Picard’s man family calls for justice

Esprit says she wants justice for her brother
Esprit says she wants justice for her brother

The family of the late Joshua Etienne, of Picard who died in police custody, say they will not bury his body until they are satisfied that those responsible for his death have been properly brought to justice.

They say they will hold a candle light vigil for Etienne on Friday evening as they seek justice for their loved one.

“We are asking all peaceful and loving Dominican citizen to join us in a candle light vigil outside Police Headquarters from 7.30 pm,” Etienne’s sister, Agnes Esprit said outside Police Headquarters on Friday. “We want justice for our brother…and we will not bury him until we have found a response for those responsible. God is hearing, I am praying.”

She laments that since August 5, her brother’s lifeless body was taken from a police cell in Portsmouth “and up to now those allegedly responsible are yet to be brought to justice.”

Family lawyer, Tiyani Behanzin, cautioned persons who plan to attend the vigil to be “peaceful”.

Etienne’s body was found in his cell at the Portsmouth Police Station, where he was being held, at around 5:00 am on August 5.

He was pronounced dead by a district medical officer.

He was arrested on August 4, at around 9:30 pm in Glanvillia for the alleged possession of ammunition.

A Roseau magistrate decided not to allow the charge of murder to be read to five police officers arrested and facing charges in the matter, pending a Judicial Review.

According to the magistrate he will await a decision from the High Court but this was viewed by the Director of Public Prosecution ( DPP ) Evelina Baptiste as “wrong in law. “

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45 Comments

  1. Anonymous
    August 18, 2014

    Sad

  2. rastafari
    August 16, 2014

    It isn’t surprising that an article like this has only generated ten comments. Where are the so called “God fearing people on island? There’s a spirit of lawlessness which has been unleashed. Remember the Prime Minster said no law or constitution could stop him from being nominated so we should not be surprised . Everybody doing as they please in this country. I pray that someway somehow this spirit of lawlessness be cast into hell where it rightly belongs before it is too late

  3. .
    August 16, 2014

    Why were there so many police officers sitting in court when the case was called. Why was the public ( except family and friends of the police officers ) not allowed in court.

    Why were the family and friends of the deceased not given the decency of a seat.

    Why was the family and friends of the police officers allowed to visit them, hug and kiss them before and after the court sitting. Where in the world does this happen outside Dominica

    Why did the police take up all the seats in court

    • nah
      August 19, 2014

      because allu too fast and like beff…….. the majority of allu that was there was not to support the “victim” family, it was for beff.

      Funny how someone can terrorize others and be in and out of jail, but all of a sudden is a saint. Where were all the concerned citizens when he was in and out of jail committing crime, pulling gun on people?

      His victims were terrified. His attack was brutal. He has been a SOB from time Portsmouth people can remember. Now all of a sudden what?????????????

      All I see is a payday. A big pay day. That’s all they concerned about. Not him.

  4. August 16, 2014

    If GOD is hearing,as she claims,what more justice is needed down here..HE dose hear and also see,by the way..
    When the matter is taken to the LORD in prayer..you leave it with HIM,and as the lawyers would say down here( I rest my case) you to rest your case with HIM..Although HE has it all covered even before it played out..
    HE will not avenge twice for the same matter.HE is a just GOD,dose not think or do things as we do..
    And so, vengeance is HIS,HE will repay..saith the LORD..
    You can’t claim that you’re putting it in HIS hand,and then turn around seeking justice elsewhere…

  5. rowrowbaby
    August 16, 2014

    To loose two brothers within one month to murder and a grandson in a freak accident is too much for one person at least give her some justice. God will see you through Esprit my prayers are with you.

  6. Value 4 Money
    August 15, 2014

    Agnes Esprit is his sister?..is this Agnes Esprit from mahaut/Jimmit or is this another person with the same name?

    • Lawandorder
      August 23, 2014

      From what I recall Agnes Espirit from Mahaut was taller and light shinned. I guess 2 people can have the same name.

  7. Rabbit
    August 15, 2014

    Dominicans are cowards who can’t make sense out of nonsense. Nothing is going to come out of that except for a bunch of talk. DNO is people red carpet so when they would shut up in public they chat behind a computer or a smart phone

    • Lawandorder
      August 23, 2014

      That is a good thing. Not everyone is as brave as you to speak in public. Put your picture let me see your face. Dominica is a small place and people are afraid of retaliation.

  8. km
    August 15, 2014

    Let’s all stand in support with the family, let’s make it peaceful. This is not about politics it’s about respect for human lifes. If the gentleman was breaking the law allow the system to work as it was intended. Please I am asking again let us be peaceful in our demonstration. May God bless us all.

  9. omg
    August 15, 2014

    that police woman is a reporter ? hmmmmmmm

  10. listener
    August 15, 2014

    As for me i’m disappointed i’m angry i’m everything about this situation, I can’t understand a human being is treated this way and the pwa thinks they acted in good faith OMG, I think their should be a fund raising in support of the family of Jushua ,sis Esprit bring it on we Dominicans will support we are not making politics about this but we just want justice to prevail some police are doing too much damn nonesence now they need to learn a lesson I knew Jushua very well and I want to be the first to drop a coin, Father in heaven let there be justice in this case please please please .

  11. August 15, 2014

    Let’s wait for the result of the autopsy before we keep calling these cops all kind of names.Praying for the family of the dead man.

    • no warrant
      August 18, 2014

      Wait is a heavy load You know well that the country upside down they will always make it in police favour but the justice that man refuse to do God will he is not sleeping

  12. hmmmm
    August 15, 2014

    So sad, but this is not the first, I know of a young man that was bitten up in the cell also, thank God he did not die.I pray that justice will be served and the needed steps will be taken in order to prevent police brutality when they are taken into custody.Jah guidance to the family.

  13. August 15, 2014

    Dominica is a lawless island almost like a banana republic.
    When the head says that no law or constitution can apply to him then there will always be no respect by the population. Police have gone awry and we can’t trust them because there was no justice for the attorneys house which was firebommbed

    • Anonymous
      August 15, 2014

      You need to shut up you all always there to jump on Dominica back like Dominica is the only country in the world where justice is not fair .America is a perfect example did Trevon martin got any justice ? and what about 18 year old Michael Brown from Missouri U.S.A who just got killed by the police so when you all talking Dominica look around and know that Dominica is not the only place in the world that is sometimes lawless people like you always give people outside the wrong impression about Dominica.no matter how lawless Dominica may seems to some of you whoever were involved in the death of this man I’m sure they won’t get away from the law

      • Lawandorder
        August 23, 2014

        Stop talking about America and its system. No matter how you try, you can’t bring America down. Do some research and think of another country or other Caribbean Island. It’s a big world which is not just Dominica and America. God bless America/Lovely Dominica.

    • Anonymous
      August 15, 2014

      everything is a politic that why we have the smart a s s in these country

    • Anonymous
      August 16, 2014

      This is a dumb statement. When Skerrit’s statement is analysed by the rules of the English language, the meaning is different from what you and others have been promoting. In his statement, Skerrit used the word UNDER. You all have conveniently left out that word so as to give the meaning you choose to promote.

  14. Anonymous
    August 15, 2014

    That woman beside the sister of the victim is a police officer, there were three police officers who are normally detailed to protect the PM, does this mean that the officers were following political directives????

    • just saying
      August 18, 2014

      even police officers have family too. i could be a police officer and my fellow police officers could have killed my brother,son,cousin,father,family member.whats your point?

  15. Frank Talker
    August 15, 2014

    I am especially grieving for the family of Etienne and I am hopeful that some resolution will be found for this heartless beating. But, at the same time, I am also grieving for Hayden Morgan and his family. This is a man I have respect for, not just as a Police Officer who gets results, but as a man who desires to please God. If he comes through this battle, I will advise that he consider ending his Police career and focus on salvation. I pray for you, bro!

  16. Citizen of Dominica
    August 15, 2014

    we need to keep a vigil in Portsmouth. The crime was committed here in Possie. Joshua will be missed by all who knew him. I know we will miss him in Glanvillia.

    • Lawandorder
      August 23, 2014

      Really? For what?

  17. Anonymous
    August 15, 2014

    May the Lord strengthen the family. The DPP and the Magistrate better not get themselves entangled in the mischief of the officers. All five cannot murder one man, none will say what happened, they will go into tears but not say. The same ones in tears hold a bible in hand in church on Sundays. Please Please DPP and Magistrates you all have a future and kids, do the right thing, DO NOT GET CAUGHT UP IN TRYING TO HELP THE POLICE, the court is not for helping people but to seek justice. Cause when the raft comes down everyone will pay.

  18. correction
    August 15, 2014

    Isn’t that the police woman Solange Francis in that photo? The one with the darkers/shades? The same one who works at NJIC, Financial center? She turn reporter now?. Well her picture come out. Pure unprofessionalism for someone working at NJIC. Wasn’t she trained how to collect information. I wonder who is the head of NJIC?

    • commando
      August 16, 2014

      i agreee

  19. practitioner
    August 15, 2014

    Where are the politicians on this matter? Why are they not speaking out? Where do they stand in this matter of of Human Rights? Are they oppose to equal rights and justice? What is the meaning of the silence?

  20. correction
    August 15, 2014

    “The family of the late Joshua Etienne, of Picard who died in police custody, say they will not bury his body until they are satisfied……”? That is pure Horse manure! I understand you all grief, but think of it, at whose cost are you going to leave that body in the chiller or at the funeral home? Is not peanuts that going to cost you all. And it’s surely not going to be at the cost of these officers or the government. So, go bury your dead and let justice takes its course. Stop the ignorance!

  21. trolol
    August 15, 2014

    Possession of ammunition ain’t no joke… What was he an assassin or something?

  22. Gasparo Contarini
    August 15, 2014

    Tiyani Danny Lugay was right about some Dominicans.

  23. The Watcher
    August 15, 2014

    Who feels it knows. Some people will never understand a particular thing until it happens to them. Some others just don’t have a heart. We should learn from each other’s experiences. We should also support each other through these experiences. My heart goes out to the family of The young man who was killed in P/mouth, allegedly at the hands of the Authorities. May Yahweh grant you justice and closure.
    #J4J #justice4joshua

  24. A Voice
    August 15, 2014

    This is a good start from the family. I agree do not bury his body until some serious headway is made in getting those accused to answer to the law. No man is above the law.

    But this is not enough, you guys need to organize some sort of civil disobedience. I have no doubt, that if the shoe was on the other foot and this guy had allegedly killed 5 officers, there would have been no judicial review or the like for him.

    Trust me, this case going to linger and bounce around in the court system and come to naught. You guys have to start doing things that will make the gov’t, judiciary and the police want to see justice done in this case expeditiously.

    The legal system is stacked against the poor malayway. Don’t depend on the fox to guard the fowl cage. This is just the beginning, if you guys don’t take some drastic actions you will get no justice. These guys don’t worry about justice for your relative; he was not one of the in-club. Their thought is for how comfortable their boys are and how to get through this with as little damage as possible.

    It is up to you guys to get justice. Remember one droplet of water turns into a mighty river. The police are here to serve us, they are our employees. One does not expect for a person to be taken into custody healthy and strong and by the next morning he is let out a beaten broken corpse. The police is the margin between crime and the common citizen, they cannot themselves commit crimes and not be held accountable. They ought to be above reproach or society fails.

    I greatly sympathize with you all on the passing of your love one. May his soul R.I.P.

    • Lawandorder
      August 23, 2014

      I hope you contribute towards the burial expenses.

  25. August 15, 2014

    de tout cœur avec vous je suis en France mes je pense a voue la bas est je vous soutien

  26. Anonymous
    August 15, 2014

    I stand in solidarity with the family. When will the vigil in Portsmouth be held?

  27. ASEF
    August 15, 2014

    Grell, Skerritt did not kill Joshua. Anger makes individuals uncontrollable. The laws just has to be reviewed. Past Governments should have seen it fit to revised the judicial laws. We Dominicans has to pray unceasingly for the best. Please don’t get angry with me. May God Bless.

    • HIM
      August 15, 2014

      @ASEF Past government my foot. What about the one that has been in power for 15 years.? Is it just responsible fro making people like you beggars?

  28. grell
    August 15, 2014

    Shame on the labour party in DOMINICA,Shame on ROOSEVELT Skerrit.SHAME ON THE JUSTICE SYSTEM IN DOMINICA,GOD WILL PUT HIS HAND ONM YOU ALL SHORTLY.To the family my prayers are with you.Please my people going to the vigil be peaceful,god will guide you all the right way.

    • Blessup
      August 16, 2014

      You are a ridiculous FOOOOOl

  29. Lougaoo Mem
    August 15, 2014

    I am in solidarity with the family of Joshua Etienne. The candlelight vigil is a good thing. But also, what is better is a massive peaceful demonstration by all loving abiding citizens, Laborites, UWPites and Freedomites of the land to send a clear message to the authorities that POLICE BRUTALITY is unacceptable. Today is Joshua, tomorrow will be who’s next? Just ask the citizens of Furguson Misouri who experienced an unarmed teenager killed by the police. The people are demonstrating. Are you ready Dominicans?

    • icepop
      August 15, 2014

      Forget politics – instead of freedom. labour and uwp let the churches, the civil groups and human rights groups lead – everytime politicians get involved they screw up things and most times they are the ones that create the mess in the first place! I say keep them out of this one.

    • concerned citizen
      August 15, 2014

      I agree to that…There should be a peaceful demonstration indeed…we need to stand in solidarity against injustice too many times we see injustice prevail our Police force needs to operate with more integrity!!!!!

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