Suspended police inspector, Lincoln Corbette, is a free man, at least for now, after his lawyers Peter Alleyne and Lennox Lawrence, were able to convince magistrate Candia Carette-George to strike out a case of wounding with intent against him for “want of prosecution.”
During his submissions, Lawrence first responded to a letter from DPP, Evelina Baptiste, who asked for an adjournment in the matter because of “lack of administrative support.”
But Lawrence told the court that the letter amounted to “nothing”.
“This is a man who comes to court for 15 months and has never missed his court date … it’s an abuse of the process of the court and should not be accepted…this is like a joke now, a citizen must not be so abused and so we are asking you to strike out the matter for want of prosecution,” he said.
In response, the magistrate said she was perplexed when the state’s main witness has said that he was no longer interested in the matter and the state decided to continue anyway.
“In all my stint on the bench, I have never seen or heard this and that was new to me, this is the eigth time that this matter has come up and I have granted all the adjournments as requested by the prosecution,” the magistrate stated.
She went on to add that while she “understands the concerns of the DPP, the scales of justice must be balanced and the court cannot be seen to be one-sided.”
“The DPP can review and refile at any time. It’s not a summary matter. I cannot, in all fairness, grant another adjournment and so the matter is struck out for want of prosecution; not on the merits of the case since it has not been heard,” Carette-George said.
When asked for a comment, Sherma Dyrample who represented the office of the DPP, said, “I have no comments on the matter.”
Corbette’s lead attorney, Lawrence, said that after reviewing the matter the magistrate came to the conclusion that “fairness and justice required the matter to be struck out.”
The matter, he said, can be reinstated by the DPP after review if she finds merit in so doing.
He called the decision to strike it out as “fair.”
Corbette was charged with wounding Nicholas Roberts at a primary school compound in Roseau on July 2011.
He was granted bail in the sum of $30,000 in August 2012.
Before today’s decision, his lawyers had been unsuccessful in several attempts before the courts to have the matter, which has taken many twists and turns, dismissed.
On one occasion, Roberts took the stand and under oath stated that Corbette was not responsible for his injuries but that he (Roberts) had “accidentally shot himself” and that he was not willing to offer any further evidence in that matter.
But the office of the DPP consistently refused to accept Roberts’ statements and said it had enough evidence to proceed.
God knows the truth he has a account to give to him. If the victim did not want to testify maybe he fear for his life let God be the judge.
Justice Justice Justice. the system is wicked and evil and i believe Dominica and Dominicans are doing something wrong.
There are so many officers who have been charges for crimes and have been pursued by the system and for Corbett, no show.. lawyers dont show up but is someone they wanted to crucify they would be in court everyday they would never miss.
This system is just sick.
Labour!!!
Expected nothing different, did anyone else?? Dominica we living wee
Lincoln Corbette, enjoy your life in happiness and peace that your case was struck out. I hope it will never re-surface. You have been through a lot for the past few years, enough to give you additional grey hairs, anxiety, stress and no doubt loss of sleep which could lead to a medical illness. Take good care of yourself with the help of God.
Corbette short him but I would cut of his dick and the balls. I would write and stick a placard saying I LOST MY BALLS BECAUSE OF RAPE.
the word is shot
I am happy that the case is over. I do not know of any man who would think that their daughter is being raped and would not take action. This is a point where you would put away all sense and sensibility to protect your child, whether you are a cop or not. But not surprisingly, the population does not see it that way because it is the same people who do not stand up against child abuse.
These do not think. They do not stand up for the truth and to defend the truth. Their day is coming. Wait until rape occurs in their family. It will be a different story.
Dominicans are a bunch of hypocrites; wasn’t it just this past week that you all were marching in the streets against child abuse and violence against women? How would you all feel if your five year old was attacked? You march and protest when it is convenient to you but when it’s someone you don’t like, it’s injustice. Stop playing politics with the man’s life, he is free to support which ever party he wants, just like any other Dominican. That is why so many of our children are violated because we condone, uphold and encourage the child molesters, rapist and pedophiles that live among us. It doesn’t matter if you are Labor, UWP or Freedom, you should honor Inspector Corbette for his bravery and for being an outstanding police office, one of the few that are true policemen. The Roberts family have remained silent, can you ask them why their brother is not welcomed at their home where there are young children.? All those who have derogatory things to say about this esteemed officer remember that you CANNOT TOUCH GODS’S ANNOINTED.
As much as anyone would like to hurt the person who huurt their child……you are committing a crime yiursekf by taking the law into your iwn hands……..and will be charged and convicted
Thiny i assume you do not have a child of your own because of this statement you made. As a parent first instinct is to protect your child. your first instinct is NEVER “am I going to be punished for that?”
If u caught the person in the act. Then that’s another story……..your actions can be justified
Yes I Skerrit country boy
STOP PRESS ! ! Consider this… if Mr Corbette is innocent, Thank God but if he is guilty there is something called Revenge and Vengence and God says those two belongs to HIM .No use we fuss and fight.
Remember O J Simpson ? George Zimmerman ? Yohan VanderSluth (the fellow who was implicated in the death of Natalie Gallaway) and we can go on and on .
The innocent gets off the hook ,but the guilty pays.. sometimes for the rest of his life.
I want the best for you Mr Corbette.
It was a strange case, one in a million I suppose. The issue is that “The Case against Lincoln Corbette was struck out.”
Did you not read that the supposedly victim did not wish to pursue the case against Corbette? They were his words in favor of Corbette.
It probably showed that the man was obviously guilty. The man cannot be forced to testify if he has no wish to do so. How could the Court hear such a case and continue with it? It should have been closed a long time ago. This should have been the end of the story.
It was about time they throw out that case stupes!
Kangaroo court system!
As an individual who have walked the streets of Roseau in government boots, for me, it’s never a welcoming thing to see police officers prosecuted.
In my humble opinion, this weakens the morale of police officers. Interestingly, on the other hand, it reinforces and strengthen the criminals.
Officers, try to be professional at all times. Remember you’re police officers 24/7.
Insp. Corbette, I wish you all this best.
You are mistaken Sir. A police officer should be subject to the law, like everyone else, regardless of the position he holds.
How could the Court hear this case? You have any suggestion?
I support this statement a 100 % and the question is why did the DPP office when to proceed when investigations revealed that thier was no evidence especially when so called victim said he wants no part of the case.
Police Officers should all join forces and stop fighting down one another destroying the Morale of the Police Force.I bet you right now is a rat race in the Police Force,Officers carring news for promotion etc.However Justice for one and Justice for all.I sypathise with you as a Police Officer in court and i am happy that you got Justice.
Thank u lord!!!
Who jay bless no ma can curse..I said it from day one that Insp. Corbette will be freed by the courts somehow. He did the right thing when he shot the perpetrator. Now let me see what the “bossman” will do since he seemed obsessed with the case and throwing Insp. Corbette to the wolves. Hopefully that will make the officer stronger as he continue to serve we the public without fear, favor, malice or ill will. But Change Must Come..
Assertive, NOT Agressive!
Your name indicates who u r
Its Dominica’s legal system, so I am not surprised.Had he been a poor bare footed man, he would have been hung. ALL THSESE NONSENSE SHALL ONE DAY COME TO AN END. Always take CLEVER DOMINICANS for a set of fools. LITTLE DO YOU ALL KNOW, WE ARE NOT!!!!!
How long?
Not long!!!!!!!!
whats yr point damn idiot
What nonsense are you referring to? The Court has made a decision, hopefully, once and for all.
Ok I need all commentators on this story to please, I beg you please, get the facts before you try to make this into a political matter, which it is NOT. Corbette continued to go to court for a year and a half and the DPP office continued to ask for ‘time-off’. How long can this go on for? Think what would happen if this were you. SMFH
The DPP had a problem of non-belief. However, it was not possible to pursue the case since the man had no wish to testify against Corbette. Therefore, the case should have been quashed months ago. Those with sense should have comprehended that. Why was it so difficult for the DPP to comprehend?
Dominicans must learn to make decisions in a rational way. We must not get carried away by emotions. All those who are making the silly and ridiculous comments, I wonder how many of them understood on what grounds that the decision was made. Stop and think!
Very interesting, a man is shot in his rear. The matter does to court and he tells the court he short himself. Is that a Nancy story, or a quick quark. The evil that men do, lives with them and not with their children.
These are the signs of the times!The next Level!Dictatorship is progressing nicely.If You support me the Courts cannot touch You .Message received loud and clear!
Voters,do something about it before it reaches Your doorstep and affects Your Family .Dictators are known to take out their own.
Such a foolish comment! Wow
You seem to forget that a man was beaten to death on the streets of Marigot a few years ago and not even an arrest was made. Did you remain silent then? I suppose the politics suited you then. Fairness should not be seasonal. It is always good to leave the politics out of situstions like this.Let us look at it from the point of view of the law and the courts.
The nonsense continues in Dominica. I tell you this country is on a steep decline. We need a revolution to build a new Dominica where justice and truth reigns supreme and people are taught to be independent and fair.
jail is not for police .but poor malaways like me and u, so when u see these people suffering in life u may say alse, but is what they do that beating them
one time or another all of us has to suffer in life, damn idiot
Way pappa….the man who was shot is a scumbag and rapist, but Corbette plain ole lied and tried everything to get to where it is today. On the day of the incident, neither his child nor anyone else was touched, or even in remote contact with the man, nor did the man lounge at him. If you want to say you finally got a dirty rapist fine, however don’t drag your child into the misery and try to get others to lie. People asking if others have kids? that is not the issue. The issue is Corbette LIED and then tried every cover up possible. Carry on your highness, it may not be a lowlife next time, you will buck up and draw on the wrong UPSTANDING citizen and face your wrath.
orion you are just a fool what u wish for others may just happen to u.all you to political.
@ John Brown you all like calling people names once they express an opinion different from what you all like. I read Orions’ posting and I saw no politics, but you did, so I guess you have a political leaning or axe to grind. The same can be said of you wishing bad on the person. Corbette lied whether you want to hear it or not. So what about the guy in the nightclub? When will he get justice for being pistol whipped to no ends for doing absolutely nothing! Abusing people and the system because you feel you can and having defenders is still wrong.
Is Corbette a politician?……What has justice come to…..I guess the present Commissioner made a grave error in his report……….wow
If the man testified against Corbette, it would have been a different story. Therefore, why your statement of judging?
Well Cobby so happy for u my brother..welcome back to the field of work…cant keep a good man down
Anyone would have acted the same way Corbette did which is just simply protecting your daughter from a carrier criminal. No wonder he refused to cooperate with the prosecution because he knows in his heart that he was wrong chasing the man’s daughter. Some people want to crucify the Officer, but if it was your daughter, what would you have done differently?
Rule …..Are u still believing this lie? No child was attacked
I move to change my country’s name to Duvalier’s Haiti.
I am from La Plaine and grew up with Corbette—he will do it again….. stay tuned….
You claim that you grew up with Corbette, can you name one thing he has done against the law! you yourself must be a child molester, you cannot bear to see that someone who you claim to have grown up with has made something of his life and you are still in the dumps. There is this great quote “THE HEIGHTS THAT GREAT MEN REACHED AND KEPT WERE NOT ATTAINED BY SUDDEN FLIGHTS BUT THEY WHILE THEIR COMPANIONS SLEPT, WERE TOILING UPWARDS IN THE NIGHT”. If inspector Corbette had acted as a father, that man would be dead but he acted as a POLICE OFFICER, an exemplary at that. Stop your hating.
WE ARE DOOMED WITH THIS JUSTICE SYSTEM WHICH IS CONTROLLED BY THIS RULLING REGIM
Stop the madness this happens everywhere around the world. I am not saying it’s right but it happens so stop giving Dominica such negative vibes.
Social Stratification is alive and well.
way my UWI peeps??
My heart weeps for you Dominica. A man shot an innocent man in his rear and and claimed self-defence and the case is dismissed. Anyway, George Zimmerman can attest to what justice is. I wish Mr Corbette the best.
innocent man!!!!!!!!! u must be kidding me> I just hop you don’t have a little girl.
and they want people to report things to crimestopper? papa met in heaven, adowable
Another police Officer go scot free. Alas papa! when will I see a police officer get his just reward for using “EXCESSIVE FORCE” in the conduct of his duties. I am not condoning violence against the police in any way. The police, like very citizen is entitled to defend himself if he feels threatened under attack. But the police always get away. Never in my life time across so many administrations have I seen a police pay for his excessive actions.. i.e arrested, charged, go to court, face judge and jury and either get acquitted or found guilty. If it was my child that was under “attack” by that scum at a place where that child should be safe and I shot him as was told by the media following Corbette’s engagement, there is no way under the sun that I would not be tried before a court even if I may win my case. It should be interested to find out why the recipient of the bullet did not want to testify. An inquiry is in order
Is that the only police man in Dominica driving a Lexus LX450 fully loaded SUV?
SO WHAT
What’s your point? If a person choose to drive a Lexus LX450 fully loaded SUV, that’s their choice. If you choose to drive a “cabooway” that’s your choice.
Its not about choices
is what you doing that allows you to drive what you can afford
there is drugs there is guns and there is other means
@ Bayside You are too darn hypocrite, and wicked.
Jealous much?
struppessss! what lexus have to do with the court ruling?
Like hatred, jealousy is forbidden by the laws of life because it is essentially destructive. Stop hating on the man because he drives a Lexus SUV..Hater!!!
This police man has a good business and I would like to believe that he can drive what the hell he wants as long as he can afford it!!! And I not what that has to do wth anything!
this is just more proof that anything can happen in dominica…
Do u have kids?
@Catalea yes i do…why u ask?
@Catalea….if you are asking me if i have kids to suggest that i would not be sensitive to what Mr Corbette did..you could not be more WRONG!!!!
I have 4 FOUR kids..No Child should be assulated in any way shape or form…and I know Mr Corbette and his Daughter…I taught her..She is a lovely little girl…but this is totally besides the point.This case was not whether or not this guy did what he is accused of…this case was about whether or not Mr Corbette acted inappropriately himself….An investigation was done which came to a conclusion that Mr Corbette was wrong in his actions..((THIS DOES NOT EXCUSE the guy who was accused of assaulting the child))…neither does it permit Mr Corbette or anyone to take the law in to their own hands and the manipulate it to suit them….Because where will it end?
@ Catalea This is a very silly question. So because I have two girls, I am going to support what the man did? Only in this failed Dominica, he would do it and go free. THIS IS A REALLY A FAILED STATE.
Good news. Welcome back bro.
I remember a year ago a young lady was beaten to a state of unconsciousness right infront of a police officer. The individual was not prosecuted because the victim decided not to press charges even though there was enough evidence an a witness to do so. Now with all this talk about domestic violence and child abuse people need to take the fight to their parl reps so laws can be passed.
I see in this case even after the victim refused to testify the DPP continued pursuing the case. Why the same was not done for the hundreds of young kids and women abused in our society.
If there was intimidation of witnesss then they should find out. It shows our level of judicial process in our sweet land
woieeeeeee
only god knows wart is right ore rowng if the police was right am happy for him, but if he is rowng tobard god will deal with him, and he must pay .
continued……DOMINICA’s JUSTICE SYSTEM FOR YOU !!!
WELL….WELL….WELL . THIS IS DOMINICA’S
job well don
By who?
cannot believe this