Mellanson Harris, who was convicted of the brutal murders of four tourists aboard the Challenger yacht in Barbuda in 1994, has been released from prison. He was released after serving a 30-year sentence.
Alongside his accomplice Marvin Joseph, Harris was originally given the death penalty for the shocking killings that deeply impacted the nation and endangered its vital tourism industry.
The murders were the result of a planned robbery that tragically went awry.
The case took a significant turn when a court ruled the death penalty unconstitutional, leading to the commutation of both Harris’ and Joseph’s sentences. In 2016, they were re-sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of early release.
Now, after three decades of incarceration, Harris has been set free. His release has sparked a range of emotions among locals and has prompted questions about the justice system’s handling of such grave crimes.
Meanwhile, Harris’ co-accused, Marvin Joseph, remains in prison. The reasons for the difference in their releases are unclear, leading to demands for transparency from local advocacy groups.
The 1994 Challenger yacht murders continue to stand as one of the most notorious crimes in the Caribbean nation’s history. Four tourists lost their lives during what was meant to be a peaceful sailing vacation.
Only a Jacka would agree with Ibo France.Read his comment slowly digest it and you will see,he is playing politics.He does so with serious matters that have nothing to do with politics,luring the unsuspecting idiots to support him.Read paragraph 2 of his comment.He does not say the COURT ruled the death penalty unconstitutional,he says it is corrupt government.He says in 2016 they were re-sentensed by corrupt government and not the court.Another BLESSINGS,Blessings say the DCFH is a cemetery,when you go there you go there to die,Yet when he feel he was dying,he went to the DCFH he spent 1 month and come out alive.
Miracles still happen. How many people have died in that place seeking medical attention for minor illnesses? Too many!
The Dominica main.hospital should be renamed PNR ( The Place of No Return). Even Putin agrees with me I’m sure.
Human memory is short.
Violent offenders tend to reoffend.
Only one person in human history has escaped the prison of the grave.
This is why the death penalty is an essential part of a justice system. Without it, it is merely becomes a legal system.
Completely agreed with @Ibo France.
When these men did what they did, they left the Human kingdom to join the Animal one.
We put down animals for much less that this and as they became Animals they should have been put down.
murder most foul it was. They tied the tourist hands, gagged their mouths and shot them in their heads. A total and disastrous travesty of justice to allow such fiends freedom. look at the glee on his face.
that photo was 30 years ago when he was going to court.
The justice systems throughout the Caribbean region is mostly dysfunctional and dispense injustice to victims and their families. Meanwhile, corrupt governments in the Caribbean easily manipulate the courts to get specific outcomes in their favour.
The heinous murders of these four innocent visitors should have landed this ‘beast – like creature in prison with no chance of ever getting out. Preferably though, he should have had an appointment with the hangman noose.
I’m not an ardent advocate of the death penalty only in grisly cases such as this one.