Judges of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (ECSC) have dismissed the appeal by Denny Shillingford who was convicted in 2011, on a charge of grievous bodily harm.
He was sentenced to four years behind bars.
Although the judges agreed with counsel for Denny Shillingford (Dawn Yearwood Stewart) that “there were a few irregularities” in the matter, they concluded, “we are of the view, that the evidence of the prosecution was strong and cogent and strongly supports the verdict of the jury.”
In their ruling, which was delivered on Tuesday afternoon, the judges said, “We don’t think that it’s unsafe, even if the court agrees with counsel that there were irregularities and omissions by the trial Judge. However, a jury, properly directed in our view, despite the errors and omissions of the trial judge would have arrived at the same verdict. Your appeal is therefore dismissed.”
Reports are that Shillingford had instructed his pit-bull to attack Davidson Joseph in the early hours of September 24, 2009 at St. Joseph.
In his defense, Shillingford had insisted that Joseph was the aggressor who had attacked him with a cutlass, which led to the dog biting him.
This dog should be put down in the USA once a dog bite a person you go to sleep bye bye doggy it bones would be making suflet long time
DNO, you all don’t like to pray man? Maybe you are not a Catholic man? An act of Contrition is just a prayer. How is that you don’t me at all? No matter what the subject matter is and no matter how many comments I post, you just keep me in the “Awaiting moderation” mood and never put me out. I will still continue to pray my little prayer to see if I will not get favor with you all. Join me in prayer please. An act of contrition, Oh DNO, I am very sorry for my comments I take time to post and you don’t post them. Because my political views are different from your. Therefore I promise to keep trying again.
Cut Denny some slack,the system and the rest of Dominica that don’t know the truth to the matter. There’s no way Denny would do such a petty crime. Denny my blood stay strong and we still love you in the streets
He should serve his prison sentence and keep in mind that that he should have kept his dog muzzled and not allow it to bite/injure people. It is negligent and dangerous to allow his dog to do such a thing.
Who paid for his appeal?
Too many to keep up with?
To refresh your memory simply go to DNO archives. That is where it is at as reported/posted. 
This is in response to Sammy’s comment.
another loser DA male! They’re in abundance.
Waw! Judges agreed that there were a few irregularities and ommisions by the trial judge but, yet dismissed the case? Unheard of!!!
This verdict is the opposite of what took place in 1995 where former Football star O.J Simpson was charged with ten counts of murder for allegedly killing his wife and male friend. The evidence was there against Simpson but on the basis of irregularities and omissions Samson was declared not guilty. Boy we have some strange verdicts going down in Dominica these days which really have me to question the integrity of the ecsc.
What of making statements that are defamatory to somones character and good name but not guilty of slander becasue of ………..
How in the world would anyone expect Denny Shillingford to win the appeal? This is a case between Denny verses the state, although on the record we see another name. This is the new politics of Dominica and there was a lot at stake for the them boys. This is the same Denny Shillingford that made that great confession about the Christmas day bombing where some interesting names were also mentioned by him. Why in the world would those guys not go all out to ensure that Denny does not become a free man and probably spend the rest of his political life in prison? They know very well if he is free he would ink a book on what happened and questions would be asked. Maybe there might be a victory meeting at Lagon on Friday night with some real big name speakers present.
This guy is a big treat to the community let him stay in jail that’s where he belongs. This pitbull would have killed the guy.
What was this case about? Because I get confuse when I try to follow cases in Dominica. Most glaring are those murder cases, where the criminals get to walk free while some of lesser significance cannot see the light of day.
These appeal judges continue to amaze me. How can you in one breath agree that the trial made errors, agree that there were irregularities, and yet conclude that the jury was properly directed? Please, give me a break. The gay maybe a criminal, but what happened to fair trial? Is the concept only for a select few?
Of course law not been an exact science, but of more subjective reasoning than real objectivity, especially when it comes to the poorest among us.
This whol
e Eastern Caribbean Justice System needs to be reformed, and more learned and competent jurists be put in place to prevent the total disintegration of law and justice in these states.
No wnder they are referred to as small Islands.
louise Bernard
You have a new tendency to expose your obvious ignorance
There can be irregularities in a trial but these irregularities must be related to matters of substance involved in the case. if this is the case then the judgment of the lower court will have to be set aside. Clearly this is not the case in this trial at all.
Its better to ask questions before you juMP to assconclusions OK DNO HELP THOSE PEOPLE.
Re read the article dumbo. The court is of the view that had the jury been properly directed, they would have arrived at the same verdict. The other side to reading is comprehension. Comprehend!!!
well said frenchy
“the guy?”
Did you get the facts surrounding the case? Please do sir
People beware. That man is a dangerous man!
Just desert … I listened to the trial. Mr. have good guts to try to appeal the sentence!
He shoulda gotten a few more years at appeal
What happened to the dog? Was it put to sleep?
It should have been put to sleep. Dogs that attack people in Canada of all are impounded, sent to the humane society – SPCA and/or immediately put to sleep. It should not remain with its owner. The Law in DA must look into this matter. Please do not be lax.
ah pure lie he ah tell a man wit a cutlass in he hand can never allowed a dog to bite he up in this manner trust me the dog would be dead
Garson,you have used Tony Astaphan.
Given this man’s confession in the most important unsolved crime in Dominica, I fear for his life in prison.
This man should be granted special protection. Is there a withness protection act in Dominica?
Your comment and concern is very valid.
However, Skerrit and the “gang” would not be that reckless(I hope) since everyone is watching.
Concern Dominicans are still awaiting justice for Mr. Emmanuel and family.