A police officer charged with possession of cocaine and theft of ammunition has retained new legal counsel and is expected to seek bail before the Magistrate’s Court in St. Joseph on Thursday.
Anthony Francis Jr., of Antrizle and residing in Eggleston, faces charges of possession of 218 grams of cocaine and theft of assorted ammunition, including five shotgun rounds, 7.5 mm, and 5.56 mm cartridges. The ammunition is alleged to be property of the Commonwealth of Dominica Police Force.
Francis, who was previously represented by attorney Tiyani Behanzin, changed his plea to not guilty when he appeared before the court on Monday. He has since retained attorney Joshua Francis, who confirmed plans to file a fresh bail application.
“So, the matter is coming up tomorrow at 9 o’clock, St. Joseph, before the Chief Magistrate,” Francis told Dominica News Online (DNO). “The issue that will be dealt with — I’m going to make a new bail application, because the previous attorney, Mr. Tiyani Behanzin, made a bail application before Mr. Laudat, but the whole matter got convoluted over arguments, and Mr. Laudat eventually recused himself. So I’m going to start fresh.”
At Monday’s hearing before Magistrate Michael Laudat, Mr. Behanzin declined to respond to the prosecution’s submission, citing issues with accessing the E-litigation portal. Following Magistrate Laudat’s recusal, the case was adjourned to 11 September to be heard by Chief Magistrate Candia Carrette-George.
Francis remains remanded at the state prison pending the outcome of the bail hearing.
He should not be given any preferential treatment. He needs to be treated as the CRIMINAL that he is. At a matter of fact, he should be made an example of to prevent other young officers from doing likewise. He needs to be GIVEN THE FULL FORCE OF THE LAW, because he knows better.
I have always referred to this CDPF as a failed institution. Those who were in denial are simply hibernating.
Can a Parl-Rep police force do anything resembling professional work?
And as for the top leadership? OMG! The worse Dominica has ever had.
MEME
Boy you really dunce.So when Corbette walk the streets of Roseau once a week,that will prevent police from Stealing cocaine and ammunition?If the police if found guilty the court should jail him.A chief of police walking round the city meeting people one on one,to tell them what?Never read more foolishness.
You of all people calling someone dunce. What does that make you, duncest?
The Police Force in Dominica is as good as the men and women it is comprised of. You cannot make good, toothsome cookies from spoilt milk.
To whom.much is given much is expected. The police are there to serve and protect the life, limp and property of the public. For you to fall.afoul of the law, you should be severe!y punished. I hope this will be a deterrent to other potentially rogue cops.
Guilty or not that whole saga is not good for the CDPF.
The only positive is that it appears like they are capable of policing their own officers and brining some of the bad eggs to justice. But we need ALL bad eggs purged regardless of family political affiliation.
Again, Chief Corbette may have his ways and we all know he is NOT a friendly guy but the man is trying to do with the hands that he is dealt. Yes his guys messed up on the Zone Rouge bench saga but the question still remain; under what section of law was the police authorized to take the benches? Its not like they were exhibits in a pending matter. So to him I say, continue to push forward and others will follow. In a short time frame you have achieved more than Carbon and Valarie put together. You need to walk Roseau once a week and meet the people personally bro.
I would really like to meet the Chief. To ask him why John Public can be brought to face the law, but a certain Ma Leek Skeh Writ cannot be brought to answer question re my padna Car Knot Dress.
And why is it that the law seems only to be for the Ma Lay Way (in my brakes voice).