Minister of National Security and Legal Affairs, Rayburn Blackmoore, has struck at the Organization of Commonwealth Caribbean Bar Associations (OCCBA) in an ongoing war of words over statements he made about the granting of bail to double murder-accused, Jonathan Lehrer.
He said the organization should stay in the “demarcations of its lane,” arguing that his statements were legitimate.
“It is highly baffling to the reasonable person, that the Organization of Commonwealth Caribbean Bar Associations, by its admission, is saying, individuals including ministers, have the right to respectfully, responsibly, and peacefully disagree with the decisions of the court, but in the very same statement, is at odds with me, for doing precisely the very same thing,” he wrote in a letter to the president of the OCCBA.
Blackmoore’s response is the latest in what appears to be a back-and-forth which began in late November when the court opened bail for Lehrer. Blackmoore swiftly condemned the move saying the state was “very seriously and it is totally opposed to the granting of bail” to Lehrer.
Soon after that, the Dominica Bar Association (DBA) jumped in saying that it was concerned over the minister’s statement and called on public officials to refrain from questioning the independence of the judiciary.
The DBA was supported by the OCCBA, which, in a lengthy statement this week, expressed concerns describing Blackmoore’s statement as “most unfortunate and disturbing.”
But Blackmoore is not backing down saying he will not engage in a “back-and-forth” with the OCCBA, but pointed out that he was obliged to respond.
“This is indeed very unfortunate and the Organization of Commonwealth Caribbean Bar Associations ought not to be issuing such a frivolous statement in response to a legitimate statement, which I have made,” he wrote in his letter.
He stressed that his statement was in keeping with preserving national security and public interest.
“Again, let me reaffirm, that my statement was legitimate and in keeping with preserving national security and public interest,” he said. “I, therefore, respectfully submit to the Organization of Commonwealth Caribbean Bar Associations to stay within the demarcations of its lane.”
The National Security Minister said there are matters affecting the region that the OCCBA and other organizations should address, but have remained silent.
“Finally, I strongly believe that there are several other very profound matters of national security, and public interest organizations in the region should make statements, instead of the very loud silence, on those other matters,” he said.
Lehrer was jointly charged with his accomplice, Robert Snider Jr., on December 6, 2023, for the brutal murder of well-known Canadian businessman Daniel Langlois and his partner, Dominique Marchand.
The couple owned Coulibri Ridge and Eco Resort in the south of Dominica.
The preliminary inquiry of the murders began earlier this week but was adjourned to February 10, 2024.
The full statement from Blackmoore is posted below.
Idiot! Blackmoore, do you know that saying, better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt? My brother the more you respond the more foolish you appear, the more you are making an ass of yourself! You are overreaching right now. Stop trying to appear over and beyond your competence level, you are grossly incompetent! Never hang your hat where your hands cannot reach!
Blackmore is right, its not in the public’s interest to give this guys bail. am sorry.
Blackmoore’s opinion.on.anything for me is null and void. This minister is totally unfit intellectually, morally and ethically for the position he holds. Let’s not forget amount what his former colleague said about him concerning the beatings and Baby Sarah. What stunned me is that Blackmoore did not even tried to clear his name. It gave credence to the saying that silence gives consent.
The courts in the Caribbean do not dispense justice any more. They are corrupt in my honest opinion. However, an outsider like me could openly express that opinion. But someone as a Minister of National Security who works hand in glove with the court, should not cast aspersions to bring the legal system into disrepute. He can cause harm to the entity because of his influential position in government.
Blackmoore is presently having his three minutes of fame and milking it for what it’s worth. He got someone to write these responses. Listen to him talk off the cuff and compare.
Boy……………..dat man might just end up walking out of de court.
if de judge throws out de case for any reason interference like a mistrial for instance………….is it de government intention to try de case again in de name of justice for de victims????
This buffoon and lazy idiot obviously has no work to do. Blackmore did you reply to tete calbas Austrie, a self professed dog, ( rotweiler), when he allegedly accused you of beating up a pregnant lady?
The guy is stupid and mumbles jibberish written for him, like he has hot potato in his stupid mouth. What an embarrassment!!!
DNO when will you do your readers a favour by giving us less of this nincompoop? After all Christmas is a season of giving!