Cara Shillingford, lawyer for appellants Antoine Defoe, Mervin John Baptiste and Edingcot St. Valle in the famous 2014 election treating case, has hailed a victory at the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court of Appeal (ECSC)as “a victory for the people of Dominica.”
The Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (ECSC) upheld the appeal against the decision of High Court judge Bernie Stephenson to quash criminal complaints of treating which were filed against members of the Dominica Labour Party (DLP) after the 2014 general elections.
“In my opinion, this judgment is a victory for the people of the Commonwealth of Dominica insofar as it underscores the principle that ‘no one is above the law’. When charged with criminal complaints, ordinary Dominicans must attend court to answer their case,” Shillingford stated. “It would be unjust, illogical, and unacceptable for elected politicians to disregard court summons with impunity. I am, therefore, very happy with the court’s decision and believe that it will advance the causes of democracy, equality, and justice in the Commonwealth of Dominica.”
But lead counsel for the applicants, Anthony Astaphan SC, expressed “surprise and disappointment” at the decision.
“I have to tell you that I am extremely surprised at the judgment…but I haven’t yet read it. But my initial reaction to the Prime Minister is that we must expedite an appeal to the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) as soon as possible because there was a dissenting judgment from Madame Justice Blenman,” Astaphan said. “I am firmly of the view, even though I have not read it yet, that the majority is very, very likely wrong and needs to be subject to a review by the highest court of our land.”
He continued, “So we are going to have to prepare the application for the leave for the appeal to be filed and we will also ask for a stay of proceedings and will ask the CCJ to expedite the hearing…It is unfortunate that we have had to deal with this, but that’s the system of the rule of law that we have. You win some and you lose some but when you lose you have to focus on hearing the matter heard.”
Astaphan is optimistic about success at the CCJ.
“I think our appeal will have considerable merit considering there was one dissenting judgment by the most senior member of the court. I am disappointed and very surprised but at the same time that’s our system of justice and so we are going to the CCJ to see if my surprise and disappointment will be vindicated,” he stated.
The full judgement is posted today.
Astaphan once again you are very close to a very slippery slope. You ought to be careful, infact you ought to be very careful… Things have gone your way for a long time courtesy of that corrupt PM.
So there is nothing wrong with the JUSTICE SYSTEM now because it satisfies the UWP and its supporters.
Kid on the block you should add ‘ whereas there is nothing wrong with the court system whenever in goes in favor of the UWP , which by the way is is seldom, however there should be total disappointment and hurt when the almighty Tony Astaphan does not get his way in court. In other words Tony should always win regardless of what the law says…. Kid on the block go bury your head in the sand – hypocrite
Partner when the Justice System is wrong we can all see is at midnight in pitch dark. Remember when the Judge said Skerrit does not have to show his alleged french passport its up to the other side to prove he is a frenchman? SMMFH! That was and still remain highway robbery in my opinion. That’s a ruling many judges and magistrates in the region still cant comprehend even today.
My question to the judge was: How can one (the complainant) show what they don’t have and the person who has it, beyond any doubt and can show it is being told by YOU (the said Judge) not to show it?
Remember that?
This is what empowered Skerrit to the point that today he believes he is invincible. But as I always remind Dcans, the god I serve is not a Dcan Deputy Police Commissioner and neither is he a KID ON THE BLOCK. So be careful my friend. BUJU and the likes SHALL win this battle sooner rather than later…..tick tock, tick tock!
CCJ…what a joke…we all know where this is going…we all know why the were made the highest court…i guess its time to pay the piper
What Victory for the people this woman is talking about woman go to hell Labour won the election fair and square Workers scroungers and their arrogant leader always moaning that is what losers always do when they F**k their lives up is to blame someone else.
Silver Fox all what you have said in your three line is not going to change the fact that it is a victory for the young attorney!.
@Anon
You, the supporters of the most corrupt and backward government in the history of the sub-Caribbean region, seem to be so easily satisfied with so little and misled by diseased, pathological liars. Think what you may about the court’s decision, it’s a huge victory for all law abiding, right thinking Dominicans. Nothing that the hateful Arab says can change that fact. Facts are very stubborn things. Only indolent, shameless morons, with an insatiable appetite for greed, will lend support to this nakedly corrupt ‘junta’.
Why don’t you stop your nonsense, about facts are stubborn things, you are such a joker, you know nothing about facts. You should be the last person to utter such words regarding facts. Your true colors are showing, who you really are, an unsavory political operative. Why would you call someone who was born in Dominica a hateful Arab, Wow, is this what partisan politics has done to you.
UWP supporters and Miss Cara Shillingford, this is not the final decision, the matter is going to be heard by the CCJ. It is the CCJ that will deliver the final decision. I guess if the CCJ rules against the UWP it will be CCJ bashing time.
You see, it’s these little yard fowls like the so called silver fox who Domimica in that quagmire its in.
These guys have no compression, no understanding, all they are concerned about is getting their little grain of corn that’s being thrown on the ground for them
Common dude,elevate yourself, broaden your horizon, get a job,be a productive citizen. Pretty soon we will need guys to farm the land, sign up for that. Do something for your country.
Anon, you are as foolish as Astaphans and corrupt as the Government. Imagine the cry of that idiot, saying,” even though I have not read it, I am of the view that the majority is very, very wrong” what a cu..! As if COVID has not thought us, money cannot buy power, as if we the people of this great Land are fools. you guy will always remain poor while people like you kiss their behinds. Do you think he cares about fools like you? if he did, why did ask him when was the last time their company got Audited. My heart bleeds for low minded, begging fools like you “ANON”
Thank you Cara Shillingford. You are a champion. The walls are falling down on these Jezebels in office.
I’m convinced more than ever before that Dominica Is a fully fledged dictatorship and a military state. Every influential and strategic positions in the public service are occupied by putty-like diehards of Skerrit. Dictatorship thrives when influential persons remain indifferent to gross violations of civil rights by the state. Dictatorship flourishes when the public remains thunderously silent and apathetic after witnessing many of their fellow citizens being harassed, abused and battered by a lawless government. Skerrit has severely vandalized the office of the prime minister, flouted the laws of the country and corrupted and permanently damaged all the once revered public institutions such as the Police Force, the Judicial System, Electoral Office, etcetera. Widespread suffering, poverty, thievery, victimization, persecution, nepotism, cronyism will be Skerrit’s dubious legacy. God does not like ugly.
Continue Cara to fight the good fight.
To Cara Shillingford, please be advised to tell those cult followers of that so-called Workers clowns party, that singing 🎶 and dancing drinking Rum making jacka**es of themselves in Roseau, the court battle is far from over yet some people is going to pay lots of money to the court and lawyers l can assure you it will not be Mr Skerrit government. Who dance last, Dance the best. Rejoice and Celebrate paint yourselves in gold but tomorrow you lots will turned into a piller of salt.
But Man Dag!
You said that you are a human dog eh!
How can you have the nerve to talk about people drinking rum; just before the election we saw Labor Party went to the four connors of the Island, literally buying every bottle of run, from any and all rum-shop on the island, and giving the rum away; to drunken labor party supporters.
Let me tell you how your corrupted Roosevelt did it; and they all been doing it for years.
They go to the little rum shops selling nasty white rum to people, along with salt fish, pig mouth and what have!
The culprits Roosevelt sends out usually asks the owners how much money they would have made if they sold everything.
The corrupted owners states a value; any amount they claim; the labor party pays them the amount and tells them to give the rum free to the ignorant drunks keeping them inebriated until election day.
Shut up you are nothing than a nasty rum drinker Dog, always inebriated!
Hahahahahaahahah!
@Francisco, All you good at is telling lies you are a master fabricator of lies, I am not willing to banter with you go away you full of crap. I am younger than you, better looking than you having said that anything is better looking than you are, I also have a good looking wife and children homes in London and Dominica, look after yourself before Covid-19 find you or the police will.
I don’t think any woman want a can’t read, can’t can’t spell man dog eh!Any woman who sleep in the same bed with a dog must rise flee.
Guy I have Children; I have grandchildren, and; you talking about having house in England, haven’t you heard that I am in the Real Estate Business in Los Angeles.
Guy, one of my residence purchased in November, last year, is 3,000 square feet five bedrooms two stories; I don’t want any house in Dominica, but if you go to Wesley right this minute, you will find I have a house under construction build for my 85 year old sister.
I sent the last of the money home via Antigua this morning to complete the project.
When I left the Bank, I went to a Mercedes dealership, and paid cash in the amount of $102,000.00 dollars for a Model C63 V-8 Turbo charge Sun-roof Sedan, whit with Black interior.You don’t have anything over me I’m not a thief eh!
You and people like Roosevelt walk and look over your shoulders to see if the long arm of the law; the police is about to grab you, you all are ready to run!
On the other hand I can look the entire world in its face for I borrow, beg, nor steal (thief) nothing out of Dominica treasury, or from any kickback for public work done in Dominica.
Nor do I have to depend on the sale of Dominica passports to thief the money, and boast I am the richest prime minister in the Caribbean.
You wish COVID-19 to kill me; careful what you wish on me cause it will bite you; whereas the virus has killed young children, and adults, there are people more than a hundred (100) years old who got it and survived.
So, watch your mouth now!
I know a certain Dominica thief, although I have nothing good to say about him except all bad, I would not even want him get COVID-19
Any you think what you write is debatable? you’re lucky I’m not the one running this page, because idiotic comments such as yours would never see the light of day.wait sill… hold on. just one little win and you all ready to drop? the world knows about our corruption. Is that the reason he dropped Dominica into the CCJ without even a chance to decide? Go, Man, them Lawyers are awaiting you guys.
DNO when writing cases from the court, especially on such important judgements, can we get a little more detail. Specifically, we want to know on what points of law did the court makes its ruling. That is what I am looking to read. Your story hasnt answered the WHY in the 4 W’s
ADMIN: Thank you that’s a fair point. We will be updating the story with the full judgement as soon as we have it.
or informed can be further informed if he just pays 5 dollars at the registry for the full or entire judgement.
A prolonged presence of figures of authority in the community breeds familiarity and diminishing respect. That is why our previous colonial masters practiced
a policy of rotation. This is healthy for an administration to stay fresh and sharp. Judge Stevenson-Brooks has resided and held forth in the small territory of Dominica since 2009 and I would submit that she is overdue for a new posting, if not retirement. This not only for the good of local public service but also for her own benefit.
“So we are going to have to prepare the application for the leave for the appeal to be filed and we will also ask for a stay of proceedings and will ask the CCJ to expedite the hearing..”
People it is clear that we are not going to save our country by the ballots as Skerrit has the money to by our elections as he’s been doing for 15 yrs. Tony’s statement confirms that he seems to own the CCJ and our local justice system so we are not going to deliver our country through the justice system. Jesus told us in Matthew 11:24 some things Must be taken. Today May 29 is 41 yrs since we took power from PJ and it’s clear that we MUST to do it again! Let’s be motivated by the protest we see on CNN, where people of every race, religion and political affiliation, are coming together to protest against the killing of George Floyd. No we don’t have to burn down Roseau but starting today we should flood the streets of Roseau with our masks on to tell Skerrit, Tony and others it’s time to get…
Who does this FAILED ATTORNEY call the people.The people is the 23,421 votes DLP got in 2014,and,the 23,643 they got in 2019 THAT IS THE PEOPLE.Not a bunch of LAZY UWP supporters.Let’s wait for the CCJ then you will CHANGE YOUR TONE.Just as you did in the Salisbury matter.We will FIGHT all the way.St.Valle,Mervin and Defor be prepared.
Lin Clown are you saying the voters who voted UWP are not to be consider as people? But then again that is your caliber lead by SC, always to denigrate people. We need a more modern electoral system that reflects the wishes and will of the people- using your own example if a party wins 23K votes against another party winning 18k voters , in a parliamentary representative system which allocates 21 seats, the party winning 23K votes ends up with 18 seats while the one winning 18K votes gets 3 seats- in your educated mind can you really and truly conclude that’s a reflection of the will of the people?? take Grenada as another example the party in power won approximately 26K votes while the opposition won 21K votes – the government in power won all the seats.- is this in your mind a true reflection of the will of the people? See the more educated we say we are ,the more foolish we seem to sound.. We need electoral reform that truly reflects the WILL of the people.
One way or another you should not call yourself the people. You should be sanctioned and as such locked away in a mental institution. People like you shouldn’t be allowed to vote anymore, let alone cast 4 or five votes under the guise of a dead person. Fair elections…???
TO CARA WITH MUCH LOVE AND APPRECIATION
To come up against deep pockets, huge influence, demonical wickedness and win is NOT an easy undertaking. Attorney at law, Cara Shillingford, should be held in very high esteem. Congratulation Brave Warrior! The battle is far from over but you have given the down-trodden in Dominica hope of a brighter day. Other local lawyers, the timid ‘journalists’, and people of influence, should muster the courage just like Cara and rid the country of this dark, wicked and evil rogue regime.
Thank You, Cara‼
Boy, look a damn arse, that senior clowson (sc); everything must go his way.
FRANCISCO,Tony is right and MUST win at the CCJ.Judge BLENHAM and the HIGH COURT is right.Here are some facts
DLP. UWP
1990.7,860 8,979
1995.11,064 12,777
2000.15,360 15,428
2005.19,656. 16,569
2009.22,235. 12,660
2014.23,421. 17,587
2019.23,643 16,424.
You will have noticed the DLP has been making STEADY PROGRESS,while UWP is FLIP-FLOPPING.Look at the difference between 1995,when UWP won and 2000.DLP do NOT have to BRIBE or influence anybody to WIN elections in Dominica.UWP are a bunch of CORRUPT LIARS.ALJAZEERA caught LINTON red handed,still denying the MOU was for FINANCING UWP CAMPAIGN.LINTON denied knowing TERRY BARON,when he was red handed he ACCUSED the POLICE for conspiring to FRAME HIM.Food,money or plane tickets,DLP will NEVER lose elections in Dominica.We Labourites gave DFP a chance in 1980,1985 and 1990.We are back and voting LABOUR all the WAY.UWP is corrupt, incompetent and LAZY.
Lin Clown there are columns missing in your analysis; one such column should reflect campaign spending/expenses against each election cycle by both parties and on what activities. So for example it is alleged that for the past two elections 2014 and 2019 DLP spent 30 million and 70 million respectively in comparison to the UWP 7 million and 5 million. Against these spending the courts may well be interested in knowing what are the areas in which these monies were spent. Trust me it is very likely that based on the evidence the court in its analysis may WELL discover that in fact treating and bribery may be a main factor for the steady increase in votes in favor of the DLP you speak about and only Clown would not be nervous about that possibility. The other issues you raise will be very irrelevant in that particular case; but trust me soon it will be diarrhea time for you and others when such issues are fully investigated and brought to the courts. Keep on flying your kite !!
Lin Clown a few columns are missing in your analysis just like the reports missing from what you were to produce over the years. One of the columns missing is the one that speaks to campaign financing and the other I suggest is the diaspora votes. Whereas the courts may look at the trend, but so too the court may asked themselves what are the factors influenced that increase. For example, the court may well decide to examine the allegations that in 2014 and 2019 elections the DLP used 30 and 70 million dollars as compared to the UWP’s 7 and 5 million respectively. The interesting question the courts may want to know is on what items, functions were these substantial amounts spent on? and whether it can be ascribed to or constitutes bribery and treating. But only a Clown will not see that, but I don’t blame you Lin Clown. The other issues raised by you are irrelevant to this discussion. suffice it to say when they get a day in court some of you will urinate your pants.
This guy is so smart he advises, consults and offers legal representation to the government solely for his own self interest. When a change in government occurs inevitably he will again switch sides for the same reasons. Elite just wanna stay on top.
I am one of those people who’s brain is not capable of processing garbage!
I am not even going to try and decipher that rubbish, I suspect only you alone know what you wrote since it develop in your very mind.
Such garbage comforts only you and that little rat Roosevelt.
What does a rat do for survival; the last time I scrutinize a rat to see how it survives, I discovered its only means of survival is stealing; it runs through every garbage heap; and thief whatever it can find to eat!
The large rat; as we call them “ratta” the little mouse: six of one; half of a dozen are the other; all are the same; they are thieves.
I never heard any UWP people thief anything!
I am not a thief; you know who is: that damn thief!
Hahahahahahahahahahahahahah
Okay fine, but where is the social distancing? Are we completely free of Covid-19 for this scene to take place?
Is that all you worried about? According to the government we are Covid free, not so.
“Astaphan is optimistic about success at the CCJ.”
My concern is how can Tony be so optimistic that the CCJ will Rule in his and Roosevelt favor, even prior to a filing an appeal petition!
You said yourself that you have not yet read the findings of the courts judgment, even if you are aware that there was one or two dissension; the majority of the judges ruled against you.
Be quiet and take your loss; count this day lost, you will be defeated at the CCJ, unless a phone call has already been made, and a decision is made even without a petition to the court is filed!
In the judgment you will read a statement by a judge, or judges, giving reasons why they do not agree with the decision made by the other judges in the case.
If the ruling is within the law of the land, unless you are looking for a bogus ruling, the original verdict will be upheld!
But of course he optimistic Francisco. Whatever the outcome he gets his fee. All that Skerrit makakerie keep Tony in the money, you capiche.
Yes boy; if is one thing one cannot say about Tony is that he corrupted, the man is smart! Skerrit continuously gets himself into trouble; Tony business is not to prevent that sucker Roosevelt from walking into some pit-hole filled with feces mixed with a pile of trouble.
Nevertheless; Tony is prepared to make money off that boy Punjab; when he gets into trouble.
Accepting pay to defend someone in a court of law is not corrupted, or unethical; unless the lawyer encourages, and advise his client to become involved in situations, after taking bad advise from his/her attorney.
That would be considered legal malpractice, which could cost the lawyer his/her license to practice law.
By the time Roosevelt no longer need a defense attorney, my friend Tony will become a billion dollar man, off an ignorant man whom does not know how to stay out of trouble!
Anyway, money not earned by hard work; what comes light goes light like butter in the sun!
The timing of this ruling is so significant boy.
First it came at a time when thousands are protesting the death of George Floyd a black man who was killed by a white police officer. We see people out there burning down the city and even police precinct, as black, white, men and women protest against injustice.
Secondly, it came at a time when we see people in Hong Kong are protesting against a brutal China government that is trying to force their way into Honk Kong.
Thirdly, the ruling came a day before the 41st anniversary of the Charles Savarin led attack the overthrew the DLP administration of Patrick John on May 29,1979 and for some reason that same Charles Savarin is president of Dominica.
It has been said that God works in mysterious ways. Well this to me is mysterious and therefore we shouldn’t only rejoice and celebrate the court ruling but we should press and go all out to ensure that the justice we have been denied for years we really make it count this time in a big…
My Dominica. Land of my birth. To miss Cara Shillingford. Go forward with the light of God. An attorney par excellence. Great job. The deep wounds of many Dominicans including mine will soon be healed. I have every bit of faith in God that he will free our country from these vindictive, oppressive, lying, dishonest people who try so hard to pass as honorable men and women. My heart bleeds for this nation. Now to the supporters of the labour party and Roosevelt, you all have a heavy price to pay but you know what the sad part of all of this is? Your innocent children and children’s children are also going to suffer because of you all greed and selfishness. Stand still and know that God is indeed God. Dont be fooled by Skerritt seemingly cheating the judicial system. This is all God’s doing. God is giving your leader enough time and also you all to make things right. Just wait and see. God never disappoints. Oh yes. Do not be deceived. He is hearing the cries of every suffering…
” Skerrit Must go”I am reading, the brutal truth. ah, Is that the reason the arrested Loftus ? to mark the Anniversary of the one thing that got our president to where he is. what are the laws again when you have a failed coup? why was Fredrick Newton sentenced to death, and later executed again? hmmm. I have just figured out how to gain respect in my land.
Tony is NOT surprised at the ruling that was the reason for this long delay.
But the state of Dominica reminds me of a story my deceased grandpa shared with us over fifty years ago. He told us of a widow who was lived with her two daughters in a wooden house and she was bed ridden. One of the daughters was smart but the other one was stupid. After the death of their father they worked hard to take care of their mother but as time went by there was a rat in the house that would steal everything they bought. They set traps and stayed up late at nights to see if they wouldn’t catch the rat but no matter how hard they tried they did not succeed. Finally they saw the nest where the rat was hiding and decided to burn the nest to make sure the rat did not escape. Unfortunately in burning the nest they burnt the house and they and their mother all died in the fire. No doubt we know Rat is stealing from us but sadly we have those that ratherdestroy Dominica just to save the big Rat and thief
A thief, a money launderer and deceiver is exposed and now is the time to arrest him and his get him and his gangsters our ‘ by all means necessary’ according to late PM Mary Euginia Charles.
Here is what this victory says to me:
1. It says that others outside of Dominica agree with us that Skerrit stole the 2014 election.
2. It says that if we had gotten the justice we deserved in 2014, Skerrit would not gotten another opportunity to steal the 2019 election even worse than and more blatant than he stole it in 2014
3 Like Alibaba and his forty thieves, the ruling confirms that Skerrit has many key persons in top position to help him steal his way to power
4. It appears to me that High Court judge Bernie Stephenson is conspiring with Roosevelt Skerrit to steal our elections and for the sake of justice she needs to go and go now!
4. It appears to me that Anthony Astaphan is in charge and managed the CCJ and he seems to decide how soon our how long it should take the CCJ to deliver
5. And thieves who get caught must pay back seven times what was stolen and lose everything proverbs 6:31. As a result we should not allow Skerrit and his gang one more day to plan to steal…
We all need answers now. But then again we all demanded answer after the Al Jazeera news regarding the CBI broke. All water of a ducks back as far as Skerrit is concerned. I sometimes wonder if our country can be delivered of the claws of these gangsters.
Tony Astaphans is the one who has benifited the most in this country the past 20 years. Here he goes again with an opportunity to milk the state and skerrit with his dumb insecure self is not wise enough to see that Tony Astaphans has used him to flees the state. If you are doing so much for Dominica why do you have to spend millions on concerts, plane loads, and all kids of shenanigans to win elections? Why not use your record of accomplishment. Skerrit you are nothing but a coward. You are a true hyena disguise as a guard dog at the chicken coup. You are to arrogant and insecure to answer tough questions, lie and pretend you god fearing while you violate the country. All you own is from state resources. Only thieves and cowards would use state resources to gain wealth and in process impoverish the country. People would follow you if you told them they have to work hard and honestly and live by example. Seems like you have vengeance for the country for something from your past.
Dominica is a lawless country the law is for one set
My Dominica. Land of my birth. To miss Cara Shillingford. Go forward with the light of God. An attorney par excellence. Great job. The deep wounds of many Dominicans including mine will soon be healed. I have every bit of faith in God that he will free our country from these vindictive, oppressive, lying, dishonest people who try so hard to pass as honorable men and women. My heart bleeds for this nation. Now to the supporters of the labour party and Roosevelt, you all have a heavy price to pay but you know what the sad part of all of this is? Your innocent children and children’s children are also going to suffer because of you all greed and selfishness. Stand still and know that God is indeed God. Dont be fooled by Skerritt seemingly cheating the judicial system. This is all God’s doing. God is giving your leader enough time and also you all to make things right. Just wait and see. God never disappoints. Oh yes. Do not be deceived. He is hearing the cries of every suffering…