are not? is there one who is well on his way to fatally and brutally harming another person in 2024?
Where are the fathers and mothers of the children who are committing these heinous crimes? where are the fathers and mothers of the vagrants who are walking the streets partly naked as if from a movie, nature island zombies? is it that they don’t care or is it that they need support?
Some of them don’t know who their father is. They didn’t even have a ”father image” unless it was one of their mother’s boyfriends.
Many had no Sunday School influence in their lives. J. Edgar Hoover, a former head of the F.B.I., said ”A child brought up in Sunday School is seldom brought up in court.”
We have sometimes under estimated the power of the gospel to form and mold young lives into future adults who will be appreciated by society.
Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill. Evangelist.
If you are a D/can, a West Indian, you do realize that some children are disobedient and parents have a hard time controlling them.
You also know it is nothing new, there are dead-beat dads. Some have affairs with the women, impregnate them, leave them and go on to another woman. The pattern repeats itself over and over again. Some of these children do not know their fathers.
Some of these women, as some men have multiple partners. They are unable to be exemplary parents. Consider, some children are left to themselves with no discipline and guidance which is why these become criminals of whatever nature.
We must be fair. Know that this occurs in every country of the world; not only in Dominica.
Their Parents are in Church praying to Jesus to save them from their Sins they have no time to save their offspring!
Am confused for a person of good this and good that to commit such a brutal crime. He ended a life, he took a brother, an uncle, a son, a friend and maybe a father from loved one he is still lucky to get 26 years.
This defense is hog wash. Marijuana does not make people do this kind of crime. I can understand that an individual may steal a toilet boll to sell, in order to get a ‘high’ but not to perpetrate such heinous acts on another, because he was high. Why did he not jump off a precipice if he was so high. I recommend life in the calaboose, that way an example could be set to deter such barbaric action and simultaneously it will give the killer enough time to atone for his sin, if at all there is left in him an once of humanity and if not, is more reason that he should be put away for the public good.
Dr Nalda, part of your diagnosis is based on what the guy said to you? Mam it is obvious that you must be a newbie,,,,people would obviously blame their bad behavior on something other than themselves as to receive sympathy or a more lenient sentence. If you knew from experience you wont be giving such an evaluation. DR NALDA WALLACE PLEASE GO AND DO SOME MORE RESEARCH CAUSE MARIJUANA DOES NOT CAUSE YOU TO BE AGGRESSIVE. You should know that marijuana has a sedative effect,,If you tried it you would know…You never smoked it so its obvious you have never felt that feeling. It is also obvious that the lawyer may have instructed him to say that marijuana caused his aggression in order to receive a lesser sentence, Dr. Nalda you should know that many people make excuses for their bad behavior and not everything your patient tells you its true.
You guys must learn to read and understand. According to the report, Dr. Wallace was mandated by the court to examine the guy at the prison. That alone should tell you that he is not her client. She is representing the State in the trial. Her diagnosis would have to be based on her interview with him, his history and more than likely the DSM which is used by Psychiatrists. As for your “newbie” comment, this is so uncalled for. Newbie or not, the State saw her qualified enough to represent them in this particular trial.
The doctor’s name is not Nalda…so you are already off. Reality is reality. I think we all know the effects of marijuana..and from such al early age…he passed the stage of malfunction. Get some sense please.
why some people in Dominica does really talk fart and nonsense like that. Of course too much smoking of marijuana after some time affects your brain. 10 joint per day for a period of over 7-8 years you think there would not be behavioral problems. Usually when people make statements like that is because they themselves are heavy users and they are trying to defend this argument. BUT their time will come…
Are you freaking kidding me? Leniency for murder? What the hell is wrong with you? Motivated to do what? Smoke weed and committ murder? 26 years is not enough
Ok so check this out these are he legal questions for the defense:
Dr. Wallace claims the Defendant has been affected by Marijuana and have been Smoking from the age of 11 years old, the question is what stain of Cannabis was being used by the defendant, and what is the consistency of tetrahydrocannabinol in that Strain to bring the worst out the Defendant ? On another note where is the scientific data to back Nadia’s findings, I am sure this is not the only individual that have been smoking cannabis from the age of 11 years old, that being said there should be more individuals running around chopping up people on Dominica and every where else people use Cannabis. The defendant is “Sick” and unstable, but don’t blame his instability on the use of Cannabis because when we talk about Marijuana we must identify the main ingredient tetrahydrocannabinol and its effects on Brain functions. Nadia shame on you man for playing into the game of these Albinos. C’mon you forget where you…
Yes I… Dominica so backwards, Rape somebody child get 1 year! Defend yourself from somebody who terrorizing you, you get life in prison. I ain’t even gonna talk to much on this because it BOGUS
This is a case in point that proves marijuana use is sometimes very harmful.
There have been cases of people who have gone on a crime binge involving serial violence and murder who were found to have been high on marijuana.
Here we have the testimony of psychiatrist Dr. Nadia Wallace saying Mr. James mental state could be attributed to marijuana abuse. This doctor is a hospital based psychiatrist appointed by the court. The DMS is the standard textbook used by psychiatrists and 5 is the current edition. Nobody would be better qualified to evaluate James condition. Dr. Wallace would know if marijuana could do this to a person.
Every young person should know that the best way – and only way – to assure that their life is not going to be wasted and squandered is to surrender to Christ. Believe in Him, and receive Him as your Savior.
Continued ,,,
He said:
“The thief (the devil) cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10) This means Jesus came so you can have a life that is so full it overflows
It is a gift because Christ has already paid for it by shedding His blood and dying for your sins. This gift of life is IN Christ. You receive it by receive it by receiving HIM. “… this is the record, that God hath GIVEN to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.” (1 John 5:11-12)
Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill. Evangelist.
@ derp if u read carefully you will see that he confessed to smoke 5 to 10 joints a day so is lying you or him?
He should have been given the death penalty
Smfh! Ambitious? Motivited To Kill? Mitigating for my Client, I get it, our Law give rise to this madness. it is what it is, but if what is reported about this killer is true, they may have convicted the wrong man,? A mother has lost her son, but this guy is still alive and at tax payers expense he will be fed, unfortunately if he does not do the escape or turn on him self with a death sentence, some Day he might be walking our streets a free man. I need my meds, I Rest!
It is unfortunate the young man did not show more constraint or his family did not have the vision to remove him from the community where he had constant altercations with the deceased who also himself a terror.
That is a lesson for young people to respect each other because no one is a winner when these things happen.
My sympathy to both families. God’s strength and support.
Really???? Not violent???? Are you forgetting his school days. You were even afraid of him. Get the boy help and stop denying. Anways he will be out in two years after appeal because the doctor’s words gonna be used against them.
I hate to read these excuses these lawyers make fore these murderers. Ambitious my foot .with all the ambition he had why didn’t he put in in good use instead of smoking 11 joints a day? Give me a break 26 yrs not even enough.
I recall the title of a calypso which was made in another island: “Lawyers are Liars.” They try to successfully defend their clients. Some do succeed.
I fear what is waiting for such lawyers when they die and are judged. All the money they make defending criminals will not help them for they will not be able to take it with them.
No one can buy their way to Heaven. Will God be compassionate and merciful? That is a big question mark.
Marijuana use doesn’t cause violence. Regardless of how many joints smoked. There has to be some other reason for his aggressive behavior. What are they trying to cover up ?
stop smoking all that joint you smoking there in secret. Continue and see if you will write that fart and nonsense you writing there.
Marijuana causes violence by making the part of the mind that would normally analyse a situation and let you know you should not do a particular thing less effective. It robs you of your reasoning and common sense without letting you even know it is happening.
For somebody who is struggling with anger and/or other negative emotions it can be the trigger that sets them off or causes an explosion of violence that might have been dealt with differently by the help of the analytical mind.
The “some other reason” you mention was there all right. But without the marijuana the individual would have kept it in place and dealt with it differently. The marijuana causes the reasoning and common sense that would have controlled the person to go into a state of lethargy. But whatever hate and anger there is remains and violence sometimes erupts.
Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill. Evangelist. (Pastor Counselor Certificate)
If not, he has a terrible bad, uncontrollable temper. I do think marijuana had much to do with it. Unless he was ingesting another substance which dull his senses and caused him to commit the crime. Nevertheless, he bludgeoned his victim to death. It is a grave crime which he must pay for.
While in prison may be taught the Word of God and repent and commence practicing the faith which he must have abandoned. He left a lot of room for the devil to take over his heart and entire body.
May he be taught . . .
Face the Facts:
Thank you! That is good thinking.
God knows Where he is. He may yet encounter Christ.
Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill. Evangelist.
Should have received life in prison.
This is life tho
Some nations have abolished the death penalty even for premeditated murder. This is often followed by a very dark time in their history.
First, people continue to murder sometimes at an increased rate.
Second, governments have not found an alternative punishment for murder that does not create other problems.
What is needed is a revival of New Testament Christianity in our churches with the clear preaching of the gospel of Jesus Christ, and the uncompromised teaching of Biblical principles for Christian living.
Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill. Evangelist.
Justice prevail yes my partnee
r rest in peace Kenny my Doug
Wasted life,what a shame
Sad indeed!
God loves each individual and want what is best for every life.
We have all sinned. Our sin separates us from God. We cannot save ourselves. But God gave His Son to die as a perfect sacrifice for our sins. He paid the price in full for our salvation on the cross. If we believe this – and receive Him as our Savior – He will forgive us and give us eternal life.
Please get your Bible and read:
Romans 3:10,23. Romans 5:6-8. Acts 16:31. Acts 4:12. Ephesians 2:8,9. John 3:16,17. 1 John 5:11,12.
When we commit our lives to Christ God renews our minds. He protects us, preserves, and keeps us in His care! You can KNOW your life will never be wasted or squandered. We are saved from the guilt of the past and the fear of the future
The Bible says “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” (2 Corinthians 5:17)
Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill. Evangelist.
The other one is dead and he will soon be a free man. That’s why people will continue to kill each other in Dominica and knowing that they will be set free
James is a lucky guy because he deserves life in prison for that murder! marijuana does not let or draw one to kill one, the point is if someone cant smoke and handle his/herself then don’t smoke, that way you will not kill anyone………… Young man you are in for a long time and I do hope if you are out some day your life will be different.
He did get life innprison plus one year.. in legal terms lige is regarded as 25 years.
Great! Let this be a lesson to others. Although I believe he should get a heavier sentence. You don’t play with people’s lives. Live and let live
Hope he will make all the 26 years ,yet it is not sufficient for taking someones life..
He still has to answer to God for this crime, killing a human being and in such a manner. May he repent, make penance and restitution in the form of also sacrifice to appease God. Otherwise, he will become worst.
His victim’s blood is crying to Heaven for vengeance. He has this weight on his head, his shoulders, all over his body. This will convict him for the rest of his life. How does one forget and get over killing another?
“five to 10 marijuana joints per day from age 11” lies I know him long time and he did not use it like that also knowing him growing up he was nice calm and cool so using cannabis as a scape goat is such hogwash
He was too intoxicated with ingesting it. This is why he was calm and cool. They usually are.