Jonathan Leherer, the American owner of Bois Cotlette Estate in Soufriere and an accused murderer, was denied bail today in the High Court. Leherer had applied for bail to seek medical treatment in Texas, but this was strongly opposed by Sherma Dalrymple, the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), and her office.
Leherer and his alleged co-conspirator, Robert Snider Jr., were arrested in connection with the murder of the Canadian owner of Coulibri Ridge in Soufriere and his partner, Dominique Merchant, in December 2023.
On December 1, 2023, police discovered two burnt bodies in a vehicle in Gallion. The victims, believed to be French Canadians Langlois and Marchand, owners of Coulibri Ridge Eco Resort, had been reported missing. The vehicle matched the couple’s description. Due to the severity of the fire, the bodies could not be identified, forcing investigators to rely on circumstantial evidence.
Langlois and Lehrer had a disagreement over the use of Morne Rouge Public Road, which passes through Bois Cotlette’s 53-acre estate. Lehrer, the owner of Bois Cotlette Inc, blocked the road, preventing Langlois from accessing their property. This led Langlois to sue for damages and seek an injunction against Lehrer’s disruptions.
Legal proceedings started with an interim injunction issued by the High Court on October 30, 2018, ordering Lehrer to unblock the road. Subsequent hearings resulted in additional court orders. In 2019, High Court Judge Bernie Stephenson declared the road public, granting Langlois’ guests unrestricted access.
Since their arrest, the two suspects have been held at the Dominica State Prison. Leherer later claimed to need medical attention.
Following the ruling on the bail application on Thursday, April 18th, Dalrymple informed reporters that Lehrer had not met the requirements for bail, leading to His Lordship Collin Williams’ decision to deny the application. She further stated that “there was no just cause for granting the applicant bail,” adding that Justice Williams seriously considered the public’s concerns in his ruling.
The DPP is responsible for considering the strength of evidence, public interest test, and sentencing for such a case.
“We have to understand that with the allegations at this stage, the evidence is very serious and heinous,” Dalrymple disclosed, expressing her confidence in today’s ruling.
Lehrer was represented by Attorneys at law Lennox Lawrence and Wayne Norde, both of whom declined to comment to the media about their client. However, when questioned on his way from the court, Norde simply told reporters, “No comment, no comment, I expect a written judgement from the judge…next week.”
GREAT JOB SHERMA
Why is it that Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit’s attorney, who is also sometimes used as an attorney for the State, Lennox Lawrence, is representing the accused murderer Jonathan Leherer? This sends a wrong message of conflicting interests! This does not look good! Is it a matter of insider dealing?
No sympathy for these devils!
As a Canadian I find the silence from the Canadian consulate to be deafening. Perhaps they should put down their cocktails and DO something. They appear to be hiding behind the international guideline that they cannot interfere in the affairs of another sovereign nation. Well, sometimes interference is required.
The fact of the matter is the Boys know there are several ways to skin a goat.
So PM was out of country when the alleged passport seller allegedly murdered two Canadians and now the CBI passport dealer is seeking bail through one of PM’s key lawyers and alleged passport dealer too, and PM is out of country again? PM why you running out when ur house is on fire nou?
So yes,on paper bail for PM’s friend and alleged passport dealer was denied. But The court and judiciary is corrupt and owned by the same owner, the owner is the boss of the police, boss of the CBI program, boss of the alleged murderer, boss of those corrupt lawyers and entire judiciary so all you think they don’t have a plan B in place to ensure their CBI friend and colleague doesn’t answer murder charges? Maybe those guys that fire bombed GON Emmanuel’s house might be called upon again and maybe those that burned Roseau so the opposition could be blamed, will be called again to do their dirty work. I bet it’s not over
You the media whore and your blue accolytes should ask the Americans to put sanctions on Dominica for not bailing their citizens.Just as you and yours did when the police detained 7 Americans.Crooked hypocrite.
The judge did the right thing by denying bail to this murder suspect. Let us not overlook the significant influence the outrage expressed by the people to bail had in the judge’s decision.
I want to submit that there is strong possibility that the two deceased individuals might have been alive if the police had intervened earlier and arrested this barbaric passport holder and seller of Dominica’s most valuable instrument from flouting and pouring scorn on the laws of the country and decision of the judge wth impunity.
This is a perfect example of the power of the people is stronger than the people in power.
“This is a perfect example of the power of the people is stronger than the people in power”, Ibo France. Pure bulldust and garbage. Only fools who listen to you and pander to your ignorant beat.