Murder-accused, American-born owner of the Bois Cotlette, Jonathan Lehrer is applying for bail at the High Court in Roseau.
Lehrer who is currently on remand at the Dominica State Prison was jointly charged with his said accomplice Robert Snider Jr. for the murder of Coulibri Ridge Eco-Resort owners Daniel Langlois and his partner Dominique Marchand on December 6, 2023.
His bail application has been adjourned to Monday, April 15, 2024.
The matter is being heard before High Court Judge Colin Williams. The state is reportedly opposing the bail application.
On December 1, 2023, police discovered the charred remains of two individuals in a burnt vehicle at Gallion at about 7:00 a.m., believed to be those of French Canadians Langlois and Marchand, respected proprietors of the highly regarded Coulibri Ridge Eco Resort, who had been reported as missing. The burnt vehicle also aligned with the description of the missing couple, police sources further revealed.
Unfortunately, according to the police, extreme fire conditions rendered the bodies unidentifiable, compelling investigators to rely on circumstantial evidence linking them to the missing couple.
Langlois and Lehrer found themselves embroiled in a heated dispute regarding the use of the Morne Rouge Public Road, a passage that cuts through Bois Cotlette’s 53-acre estate.
The dispute started when Lehrer, the owner of Bois Cotlette Inc, blocked the road by placing boulders, digging a trench, and deploying equipment, impeding Langlois’ access to the Coulibri Ridge property. This interference prompted Langlois to take legal action, citing damages, loss, and tortious interference with their economic interests. They sought a permanent injunction against Lehrer and his company from disrupting their use of the Morne Rouge Public Road.
Legal proceedings commenced with an interim injunction issued on October 30, 2018, by the High Court mandating Lehrer to unblock the road and restore it to its prior condition. Subsequent hearings in November 2018 led to further court orders, including directives involving the Attorney General.
In 2019, High Court Judge Bernie Stephenson, in her ruling, affirmed the road’s public status, granting Langlois’ guests unrestricted access.
Lehrer and Snider are represented by attorneys-at-law Wayne Norde and Lennox Lawrence.
What is the outcome of the bail hearing? We’re waiting.
No sympathy for this devil!
Mahul Chocksi case all over again!! I remember very vividly the kidnapping of Choksi to Dominica in May of 2021, and those evil workers of iniquity turned back and charged him for illegal entry into the country. After a few months of false pretenses and waste of tax payers money, the very corrupt court and judiciary granted him bail in July to allow him to travel to Antigua for treatment of his neurological condition. The rest is history.
Different situation this time as this alleged murderer was an alleged CBI corrupt passport dealer so we know his captain and other officials of the corrupt team will do all they can to help him run away. But since he is a US citizen and he wants to go home for treatment, I personally don’t mind that because I know the US FBI, will want to interview him so they could get more dirt on the Starboy of iniquity, so when they put their hands on him he could be in his foreign mansion forever
Anyone in their position would make a run for it at the first opportunity. I know I would, doubly so if my hands were as dirty as I suspect theirs are.
If he is granted bail, it should be on the condition that he is sent to the Friendship hospital for an accidental lobotomy.
Oh hell NO!
I deny bail on four grounds:
1. Regardless of surety or security used, these guys are a serious flight risk and will run…Period!
2. These guys poses a serious safety risk to the public and good order
3. These guys may become victims of vigilante justice if the people of the area where the crimes were committed get their hands on them.
4. We don not have enough police resource to guard them and their property 24/7 from the people of the area even if the SOS requires it.
If this guy is granted bail, he will find a way to get out of the country. Bail should be denied because he is a flight risk.
Two law-abiding, innocent and outstanding humanitarians’ lives were abruptly shortened in a most senseless and barbaric manner.
Bail should be denied. They, the two suspected murderers, are a huge flight risk as they have no incentive to remain in Dominica. It would be insanity to grant bail.
I guess these two realise, in Dominica, many murder cases are discontinued for want of prosecution. So, they are trying their luck.