Attorney General describes as baseless, lawyer’s claim that Keyan Alexander was unlawfully killed

Behanzin, Peter

Attorney General Levi A. Peter is coming to the defense of the Commonwealth of Dominica Police Force (CDPF) following claims made by the attorney for the family of Keyan Alexander, that his death may be a case of extrajudicial killing.

Speaking to the media late Tuesday afternoon, Tiyani Behanzin, who is representing the family of the deceased man, who it is said, abducted 12-year-old Kernisha Etienne from her home in Warner on Jun 7, 2022, revealed that up to three days after Alexander’s death, the family had not been able to identify his body and were not allowed to be present for his autopsy.

He, therefore, raised suspicion over police reports of how the 33-year-old may have died.

While stressing that the facts and circumstances of the 12-year-old abduction are “deeply saddening and demonstrate the capacity for the wickedness of humankind,”  in response to allegations of questionable police behaviour, Peter noted that what is perhaps less comprehensible is the “feeding frenzy” exhibited by some individuals who he said that one might expect, particularly in a circumstance like this, to act with “reason, rationale, and decorum.”

On the contrary, the AG opined that such individuals “willfully and maliciously engage in totally unwarranted and unhelpful speculation, conspiracy theorizing, and unfounded accusations against the police and others at a time when maximum cooperation and cohesive effort should be the priority of us all.”

He said Behanzin’s statement is disappointing and concerning for a number of reasons, including its “inexcusable misrepresentations and factual legal inaccuracies.”

“It’s uncalled for combative tenor, and it’s poor timing. For present purposes, the most concerning element is the outrageous and baseless, utterly baseless, claim by the attorney entirely without any supporting evidence whatsoever, that the demise of the violent abductor of this child was an extra-judicial killing, in other words, that the abductor had been unlawfully killed,” he continued.

According to Peter, Behanzin also incorrectly claimed that the viewing of the body of the current jury was somehow “unusual, improper `and unlawful.”

However, the AG points out that Section 22 of the Coroner’s Act, chapter 430 of the 2017 revised laws of Dominica, states that “when a sufficient number of jurors have been empanelled, the coroner shall call upon them to view the body.”

“It is clear from this, that there is no obligation for the coroner’s jury to view the body with the family of the deceased person. And it is most certainly not unlawful for the coroner’s jury to view the body without the family being present,” Peter stated.

As regards the attendance of an attorney at an inquest, or post-mortem, which the family’s attorney also named as a concern, the AG pointed out that section 30 of the coroner’s act gives no such right.

“No counsel or solicitor shall be entitled as of right to appear in any proceedings before a Coroner’s Court but the coroner may, if he thinks fit on application, permit such appearance,” Peter explained. “It is therefore clear that any permission granted by the coroner is restricted to appearance before the court and in any event does not extend to attendance at a post-mortem.”

The lawyer called on all who, according to him, have been making false statements, accusations and causing “general mischief” in relation to the circumstances surrounding this matter, to cease and desist from engaging “in such negative behaviour” and instead, lend their full support and assistance to the efforts of finding and returning Etienne to her family.

“Whatever criticisms, accusations, theories can wait and be delivered with equal force and effectiveness in due course, once the primary objective of finding Kernisha has been met,” he said. “Now is no time for grandstanding…let us pool resources and do everything in our collective power to find and return Kenisha to her family.”

Alexander, a resident of Belles, was shot by the police on June 18, 2022, on day 11 of their search for him and the missing child. The police said he was armed with a cutlass which was approximately three feet long.

The police also previously reported that in committing the offence, Alexander went to the home of his uncle, Laurent Joseph Bruno, the adopted father of Etienne, and attacked him with a cutlass inflicting serious wounds to his head and face, before leaving with the girl.

The search continues for the missing child.

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36 Comments

  1. Zammm.
    June 28, 2022

    This AG is the worst Dominica has ever had.. A big waste of time…. And a failure.. He ain’t no AG his is DLP AG…
    One thing, since Mr Douglas no longer role with you all, is a set of fear. It is clear that you all are afraid of Him cause say what you guys want he is a very good lawyer… So he knows what he is saying…. He won’t blufff.
    The right thing for this AG to do is to say, the cause of death of the guy who was the person with info on the child will be investigated.. Now that the man is dead, where in Dominica will this poor kid be found? Mr AG, you have a bad habit of coming around like Dominicans must shot up when you speak.. Welll must willl and come again cause this DLP is only failure.
    On another note, Dominicans are to.be blamed for having u alll as their government for such length of time. It’s crazy….

    Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 0
  2. Anonymous
    June 26, 2022

    Why is a death inquest necessary? Why have we not heard anything from the attorney General in the past deaths of individuals in the care of the police, such as Kerwin prosper and Joshua Etienne? What about police brutality in Dominica, torturing of individuals in the custody of the state? Why does the ag not address those issues? How is it that Kian Alexander died in the manner which was prescribed by the commissioner of police, when he stated that Dominicans are entitled to practice self-defense?

    Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 0
  3. June 25, 2022

    Mr AG I’m not a Legal luminary but subject to legal interpretation, Isn’t the viewing of the body part of the (INQUEST) Court proceedings? I listened with disgust as Simeon; Senior Clown-son; Donkey Ronnie; Daryl; Ronald; Clarence and the rest of the “nincompoop crew” while accusing other persons of politicizing the kidnaping of this innocents girl, day after day they went after the parents of the alleged kidnapper and the Opposition for making him a “Hero” what a disgrace from so called intellectuals. Well guys let me help you get the record straight; Kernisha is 12 years old, which means that she was born and grew up under DLP watch; she cried out for help from DLP Welfare Department; she lived an unhappy life under DLP watch; she got kidnapped under DLP watch and you are yet to rescue her; some of your DLP supporters who lived in the same area never reached out when they knew what her circumstances were. DLP failed her miserably and you must own it, and just shut the F–K UP.

    Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 13 Thumb down 1
  4. Imputing Improper Motives (I)0MM)
    June 24, 2022

    Mr Peter, do you read Article 3, Article 7 and in particular Article 11 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights?

    I know it is pointless to quote any Acts in Dominica’s constitution because they are not applicable in Dominica. The “feeding frenzy” was initiated by the Commissioner who told us the perpetrator was shot in his legs, yet there was blood on his torso. It has to be a coverup in progress if the family was not allowed to see he body.

    And what the heck does “It’s uncalled for combative tenor” mean? Some Dominicans just love to use phrases that make them think they stand out above the fray to appear like they are intellectually gifted.

    Under no circumstances would Scotland Yard kill the kidnapper before finding information, and Levi Peter who studied law in the UK knows that! It was a total failure on the part of some trigger-happy members of the Dominica Police Force, foolishly killing the suspect without gaining the information about this child location.

    Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 10 Thumb down 0
  5. Jonathan Y St Jean
    June 24, 2022

    Levi Peters I’m waiting for you to come out as vociferously to defend Dominca in light of the fiasco of Choksi being brought to Dominca against his will and the bungling by Skerritt and the upper brass of the police force. Also Levi, there have been extrajudiciary killings of Dominicans in police custody in Dominca and you never came out to stand up for the deceased or their families with any statement. Why? You seem to be selectively carrying out your duty as the chief legal defender for the government and by extension the country. Since you have started with the Keyan matter why stop there? Continue for the sake of justice and good governance. I’m listening, Levi.

    Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 48 Thumb down 9
  6. West
    June 24, 2022

    How you make ur bed so you lay down Keyan family never went to look for the little girl his mother and father went garden instead now the police kill him they present with lawyer to me police even took to long to shot mr because is ours nonsense how a mad man evade police all that time instead of all you in Dominica talking all that F…. Go under bush and look for the f..Ing child. Only thing that make me sorry is that they kill him and didn’t find the child other wise F… that

    Hot debate. What do you think? Thumb up 9 Thumb down 26
  7. Lin clown
    June 24, 2022

    A nou parole SORT,do not make yourself a JACKA like ibo,.When SSS was formed in the police force Rupert Bernabe was not there.When the police was being trained by the 82nd Airborne division,7th Special Forces from Forte Bragg Both Carolina,Rupert Bernabe was not there.When the police were being trained by the Jamaican soldiers,Rupert Bernabe was not there.When comes to jungle survival Levi Peter is like a fish out of water.Ask the likes of Evans John,Nicholas George,Gabriel St.Jean,Philsbert Alfred,Cyprien Defoe,Robertson Laurent,Philsbert Bertrand,Jeff Durand,Jefferson Shipley,Patrickson Albert, Erie Mility,Kelvin Albert,Liston GAS Dyer and Melvin St.Jean.Rupert Bernabe was a drills master and Levi Peter a book worm.Mr Sort stop acting like ibo.It is a sad that all the above mentioned have retired.

    Hot debate. What do you think? Thumb up 5 Thumb down 40
    • Jonathan Y St Jean
      June 24, 2022

      @Lin clown, I note that you mentioned two St Jean brothers of mine in your article. They put their lives on the line for the country and I’m not going to shut up and watch Skerritt and his goons like you damage the country with your lack of good governance and corruption.

      Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 14 Thumb down 2
    • June 25, 2022

      Lin clown seem you know them all including you. Parle Sort is right. Bernabe was first to train in Morne Daniel. Where were you? And you are the lone ranger left kissing Skerrit front

      Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 8 Thumb down 0
    • June 25, 2022

      Lin (Clown) that you really are go ask Levi Peter where he was when Leroy Etienne aka “pocosion”; Mal Esprit and those other guys were in the woods terrorizing people. I know your brains are certainly in a different place from that of humans, no surprise there.

      Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 9 Thumb down 0
  8. dissident
    June 24, 2022

    I personally think that de AG really cane out to bat because Tiyani is de lawyer representing de alleged victim family…….in defense of de police force!
    De state is acting like they have something thing to hide!
    Otherwise you would be very open to the family identifying the body!
    You not making any effort for de constitution dat you refer to to be open and supportive of de victim family.

    Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 39 Thumb down 9
  9. Bwa-Banday
    June 24, 2022

    “It is clear from this, that there is no obligation for the coroner’s jury to view the body with the family of the deceased person. And it is most certainly not unlawful for the coroner’s jury to view the body without the family being present,” Peter stated.

    As regards the attendance of an attorney at an inquest, or post-mortem, which the family’s attorney also named as a concern of concern, the AG pointed out that section 30 of the coroner’s act gives no such right.” :twisted: … I see the Ag is quick to point to the existing act which he knows is flawed. Tyani is very well aware of the act and its short comings hence the reason he is speaking out.

    Levi, you are one who is quick to hide behind the proverbial “doctrine of necessity” so in this case, as you rightfully stated there are speculation, conspiracy theories etc but be reminded you all are the ones causing all this BS. STOP it Levi! You work for the citizenry so make this an open inquiry and all will be well. FIRE…

    Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 42 Thumb down 6
  10. Lin clown
    June 24, 2022

    The police made a statement on the killing of Keyan.The problem is,UWP and their supporters don’t believe the police.They want the police to say Keyan was killed because he would implicate government in the Kidnapping of the 12 year child.That is nothing new both the bugging issue the GON firebombing and the money laundering matter were conspiracies of the blue party.If I was a police my # 1 suspect would be Keyan mother and his brother.Matt Peltier should be arrested for obstruction by interviewing police suspects and witnesses.I am convinced Matt is holding vital information given to him by Keyan mother.That is my opinion.By now the police should know,UWP,CCM and NJAM are enemies of the police.I hope the police never forget what UWP did to Mr.Blanchard,Valarie and 6 other police.They disrespected the police in Salisbury and Marigot and they are going after the again.Where is Cpl,Drigo and the police welfare association?

    Hot debate. What do you think? Thumb up 9 Thumb down 64
    • out of south city
      June 24, 2022

      You are so much of an …… Stop occupying space on this platform. You and this Rogue government are too evil and wicked, supporting the wrong doings of the police.

      Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 32 Thumb down 5
    • Bwa-Banday
      June 24, 2022

      “The police made a statement on the killing of Keyan. The problem is, UWP and their supporters don’t believe the police. “..Ok so do you blame them for not supporting the police after so many botched attempts and blunders during the so-called search and rescue efforts? Come on my friend, sometimes we have to face reality and put aside politics when its staring us straight in the eyes.

      At this point in time, I myself have very little doubt that Kian was ALLEGEDLY captured earlier that fateful day, tortured for information, died during interrogation and torturing and then……shot in an area that is easy to say they aimed for his leg during capture but got a little higher. Traumatic injury in that part of the body has a high probability to result in death if not addressed ASAP and the police knows that. With the child still missing and babylon consistently lieing their a** off, it’s time for the minister of national security and entire police command structure to go!.

      Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 18 Thumb down 2
    • Jonathan Y St Jean
      June 24, 2022

      @Lin clown, Blanchard was spared by UWP because he should have been sent to jail for his involvement in drugs in the country. I’m very unhappy about the fact that ordinary street guys were being sent to prison for drugs yet the chief of police gets a pardon for doing worse. He took a vow and ordinary Joe Blow never took any vow. There are many police who support the UWP, so your point is moot.

      Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 0
  11. smh
    June 24, 2022

    Doesn’t matter which side of the useless political divide you stand on. The man is absolutely right. Any body who operates on logic and reason would agree that now is no the time to be wasting energy on these conspiracies that do nothing other than advance the political career of some oportunistic hacks. Instead all efforts should be focused on find the child, who lest we forget is still out there somewhere.

    Hot debate. What do you think? Thumb up 13 Thumb down 24
  12. Iamanidiot
    June 24, 2022

    So as long as we don’t have the child safe and sound at her home…to hell with what ever happened to Keyan. I’m only sad of his death because he wasn’t able to say what he did with the child, and yea the police may have messed up but right now bro in hell. So lemme guess, couple Dominicans going to put on shirts and march around town saying “Justice for Keyan!”(The way the country on a side that wouldn’t surprise me) that Mystelics talking about “how it was unfair how their brother was taken from them”, yea it…was unfair how he take the child from her home. Difference is, he made his bed. We like to talk about how cases taking time in court and people getting 2 years jail, well this time…justice was swift…What’s the problem?
    Whatever happened to him, was because of his own actions, all of a sudden he’s a martyr for police brutality and we need justice for him? Have to be a joke…

    DNO, my comment not that bad, approve it please

    Hot debate. What do you think? Thumb up 17 Thumb down 20
  13. Clear the Air
    June 24, 2022

    The defensive and combative language employed by the AG, and aimed at Mr. Behanzin, is an attempt to divert attention from the obvious gross misconduct displayed by the Dominica police in this ongoing tragic matter. Law enforcement actions concerning all aspects of the death and autopsy of Mr. Alexander must be revealed to the public and the AG should be concentrating his efforts in that direction. Instead of blaming the messenger, this should be and still could be the AG’s honourable and respectful course of action.

    Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 36 Thumb down 10
    • Ibo France
      June 26, 2022

      The personal attacks on the learned attorney for Keyan’s parents show arrogance, insensitivity, no self awareness from a ghetto-like reprobate (AG).

      The AG has no reasonable or rational reasons for the withholding of information by the eccentric and inexplicable conduct of the Roosevelt’s bodyguards. Only in Dominica would the media be so deafeningly silent on an issue of this significant nature.

      Dominica continues to be a bizarre, unorthodox governed country. One where the leader and members of the cabinet violate the laws and the constitution of the country consistently, and the media and the populace remain lethargic and indifferent.

      The country is doomed with this regime of renegades, thugs and goons at the apex of government. People get the government they deserve.

      Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 0
  14. Dominican
    June 24, 2022

    It is not Mr. Peter’s job to protect the police but ensure that all aspects of our constitution are adhered to on behalf of the state and its citizens. In this case an independent investigation would be required to ensure just that. As far as this Dominican, is aware, this country is not ruled by by the dogma of credo but tangible facts, unpalatable as they may turn out to be.

    Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 36 Thumb down 5
  15. Lawyer
    June 24, 2022

    I’m sorry, but you really haven’t addressed the issue AG…

    Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 42 Thumb down 6
    • June 24, 2022

      Why would he address you when you are the issue who needs some tissue?

      Hot debate. What do you think? Thumb up 4 Thumb down 35
      • Toto
        June 24, 2022

        You think you are smart arse funny DS? Boy, on the contrary, you are pathetic.
        I don’t know if the killing of this young man was extra-judicial, do you, does anybody? But there is a lot of suspicion and speculation. So let’s have an independent inquiry. That would help to clear the police too if they are innocent. Why not do it?

        Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 15 Thumb down 1
  16. Koolwosh
    June 24, 2022

    What I want to tell skerrit and his goons is to stop revising and messing with our constitution. if they don’t like the way our constitution was crafted, my advise to them is “get the hell out”.

    Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 26 Thumb down 6
  17. Dan
    June 24, 2022

    Levi the cover-up cavalry has arrived- you first. I suppose Skerrit will be next when he returns after voting for Soce Seil in Rwanda, then Blackmoore, Denise Charles, Austrie and the other tail enders will follow.
    Answer some basic questions Levi for a start.
    1. Can we get the doctor who pronounced Kian in the bush be made available
    for questions?
    2. Why did the police went straight to the funeral home with the body instead of the morgue?
    3. Why wasn’t the family and their attorney present at the autopsy?
    4. Corbette said that the police shot at Kian’s leg- Wow
    Levi there are many holes in the police’s story and you and your nonsense papyshow need to stop immediately.
    So where is the child Levi?- that is the question- Maybe if Kian was alive we would know by now- Ask your ill trained, incompetent and unprofessional police.
    They are nothing but the political and feelings police- they are not law enforcement police- and you too.

    Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 47 Thumb down 6
  18. Thinking Aloud
    June 24, 2022

    Perhaps the Attorney General will now make a statement on the baseless charge against the Parliamentary Opposition brought by the
    Prime Minister.?
    How long a waste of the public funds.

    Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 25 Thumb down 6
  19. Legion
    June 24, 2022

    This statement by the AG only add credibility to the statements made by the attorney for Keyan Family. The AG seem to think we are fools and should just go along with the program. The statement was devoid of any substance and it’s only real aim was gaslighting.

    Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 27 Thumb down 6
    • Lawyer
      June 24, 2022

      Devoid of any substance it is! Deviating from the real issue as well. Very smart comment. It says that you are critically thinking and not a sponge just taking in whatever the “powers that be” throw at us.
      I really do hope that we get some answers and justice is served.

      Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 28 Thumb down 1
  20. Truth Be Told
    June 24, 2022

    Attorney General Levi A. Peter what a wasted opportunity to tell the public the truth and stop the public from speculating! The public is speculating because you and the powers that be have been silent on the what, how, why, when, where of the police killing! This was your opportunity to put that straight, but you said nothing about that!
    You go on and on admonishing without providing any information to stop the public speculation! Read what you have just written and note the wasted opportunity to silence the speculators with the facts of sequence of the police killing. You are the Attorney General, dispute the speculations with the facts! But everyone is quiet until the PM returns, after all is he who run tings in Dominica!

    Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 28 Thumb down 4
  21. June 24, 2022

    Where have you been Mr. attorney general. As a former well trained police officer who was trained in Barbados and did bush training under Military trainer Bernabei, I believe you were the best fitted to command the search instead of leaving the exercise to be carried out by Morne Bruce novices. It is obvious the outspoken attorney has wakened you. On the other hand, hearing your voice I do hope that all is well with your soul.

    Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 17 Thumb down 6
  22. Ibo France
    June 23, 2022

    The Attorney General has said quite a mouthful. However, he still is quite evasive on the reasons there has not been a press conference after a week of the killing . He stubbornly refuses to engage on the reasons why the grieving parents and their lawyer cannot look at the body of Keyan.

    Mr. Levi Peter, your corrosive and uncouth remarks about the lawyer for the parents of the deceased have done nothing to bring resolution or relief to the populace. The people looking for solutions and you creating confusion.

    Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 24 Thumb down 6
  23. DNO Reader
    June 23, 2022

    We can only speculate on what happened out there in the bush..
    It’s not that hard to imagine that the police shot him and then started “interrogating” him and when he told them that the poor innocent girl was buried somewhere..well we can only speculate..
    Maybe it was “extra judicial” but what’s the best case scenario?
    Maybe some people would like to see him brought before the court where he’ll be certified as a lunatic and in a couple years he does something worst..
    It’s true that his life matters but the way some people carrying on..it’s like..oh it’s a pity he killed the poor innocent girl but let’s just make some mileage (political/financial) out of it.
    Let’s please just stop all this nonsense and focus on what’s really important: finding Kernisha (hopefully alive); implementing a plan to take care of the many mentally traumatized people who walk the streets and, most importantly, protecting our vulnerable young children.

    Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 17 Thumb down 3
    • elizabethlxavier
      June 24, 2022

      @DNO Reader, I have to tell you that your comment is the most sensible One on this board, no doubt about this.

      Hot debate. What do you think? Thumb up 2 Thumb down 14
      • DNO Reader
        June 27, 2022

        @ elizabethxavier really hoping that our Dominican people can see the “forest from the trees”..

  24. Ibo France
    June 23, 2022

    In the absence of information pertaining to the apparent execution of a mentally deranged citizen, quite naturally, there would be speculations.

    Why is there no press conference by law enforcement authorities? Why not allow the family and their attorney view the body and the autopsy? Why it is taking almost an eternity for the relevant authorities to come clean? Why? Why? Why? – more questions than answers.

    This AG is a member of the most corrupt, opaque, diabolical cabinet. Does anyone expect him to say otherwise? These guys are highly amoral and should never be trusted. Every word off their tongues is expertly calculated to fool the gullible and ignorant. Fortunately, only fools take their bait.

    Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 21 Thumb down 7

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