There were two guilty pleas when the Criminal Session of the High Court opened its sitting at the Bay Front in Roseau on April 12, 2016.
Samoza John pleaded guilty to indecently assaulting an eight-year-old girl back in December 2010.
He is represented by attorney-at-law Geoffrey Letang and will be sentenced on April 29, 2016 when the facts of the case will be read. The court has also ordered a social inquiry report for him.
Croy Timothy also pleaded guilty to unlawful sexual intercourse with a 15-year-old girl between August 1 -31, 2014.
He will also be sentenced on April 29, 2016.
The State, because of his guilty plea, withdrew three charges they had filed against him for indecent assault.
Both Timothy and John were placed in custody until sentencing.
Two women also appeared for wounding offences and pleaded not guilty.
Michelle Jno Charles was charged for causing grievous bodily harm and wounding. Her matter has been set for trial on June 20, 2016.
Nadia Bruno has been charged with unlawful wounding and causing grievous bodily harm with intent. That incident took place in Goodwill on June 6, 2011. A date has not been set for her trial.
There are seven murders on the Cause list which is dominated by sexual offences.
It is a shame that so much time is lost between the commission of some serious crimes and the day when the offenders face the judge in court.
This allows opportunities for witness tampering and bribing to take place.
Witnesses often forget the facts and stories change.
Witnesses sometimes move away and are lost track of. It is difficult to re-enact a crime scene when the people cannot be located.
A famous Hebrew king said to be the wisest man who ever lived wrote 1,000 years ago:
”Because judgment against an evil deed is not executed speedily the hearts of the sons of men are fully set in them to do evil. ” (Solomon in the Book of Ecclesiastes)
Sexual assault is a serious offence. It is even worse when it is against a child. This is a problem that has been called an ”epidemic” in Dominica. We hope the judge will make an example of those who are convicted of this terrible crime by giving them the maximum sentence.
Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill…
That should be
“A famous Hebrew king said to be the wisest man who ever lived wrote 3,000 years ago…” not 1,000 years ago.
Sincerely, Rev. Don Hill.
the whole world is in a mess, this is the end of time because to many things are happening.
” Samoza John pleaded guilty to indecently assaulting an eight-year-old girl back in December 2010.”
Why is it taking so long to have this heard? These running free on the island for so long, wonder what other crimes they committed? The justice system in Dominica really stinks.
All this, and then they end up getting their fingers rapped!
I know of course this is not what happens in Dominica. But in Canada the defence sometimes says:
”It is my client’s first offence, you’re honor.”
”My client is genuinely remorseful, you’re honor.”
Beginning with less than the maximum the judge says, ”…with credit for time served…”
Then part way through that it is reduced for good behavior.
Many child sex abusers re-offend. Unfortunately those who are abused often develop personal problems later in life. This is why professional counselling should be mandatory for both the offender and the victim.
Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill. Evangelist.
Women, why did you not control your anger? You could have committed a murder. You will have to bear the consequences. I hope you will be rehabilitated.
Shame on you men. Were you that desperate that you had to commit this offense against minors? Control your animal desires. Sentencing and then rehabilitation would also be appropriate for you.
Unless these indictments were recent , a year or so ,It is difficult to comprehend the huge time span between the case being heard and when the crime was committed That would not e justice !
now we are having a new Dominica what it use to be ,be strong and face up to it, you were saying the children grow up so fast and look older than their age. Your questions are being answered with the bad apples getting caught, so something positive is taking place. Just feel glad they are getting caught and be there for the children and counsel them, reassure them. tell them it was not their fault.
Why is justice so late???
Why does a matter take 5 years and more before it is heard?
This is unfair on everyone, including the accused…
What is the Law Association doing? Who is applying pressure on the Prosecutor’s Office.
DNO can you kindly do an investigative piece on this serious injustice that is metted out to accused persons, victims and all the families involved?????
Dominica has been crying for 16 long years…So many young lives are being destroyed by evil men dressed up in jacket and tie who LIE,CHEAT and STEAL!
The poor will plead guilty while two very high top ranking men are doing all they can to prevent charges from being read to them , while Skerrit and his gang are on radio playing their stupid politics. Skerrit has already destroyed Dominica and by the time he makes his US exit, all that will be left is DUMMIES
This is the beginning of the end of time….
stop crynng on DA lets keep hope alive
And the big fishes will get away
Hay DNO, is there something unlawful in mentioning the age of the defendant/convict. Presenting the ages of the persons involved would certainly add a prospective to the story.
As I see it, the case of persons involved being 15 and 19 is much different than a case of the persons involved being 15 and 30 or 45. Sure, in both cases the law has been broken and the court will have to act. However, as someone interested in the pathology of inappropriate sexual behavior in our society, age distinction is meaningful. If it costs nothing to include the ages of both persons involved I would request that you do so in future stories.
That’s exactly what I was thinking, because if the defendant in the 15 year old case is who I think it is, he is pretty young. I am not condoning any crime, however, when you have old hardback , professional, government personnel performing these crimes and this deafening silence is maintained, we have to wonder about the state off our country.
Not enough is done to protect younger victims nor to see that they receive counselling.
Also there is a tendency to cover for well off adult offenders who are able to fight back.
These are reasons for keeping the identities of certain younger victims and some adult offenders out of the news. It is totally self serving. Some working in the “system” are protecting themselves from retaliation, and hiding the fact that they are not doing their best for the victims.
The system needs to become more victim oriented. Arrest the criminals. But remember there are victims
who have been hurt and may bear the scares for a lifetime if they don’t get the TLC they need.
Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill. Evangelist.
Dominica is finished!
Far from it!
Dominica is experiencing what other countries are experiencing. The Law must be rigid in sentencing them.