Lugay matter adjourned

Lugay, accompanied by his mother, leaves the court on Friday
Lugay, accompanied by his mother, leaves the court on Friday

Joshua Francis, a lawyer representing Roseau North MP Daniel Lugay in an inciting murder matter, has asked the court to “dismiss” the case.

Lugay appeared in court on Friday before Magistrate Bernard Pacquette.

He was arrested and charged by the police last year against the advice of the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Evelina Baptiste, after Alick Lawrence SC made a complaint to the police based on utterances made by him at a UWP public meeting in Soufriere.

Lugay subsequently apologized for his comments.

On Friday the court ordered “disclosure” in the matter to the defense counsel but Francis told the court that to date they had not been “given disclosure and to compound the matter Lawrence has yet to give a statement to the police.”

Francis described the situation as “an abuse of the court”.

He also stated that Lawrence has “never appeared in court for the matter” and no files are available.

Magistrate Bernard Pacquette then stood the matter down for the prosecution to search for the file.

David Bruney, another attorney for Lugay, told Magistrate Pacquette that there is a need to send a message after the prosecution, led by Sergeant Cadette, told the court that “the defense needed an adjournment so that the DPP can further scrutinize the file.”

Bruney was not amused at the absence of the Lawrence, saying, “the defendant is an officer of the court, a senior one at that and has shown disrespect to the court by his non appearance.”

“If the accused (Lugay) was absent, a warrant would have been issued for his arrest,” Bruney stated. “What about the person who made the report, Your Honour? You are being delinquent in your responsibility. I will live it to the conscience of the court.”

In response, Pacquette said the matter will not be dismissed.

“It is premature to dismiss the matter,” he noted. “We have matters in the system since 2007 and they have not been dismissed. I will grant an adjournment to July 27, 2015.”

Cara Shillingford also forms part of Lugay’s legal team.

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48 Comments

  1. Pedrolina
    April 30, 2015

    Who is Paquette working for? The people or the politicians in power?

  2. too late
    April 27, 2015

    Labour party supporters don’t seem able to think well. While Alick not showing up to court cause most likely he knows is a waste of time, labour party supporters like The facts and Doubting Thomas their making fool of themselves

  3. grell
    April 27, 2015

    Only in Dominica, land of corruption,no justice unless you bow to Skeririt,this is how lazy and dumb our people have become.

  4. idoeknow
    April 27, 2015

    I don’t understand. Is saying “that person deserves to die” the same as saying “kill that person!” maybe im just dumb

  5. joan
    April 26, 2015

    Case is on the Calender 2007 cannot come to trial but a case of 2014 is on the calender.I was raise in D.A. and things never worked that way. What is happening every time i read D.N.O. there is soo much lawlessness going on. So all should have chastized Skerrit when he said “No Law…… the young man has demoralized Dominica to the lowest. What ,s up withthe elders in Dominica. My country has gone to the Dogs… I am very upset. I cannot boast my country anymore God help .

  6. birds of a feather
    April 26, 2015

    i wonder what bloggers like lawrence Ettiene have to say about such abuse of the court system when these guys drag people to court and dont show up. Remember ” the bunch of rapist ministers” case against lennox when mista them did the same thing?

  7. mine
    April 25, 2015

    If you a not guilty of something why should you apologize? Lugay should be ashamed of what came out of his mouth.

    • Ex Da Law ms
      April 28, 2015

      And so should the PM and most of his cabinet.

  8. Not a herd follower
    April 25, 2015

    Why such a simple case is being prolonged, especially when the complainant fails to give a statement time and time again and the prosecution has not filed any argument? Why did the Police take the matter to the Court when the DPP says there is no case? The whole thing has POLITICAL INTEFERENCE written over it. Remember who Alick Lawrence is. Recall who brought down Bernard Pacquette to Dominica? The masses in Dominica just sit down in a zombie-like stupor without realizing the direction the country is taking.

    • Ex Da Law ms
      April 28, 2015

      Could not say it better.Its just unbelievable .Wake up guys before it’s too late.My beloved island has gone to the dogs.What a shame.

  9. Thorbjørn Jagland
    April 25, 2015

    Pacquette said the matter will not be dismissed, eh Pacquette where were you in mano case when the people needed justice for the fire bombing

  10. too late
    April 25, 2015

    All you expect the Head of The Immigration Bureau to have time to sit in court when passports have to be sold?

  11. The Facts
    April 24, 2015

    What happened there was a no-show of the defendant? I hope you have a good excuse. You are spoiling matters. You have not given a disclosure and no statement to the police? What is going on?

    • Tex
      April 27, 2015

      Cortuption?????

  12. Dominica
    April 24, 2015

    If you were in Alick place and received such threat anyone would fear for their live and make a report no? so please think of safety before making such ignorant comments….specially during election where everything is possible…think before you talk!

  13. Judy lugay
    April 24, 2015

    What a damn shame.

  14. Bitter Water
    April 24, 2015

    I have no respect for this court. There is no justice in Dominica. Justice only belongs to a select view on the basis of political color. You red and you will get away with just about anything. If you not red justice is denied. This country is under a curse and is just a matter of time before we get a friendly visitation from the one above. Only He can deliver this country from the wickedness we and injustice that has taken the best of our beautiful country the last 10 yrs. It’s a country where they searched the house of Lennox for a crime and f they had found any evidence on him he would be arrested up to this day. However, when they found out that it was one of theirs who did it, they all went into quiet mood. This country stinks! It’s bad! Only in this new Dominica such non sense exists

  15. Mamzel X
    April 24, 2015

    DNO I know you guys don’t work on weekends, so my comment may never be seen. (I don’t know where in the world a news agency shuts down on the weekend)

    So here’s my comment:

    Alick Lawrence’s office is just a stone’s throw away from the court. If the Magistrate had any testicular fortitude (cojones), he would have sent a bailiff to fetch Alick Lawrence.

    Then again, Alick Lawrence probably conveniently excused himself out of Dominica.

  16. Amical diaspora
    April 24, 2015

    All you people to like tori….let the case go on…..Lugay needs to be cautious with his words…others will learn from this…..!!!

  17. Olive Branch or mapoo?
    April 24, 2015

    The 2014 election campaign was one of the worse I have witnessed. Both parties got out of control at times and said dumb things that they should not have said. As bad as what Mr. Lugay said was, I, as an independent person, who voted the DP, still believe the worse statement made during the campaign was this by PM Skerrit in Wesley, on Tuesday Nov. 11, 2014:
    “If you choose not to go out and vote then you are indirectly voting for Lennox Linton to become the prime minister of Dominica. I say tonight that the blood of Dominica would be on your hands, all those who triggered the demise of this beautiful country of ours.”

    This to me was inciting murder and blood shed if UWP had won. Thank God DLP won and bloodshed was averted. Was Mr.Skerrit even asked to retrack this statement let alone arrested? If no, then why go after something that is even less destructive. It’s time to heal this country and let us demonstrate to all that we meant olive branch and NOT mapoo branch

  18. Tony Astaran
    April 24, 2015

    Wait till the rape accusation of Lennox Linton comes to the public.All you not little magyyy nuh. Who saying they not in that. Some saying that is a Tony wet dream. A certain lawyer said Garcons that was election games and he has no interest nor time.
    The best joke is that a few married involuntary complainants are saying they doh want their wife to know some things.

  19. blogg
    April 24, 2015

    What respect… that court does not deserve respect because it has no teeth. There is no file because there is no evidence to substantiate a prima face case against this honorable gentleman. Oh boy the magistrate has given the prosecution to time to at least bundle some paper together to save face. We call this bush justice.

    • The Facts
      April 24, 2015

      You write, honorable gentleman. Do you know the meaning of gentleman and how a gentleman should conduct himself in speech and actions? Look up the meaning of gentleman.
      Some people refer to criminals as gentlemen. I hear it all the time on TV, “this or the gentleman or lady”. This is a grave error.
      Know that not all men are gentlemen and not all women are ladies. Their lifestyle, reputation and mannerism will dictate whether they are or not.

  20. Tou twelle
    April 24, 2015

    What a shame? When we learn to give and take!!!

  21. Kid On The Block
    April 24, 2015

    As a youth is this the best example for me? Inciting murder to someone!

    • Duty
      April 24, 2015

      Okay how about having some respect for DNO as a news site. One moment you reveal you are a hard-back facts trying to use this name to avoid getting thumbs down, now you are a kid. I think we need to start taking DNO seriously and start making sensible comments.

    • Just Asking
      April 24, 2015

      As a youth is this an example for you that an officer of the court, a senior one at that failed to appear in court to defend his life, he said, that is being threatened?

    • No Nonsense
      April 24, 2015

      As a youth, you need to stay in school and stop making these dumb comments

    • The Facts
      April 24, 2015

      Not at all. It is setting a bad example for especially the youths. Is this not disappointing that the majority voted for him? I wonder who did.

    • Dominica
      April 24, 2015

      ikr you got 35 dislikes for speaking the truth…this is how the people think…and we are suppose to vote UWP when they most agree and think that what this man lugay said is ok…

  22. FORKIT
    April 24, 2015

    what a load of bolonney, if the plaintiff does not come to court, who happen’s to be a senior council and a hence man for skerrit. then why drag it because he is not showing interest, a warrant of arrest should be issued for him to appear before the magistrate. but again they brought him to dominica as their magistrate

  23. Lang Mama
    April 24, 2015

    Abuse is joke!!!!. Alice Lawrence was present at Skerrit’s French passport case slough he was on the electoral commission. But this time Alick is a no show and my only guess is Alick’s reservoir is not at threat level.
    What an interesting country we have become and it is no coincidence that Dominica is underperforming – just too much corruption and abuse of authority.
    Tony order that the matter be pursued and what Tony says is law even if he is the privileged dunce lawyer.
    Alick Lawrence will never show up much less make a statement to the police. So how it comes to the court when Alick himself never made a statement to the police.
    The police authority again showing their puppet like characteristics

    • Amical diaspora
      April 24, 2015

      Give mr lawrence a break….all UWP need to do is make there case and go to court too Like all the others BON..

    • The Facts
      April 24, 2015

      They could hide or destroy the files. I am certain it would not be the first time. What happened to the Court House keys when they disappeared at the police station of all. Just imagine.

  24. gods of dominica
    April 24, 2015

    when they have power and authority they can kill in broad day light and get away…only with man, but, God sees all and knows all…Dominican, its all in God’s time, so be still!!!! God is still on His throne and as long as he remains on that throne, He is in control…vengeance is mine says the lord…So to all the super high and mighty men, who think they are bigger than life…all in God’s time

  25. Question
    April 24, 2015

    adjournment adjournment, this rubbish can only happen and be allowed to happen in Dominica. Anywhere else this matter would have been thrown out. God is watching.

  26. fondcole
    April 24, 2015

    Magistrate should shame to say they have matters in the system since 2007. So many other important cases that should take front burner but wasting tax payers money on such a menial matter.

  27. pin
    April 24, 2015

    joshua is not so it happening nuh.dismiss what? what happen thats another freeness job man

  28. Jejep
    April 24, 2015

    A point of correction DNO. MR Alick Lawrence SC is the alleged virtual complainant, not the defendant. an accused becomes a defendant after charges are read to him in court. in this case.. if charges have already been read, the MP for Goodwill is referred to as the defendant.

  29. Jejep
    April 24, 2015

    Strupes man. Throw out that case and move along. Court time can be spent on other more pressing matters.

  30. real possie
    April 24, 2015

    That’s crap if what is being reported is true that’s a damn shame. I want to hear the excuse Allick has.

    • Mamizoo
      April 24, 2015

      Real Porssie are you that surprise. Please tell us what exactly it is that is shameful to you. Is it that there is to much corruption? If so say so. Is it that there are people who are deliberately bent on creating distraction so that the poor people in Dominica and those who are held as economic hostages can’t see nor talk about the mass corruption and deception?
      Real Porssie if you are the same real Porssie who have defended this corrupt regime at every turn of their corrupt practices then I find it very interesting that you are making such statement. Have you lost your consistency

      • real possie
        April 24, 2015

        Mamizoo, I am the real one, I don’t care who it is if I see it wrong I saying it wrong, you may think of me whichever way you want I really don’t care. The way I see it is you brought a charge that if was anywhere in the world would have to step aside because of this, so had the man not run where would he be today? I just want to hear the reason for not showing up and wasting the court time other cases that’s been on the docket could’ve been heard instead, wrong is wrong.

      • Mamizoo
        April 27, 2015

        Real Porssie I agree with you that if anywhere else Danny Lugay would have had to step aside if not legally but also on moral grounds. But such is the case when a statement was made that no law ,no constitution can stop me. Also these people are too free. Both legally and morally someone in government who avoided taxes,committed book with garbage bin transaction,lied about his french passport and know of racketeering but will not allow the police to function – all of these illegal and immoral act deserve not just expulsion but jail time.
        Let us se the strength of your moral fiber Real Porssie

    • fantastic4
      April 24, 2015

      SKERRO-ALIC- TONETONE – EASYDORE above the courts in Dominica. They can do what they want with the legal system and no dog bark. Tone-tone have an injunction against Inland Revenue Department for an indefinite time; let any small business around Dominica try that nuh! EasyDore have 43 charges against him he fail to show up in court more than once; then tone tone bring him court Sherro had police surround court with SSU and Tone tone file an indefinite injunction – let a poor malaway the same ones that shouting labar labar try that nuh!! see if is not bench warrant in their tail and up stock farm for them. The bubbles man have unlicensed fire arm aim at people – police give him back d gun although it was evidence in a case – Castle Bruce or Grandbay youth would be jailed. Alic can come doh come court nothing will happen but let a poor man who not paying child maintenance try that and straight flight to Blanc hotel in stock farm – so them guys abusing the system and enjoying it.

    • The Facts
      April 24, 2015

      I agree. Every D/can has a right to hear his excuse. He owes them one.

    • Mamizoo
      April 25, 2015

      I as k real Porssie to clarify what is shameful cause in the previous article just thr day before he proclaimed that the case has nothing to do with Skerrit and his government foolishness but that the case is just about Alick Lawrence taking Danny Lugay to court.
      Well as usual Labor Party politics make the monkeys eat pepper.

    • Bitter Water
      April 26, 2015

      @real possie, you cannot be the same person that has so blindly and ignorantly defended this corrupt dlp. There is no way that same real possie would post such a fair and balance comment. If that is indeed the same person that have posted so many stupid comments in defense of the corrupt dlp, then I am forced to conclude that you either do not like Alick, or maybe you did not get your fair share of money for your last vote

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