Niam Alexander St. Rose, a 19-year-old of Loubiere has been denied bail following a charge of murder preferred against him by the police in connection with the death of his girlfriend’s 18-month-old child. According to the charge of the police, it alleged that on January 12, 2023, at Fond Cole, St. Rose did murder Yolana A’marah Julie St. Jean. The accused man who appeared before Magistrate Michael Laudat was not required to enter a plea since murder is an indictable offense expected to be tried before a Judge and jury.
Inspector of of Police Fixton Henderson earlier reported that the Commonwealth of Dominica Police Force (CDPF) was investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of the 18-month-old toddler of Wotten Waven who resided at Fond Cole.
He stated that on Friday, January 12, 2024 at about 4:25 pm, the toddler was transported to the Accident and Emergency Department of the Dominica-China Friendship Hospital (DCFH) in an unresponsive state.
“She was examined and pronounced dead that same evening by a medical doctor,” he said.
“Two persons have been taken into police custody in relation to the death of the 18-month-old.”
Sources indicate that physical abuse may have been the cause of death of the toddler.
At the hearing, St. Rose who was unrepresented put forward a bail application on his own behalf stating, “I believe I should be granted bail because I am innocent.”
However, police prosecutor Inspector Laville objected to bail pursuant to section 7 and 7(2)(e) of the bail. Upon delivering his decision, presiding Magistrate Laudat stated that the court was not satisfied that appropriate circumstances existed to grant bail to the accused.
He emphasized the gravity of the situation and the responsibility of the Court to consider broader societal implications. Laudat further underscored the provisions of the new bail act, highlighting that bail is entirely within the discretion of the Court, subject to the prerequisite of a just cause. In light of the increasing prevalence of crime-related offenses, Magistrate Laudat expressed deep concern for public safety. He reiterated that the Court must not operate in a vacuum but must be attuned to the prevailing circumstances. The Magistrate took note of the collective plea from the public, urging the Court to take decisive action against the surge in criminal activities.
Granting bail in this case, given the nature of the charge and the prevailing circumstances, would not align with the broader public interest declared Magistrate Laudat.
“There is too much violence, and it is not in the public interest to grant you bail,” he averred.
As a result, he concluded that the accused, Niam Alexander St. Rose, would be remanded in custody, at the Dominica State Prison pending further legal proceedings but the defendant was free to apply to the High Court for bail.
The matter was adjourned to July 8, 2024, for the start of the Preliminarily Inquiry to determine if there is sufficient evidence to have the matter tried at the High Court.
Kenny,two(2) persons were taken into custody for questioning in the death of the baby.St.Rose was charged with the death and arrested.He was taken to court and was not bailed.St.Rose will return to court where the PI(preliminary inquiry) will start.At the PI which will be held at the magistrate court,if there is evidence a date will be set for trial at the high court,Did murder is the charge read to St.Rose at the magistrate court.July 8 2024 is the date St.Rose has to return to the magistrate court whether or not he is on bail or not.SIMPLE.
What is happening in Dominica nou? Have demonic forces taken over our country since the church handed our country to Skerrit and supports him in his known ungodly and corrupt practices? I never thought this kind of news would be coming from my beloved country. A 19 year old accused of murdering an 18 month old child? My God what’s happening? Has Dominica really become the criminal country under the watch of Roosevelt Skerrit as PM? At 19 this young man wasn’t even born when Skerrit became pm , after the strange deaths of Rosie and Pierro. Now all we hearing is crime here and there as the country cries broke. I don’t know any island in the region that doesn’t do anything for our young people except Dominica. Instead Skerrit destroyed agriculture, sports, Ross University and all what we earned a dollar from when I was a teenager. Besides Chinese taking over the country while our young people have turned to ganja, alcohol and sewo, legalized by their government as a trap to destroy…
Skerrit that making you write that BS comment you are writing too?
He is not ready to be a father to young for that Maby doesn’t even have a job. But is sure ready to be a gang member.
I find your article to be filled with contractions. At first you say “did murder” then you say “the accused” then you further say that “Two persons have been taken into police custody in relation to the death..”
then you also mention “The matter was adjourned to July 8, 2024, for the start of the Preliminarily Inquiry to determine if there is sufficient evidence to have the matter tried at the High Court.” I find there to be too many uncertainties in this article that follows your thesis.
This is exactly how the police report these matters. It just goes to say that these “odd” words and phrases need to be a thing of the past.
I too am always puzzled by the person being charged and then the preliminary inquiry to determine the sufficiency of evidence for a trial. I guess if there is no evidence the charges will be dropped. And then too there is the part that the person cannot be detained beyond seventy-two or so hours without being charged.
ADMIN, this is a good opportunity for the police and/ or legal persons to educate us
Hello, where is Dominica located? “Down there close to helll”.
The murderers and career criminals are becoming younger and younger, not only in Dominica but throughout the Caribbean region. These youthful criminals are filled with uncommon rage. Why?
The murder rates are ridiculously and consistently high in Jamaica, T&T, The Bahamas, Guyana, Belize. Carjackings, high day robberies and disappearances are routine in Antigua. St. Vincent and St. Luca are beleaguered with crimes. Even tranquil Anguilla has had its share.
CARICOM should put crime as its top priority to solve. Nothing matters more than the safety and security of the people within its borders. Everything else is secondary.
How old is the mother?.
A 19yr old boy is not a responsible young man. very few are, it’s hard to believe that persons are so heartless. He is a jealous boy. He will face the consequences.
Stop it! “A 19yr old boy is not a responsible young man”… If not, then why do we refer to them as adults at 18 years old? We allow them to join the police force and army where they carry guns, they go to war and die, they are allowed to marry without their parents’ consent just to name a few. So, saying he is not responsible at 19 is total BS. Hang him I say if found guilty! Too much monkey see, monkey do business in Dca. We have allowed baby Sarah’ killer to go free but I say hell no to this one. Enough is enough!
Dominica is presently high in poverty, corruption, political divisiveness, lies. As a consequence, crime will automatically escalate.
A country gets the crime rate it deserves. When employment is high, poverty is low, national resources are shared equitably, the government is transparent and accounts for its actions, inclusiveness is widely practised, the crime rate will be negligible. Conversely, the opposite will obtain when the aforementioned are absent.
Dominica is in deep economic, social and moral crisis. Decadence is prevalent in every sphere of life in the country. Time for something new!
You sound so ridiculous and stupid. So pathetic. You are a waste of time with all this nonsense you keep writing and having people support your garbage. You are hiding somewhere out there that nobody knows where and keep spewing filth on DNO. Your commentaries are very pathetic and defines how foolish you are.
Is Dominica galloping towards the abyss into an unlivable state? This eighteen month old baby couldn’t even hurt a fly.
I hope this case does not take the usual six or seven year before a verdict. I am not a proponent of capital punishment but a bizarre and unparalleled evil cases like this one, the murderer deserves nothing less than the hangman noose. This is truly an unspeakable crime.
my pardner, if you not ready to be a father keep your deek in your pants…
But, the child was not his own.
This story is heartbreaking to say the least
And that should apply to every man and boy in Dominica, including yourself. If the Black Race is cursed; then this is the curse. Indiscriminate sex, sex out of wedlock, sex with the lower animals, and trees. Uncontrolled degrading behavior which is worse than that of beast. Animals are more careful and protective of their young than “human beings.” If this guy is guilty, and found guilty in court he must be put away for life. Modern Society must be blamed for all these animalistic people. Dirty songs are the most popular ones to society. Nudity in public is the vogue. A woman no longer covers her breasts, alcohol is consumed by minors, every other word from the mouth of our people is “your modah this your modah that.” There’s no correction in the home, and no consequence or punishment from the court. So the curse recycles itself. It never goes away. I myself my be an innocent victim of such a curse.
Reading comprehension: the headline clearly states that it was his girlfriend’s 18 month old child. It would be interesting to know the age of the girlfriend.