The accused in the Soufriere family murder trial have given unsworn statements in court as both the State and defense wrap up the matter in court.
Harrison Williams is alleged to have been murdered by his brother Herbert Xavier and sisters Loretta Xavier and Manuela Williams in September 2010. It is now left for trial judge Brian Cottle to address the jury on the law and go through the facts of the case with them after which they are expected to retire to deliberate their verdict.
On the fourth day of the trial, the accused were told of their rights and elected to make unsworn statements from the prisoners dock.
Herbert Xavier, 32, and father of two was the first to give a statement. He told the court that on the night in question, he was on the side of the road and saw a vehicle coming and decided to “block the road with a drum” since he wanted to talk to “him.”
The vehicle, he said, reversed and stopped and he told the deceased that he must stop telling his girlfriend things about him. “He came out and told me he knows nothing about that,” Xavier said.
Xavier continued, “I left and went to my yard and my sister Loretta came and accompany me. While in the yard he (Harrison) came with a piece of 2X2 stick/wood and struck me on my back….we began to wrestle, I was afraid to defend myself but struck him back. He left the yard and fell in the drain.”
He stated that he never left the yard and never hit Harrison. “I was only defending myself, I did not mean to kill him or hurt him, I was only defending myself,” Xavier repeated to the court.
His sisters Williams and Xavier also addressed the court from the prisoners dock and both denied killing their brother. Both painted the deceased as the aggressor who they claim had entered the yard armed with a piece of stick and said he was going to “kill them” and even struck their brother.
“I was putting peace. I never hit Harrison. He is my brother and I love him….I was putting peace between Herbert and Harrison,” Loretta told the court.
On the other hand Manuela, who claimed that after being arrested and placed on remand she had tried to take her life at the Stock Farm prison, denied killing her brother or being part of any group that killed him. “I was not in any fight at all. Harrison was my brother…I love him and would never kill him, he was my favorite brother,” she said emotionally before bursting into tears.
But in his final address to the jury, DDP Gene Pestaina said the injuries sustained by the deceased were “serious blows.”
“You saw the kind of injuries sustained in the photos and have the report and findings of the Pathologist and that is no joke, you went to the area and saw for yourself, they killed him. It was deliberate and calculated and not an accident,’ he said.
The DPP said that Herbert was the aggressor since he started the trouble by blocking the road which was also a clear breach of the law. “Herbert drew first blood….The child saw them beating her dad, he got blows in the yard. Use your common sense, have no sympathy, use the raw facts, and be bold, you are intelligent, be brave in your decision and return a verdict of guilty on all three,” Pestaina stated.
However, defense counsels Dawn Yearwood Stewart and Wayne Norde said while Herbert had placed the drum in the road he left peacefully and went to his home and was followed by Harrison.
“The deceased was angry and confrontational and rush in the yard of Hebert with a stick. He was the clear aggressor,” Yearwood-Stewart said urging members of the jury not to be sympathetic and return not guilty verdicts on all three.
“Don’t let the prosecution fool you about the lights….I want you to frown on the evidence of the prosecution and set the accused free, this is a whole family hurting and there are no winners in this matter,” she stated.
Norde, in his address said, Xavier’s case is “self defense”. “He was defending himself in his own yard where he was under attack with a stick, that was his space, he was not the aggressor, use your common sense, it’s a simple case of self defense and provocation, no brother or sister wants to kill another, have no sympathy, take your time and return a verdict of not guilty on all three,” Norde concluded.
you ppl nedd to stop juging only god cN DOE THAT
Take good note. The people are also able to judge this case and should be allowed to do so.
Cease playing God for you are not and never will be! How it hurts the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus when crimes are committed including murders in the land. This is another one too many.
God will never kill us for even harming others and speaking ill of them. Think God and what will Jesus say and do (WWJS and WWJD) under those circumstances of our lives when we experience disappointments and the deceit of others.
Our life, given to us by God is precious. When are people going to control their temper and not harm in any way, injure or murder others? You expect to live happily and peacefully then allow others their rightful God-given privilege of life.
These people who murder a family member, be it a friend do not love. They are all accomplices to murder, causing the death of a brother and over something minor as that be it over anything. Our Lord Jesus Christ will say that your hearts are hard. This happens when they do not live godly lives and of worship. They have given Satan the privilege of taking over their lives. How happy is the enemy of God and of our souls about that for no good. They are in dire need of the blessing and grace of God.
Our Lord said: “Vengeance is Mine. I will repay!” If we leave all to God as we take it to Him in prayer, in time, we will experience the fruits of our prayers and patience.
Now you murder a person, a family member and may have to spend the rest of your days in prison. You have forfeited your freedom forever. You have also tarnished your name for life.
Do you not think that your God-given life is worth much more than that? Even after serving time in prison, in the end, God will punish you for your crime for few really repent, make penance and restitution. People cannot make restitution for murdering a human, depriving him of his life. This is why in bygone years once convicted and judged, they were hanged and/or executed. This punishment may take you straight into eternal damnation with the devil and his fallen angels.
It could be said that a man lost his life through the foolishness and temper of others. It is too late for regret. While you are still alive, you have to pay the earthly price for murdering a brother and this is incarceration for some years.
We, the people have every right to pass judgment upon you. Let us place ourselves in the deceased situation including his family (no exception his friends) who love him, the hurt, the pain and the grief which will be with them forever.
Sorry for the length. The Catholic Radio is on as always. You should deduce the moral and spiritual effect of also being fair and just and speaking the truth and wanting justice for the deceased even though we cannot bring him back. He did not deserve to die and by no means in such a manner. I pray that God had mercy on his soul and that his soul rests in God’s glory and peace. Amen!
When u live in a glass house don’t throw stones
Wat goes around comes around. Wat goes around come around
Dats life when u live in glass houses don’t throw stone!!
Stupes.Manuella didn’t burst into tears i was there. She was crying but yet no tears.
@ College Student
This is what we call ‘crocodile tears’ of hypocrisy and pretense to obtain empathy.
All three found guilty of MURDER!!! DBS breaking news
Oh happy day thank you jesus justice has been serve its all over Harrison continue to rest in peace my friend to Jacqueline and the family hold tight be strong
I would never be able to defend these three…
@ Nature’s Market
Me too! This is why I am not a lawyer. I would not make a good one in that my conscience would not allow me to defend criminals.
Father i command those jurors into your hands lead them and direct them so they can all come with one decision Guilty in your name amen
God sees and hears everything. I was not there and I dont listen to stories. I rest everything in God’s hand.
Don’t believe in eye for an eye and tooth for a tooth. But after what they did to Harrison they still lying about it. They are putting on a show. Please send them to prison.
Hey, they are still alive. Their freedom is just restricted. Where is Harrison?
I hope wen ull turn reach where allu negative pple will have allu day in court allu will tlk .I’m not 4 wat happen but none of us were dere dat nite we don’t kno wat really happened .dis case is jus confusing but it happen alreadi if they hav to go prison it didnot mader 4 animals if there wasn’t no crime it won’t hav ah prison allu mus fink before allu open allu mouth !!!!
so is going to punish the tall red sister that made the call…….God has to punish her,she forget she has sisters ,brothers and children too.FIRE GO BURN DE WICKED!!!!!!!!!
@ Family shout up those people are hot headed people before they take with you is a cutlass they running for I raise with them in the same village and i know them Harrison was the best and they kill him let them get what coming for them nobody send them to do what they did to him,nobody is perfect but the need to be behind BARS it is too late to cry over spill milk they could have walked away but they decide to kill him who vex lost.
1)Reality check a man is dead, a father is gone,a wife is now a widow,and another fatherless child.
this is not right,how can you say he was your favorite brother but yet you partake is his death, aren’t you suppose to protect your love ones,
2)how can you kill your brother in the name of gossip (ridiculous)who say and who do say nonsense
3)beating him senselessly while he is down is not the way you are defending yourself specially when you are the one who provoked it in the first place by blocking the government road
you all should be jailed while your conscience torments you for killing your own brother.
“Anger” is real and was not controlled. Love and understanding was lacking.
I wish to weigh in on this. Sparrow said “ten to one is murder.” in this case 3 versus 1 the 1 was overpowered. There is no doubt that this guy was murdered. Question is “was it premeditated. I would pay attention to family history particularly the recent relationship among the siblings. This holds a key to the intent of the crime. To me blocking a road is an indication of a thought out plan. That alone was a breach of the law and a catalyst for disaster- a trigger. Now the accused identified the deceased hit him with a wood. Ok so you hit him back, where and was it that one hit which was the fatal blow? If yes self defense after which we would see you called the cops and turned yourself in. By admission of the other accused -Loretta, she said that the same person hit him over and over so how can this be self defense when and individual lying powerless on the ground is being minced meat by another who is towering over him? The other accused Loretta by her testimony just identified that the victim was murdered by her brother. Another question. The other sister is hardly mentioned. Was she an innocent bystander? If yes, in this age of technology she didn’t have a cell to call 911, 411 or whatever 11 for help from the cops? She couldn’t run into the house to call the cops? Were any of the women, through eye witness account calling for help or the cops to come intervene. People can say what they want but this was clearly a thought out ambush by the three on the deceased. If he was an aggressor as they claim, how many reports had they made to the cops prior to the murder? I would say all three by reason of the evidence presented are guilty. Maximum penalty for the one identified to strike the fatal blow who seems to be the scapegoat aka the sacrificial lamb and 5 to 10 years removed from his maximum sentence should ve given to both accomplices who apparently contributed either through action or lack of action to the deceased demise. I would also set a fine for some type of assistance for the child and the aggrieved widow. That child has to live with this forever. Psychological implications caused by those who were supposed to protect her. Let justice be rendered in this case so the deceased can finally rest in peace. The accused at least have time to sit in the cells, make peace with God, ask forgiveness and make peace with their brother whom all three claim to love even in death. The deceased did not have time not even to say “I love you” to his daughter who helplessly was at the scene watching her father get killed at the hands of his siblings. This is a best seller boy! A lesson for all of us to stay in prayer and be content just the way we are.
You can’t award compensation in criminal proceedings. This is a matter for Tort Law…
WELL SAID NAHTTY!!!
Yes indeed a leson for any family. No family should and would not want to be be in this particular situation. This happens when we allow doorways for the “Evil One” to enter us and his fruits – “Gossip, Hatred, jealousy, Envy, nagativeness” to take over us and in the time whilst he is there, anything can happen in that case a brother died and yes I am sure they loved him but the fruits took over and in the pointof anger. People let us be peacemakers and not condone hatred of one another. When we see those siblings and family feuds let us the other members of the family put peace. There is no winner in this matter. It is the same family ( indeed a large one) who is hurting – Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, children. The deceased was an Uncle, a nephew, a father, a Brother to many in the same family as those accused. ley barb camaderie pwi difay, woozay sahw. This is a sad state of affairs. Let us pray for family unity. How Good and Pleasant it is for Family to dwell together in peace. Let us identify those feud and let us pray and help to bring peace.
Setting them free will only lead to more blood wars…jail the bastards they deserve it all. Life in jail for taking a life..that is what I consider justice.
No one is perfect. s*** happens to everybody. So to all of you putting all these negative comments about these human beings your turn will come, hope you handle it different
family and big daddy u all need to come to allu senses… 1 blow was even too much.. u all ever heard of talking to reconciliate a problem..??
ONE SISTER SAID HE WAS MY FAVORITE BROTHER I LOVED
I DON’T GET IT. WHY SHE DID’NT PROTECT AND HELP
HIM WHEN HE WAS BEING BEATEN TO DEATH.
That’s what am wondering myself. I have three big brothers, one of whom is my favourite. So if I see somebody killing him with blows i not intervening????? or at least calling the police???? I don’t believe her for an instant.
Self defense with no injuries sustained stupid lies…………..
ALL I KNOW ALL WHO THAT KILL THEIR BROTHERS IN DOMINICA ENDED UP LIKE DOGS ON THE ROAD IN THE END.THEY BECAME WONDERERS LIKE CAIN WHEN HE KILLED ABEL.
I hope that justice prevails, Harrisson was a good man, he helped everyone even those who claim they did not kill him.If you love your brother so much when he fell in the drain you should have helped him not continue to beat him while he is defenseless…. May you rest in eternal peace Harrisson.. and may justice prevail. These people need to be sentenced to life in prison you took a life now you should pay for your crime, you only want to be sorry now that’s a little to late you should have thought of that before you killed your own flesh and blood.
As a sister said, the wife was a sister-in-law from hell, but that didn’t give them the right to kill him. She said that they gave Harrison love and support.
Girl, be strong. I kown it a very emotional time for you and your family. I miss that million dollar smile.
Be Strong
Inlaws always seems to know who is best for their sons or brother, that will teach them a lesson. stop interfering!!!!!!!
love
A friend, I know this side of the family. The sisters are so sweet.
As one of the sisters said, Jacqueline is an in-law from hell, but they found a way to deal with it. You do not kill your brother over that instead you give him love and support as they did.
My girl, I known it’s an emotional time for you, be strong and I miss that million dollar smile of your.
Love you and be strong.
TWO NOT GUILTY AND ONE GUILTY
ALL GUILTY… LIFE In prison is what they deservce or a big big amount of million of dollars to the gf and kids..
I still cannot believe they kill Semtin “Harrison” so senseless to kill such a decent hard working peaceful person. Ay las. Murder, manslaughter, accident whatever. A killing is a killing. So let justice reign. So much fight I fight with my brother-even with the same 2×2 and never kill him and if It was an accident they woulda run and help him, not leave him in no bleddy drain………
Oh boy!
It’s quite clear that they now realize they are in hot water so they changing there story..the daughter from day one have been consistent in what transpired ..I was not there but based upon the evidence all three are guilty..
Good knows everything
If they are inocent Then God will set them free but if they are guilty and still telling lies I hope justice will be served by day break
Let god do the judjing ppp
(1) Had it not being for the blocking of the road there would not be a fight.(2)If there was any family relationship,if at all they agreed as brothers and sisters there was no reason to block the road,he should have flagged his brother.but they had other plans than just talking,they wanted to put an end to something they did not like and they would do it at any cost.Now they are talking about their family,their children,what about Harrison`s wife and child? at least if they are lucky enough and been sent to prison there family can still come to see them; but Harrison`s family has no husband or father to go to.What a sad thing for a little child like that to see her daddy beaten to death by his own relatives people she calls uncle and aunt y.The worst part is those that standing there and saying the child is telling lye’s,these guys will do any thing for money.But God knows all things.
I don’t even know wat to say i know all of these people i leaved with these people. They always say you never really know people and its so true………Who would have ever thought they’d kill Harrison in such a brutal manner he was a father a husband and most of all he was there brother. I can say one thing for sure Harrison was the nicest of them all. He is not here to present his side of the story and neither was i present at his brutal murder however i refuse to believe their story. All of a sudden a change of heart what happen to the lauretta that was grinning at the beginning of the trial now you hiding your face who are you trying to full with ur crocodile tears. Your parents maybe dying if this did not kill them and poor Albert he maybe bowing his head in shame.
so where is the real eye witness? no neighbour no body hearing something thats just creep that was a set up thing from what i gathered. u can run from man but not GOD
HANG THEM HIGH
M BASTARDS TO MUCH MURDERS GETTING AWAY FREE THAT JUDGE JUST GIVING CRIMINALS LICENSE TO KILL SHE SHOULD BE FIRED
Verdict of not guilty is the way to go for all three. Justice is dead in Dominica. Way Papa. Way way way. The echos of the calypsos of Sye, Vigilante and Transetta still resonnates in the air.
the brother say is he that kill givehim 20 years and the two sister for complicity 10 years each that the law,is time the law give some hard justice here man did’nt deserved to die like this
They need more than 20 once a killer always a killer and to think they would be sad entering the court and make ppl believe they innocent . They smiling and waving they think this is some kind of joke? GIVE THEM LIFE
sorry darling i meant to give u a thumbs up.i agree with you 110% i remembered them smiling and waving.no remorse.
too late shall be your cry.when you all were sent remanded there was noe romorse on your part.now the heat is on you all showing concern.you made the crime so serve the time
Watch me nuh, them same people didnt show that kind sadness, remorse, grief when their brother died. Now they shedding crocodile tears talking about how they loved their brother. I dont want that kind of murderous love.
Jail dem
I HOPE THEY ARE BEING HONEST FOR THEIR OWN GOOD
Self defense when the man is lying on the ground and cannot defend himself How many blows did they inflict in their effort at self defence.Worst defence I have ever heard Discretion is always the best part of valor
three verses one is not self defense,all three of them need to hard time in prison,
cane cane cane where is thy Brother?
they are stupid to kill there brother
WOW!
we need to be very careful when examining evidence. They may not be guilty of murder but could be found guilty on manslaughter if these charges were brought against them. yes the brother blocked the rd, but there isnt any evidence to show that there was a fight. He left and return to his lawful premises where the brother approached him with a piece of would with intention to commit grivious bodily harm to him. As a result the brother had to defend himself. however the question that one may ask, how force was used to defend himself. Was it reasonable force or what was required to subdue him or cause death. With the two other accused it is clear that more force than what was required was used. The three did beat him. But again the brother has claimed responsibility exhonorating the two.
tell me karl do you have the gorts to beat your brother to death even if he did something wrong
vanassa, what is gorts, Did you mean GUTS? just asking!
@Rastafari HAAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
the brother my foot. they are all three guilty as sin. They lied through their teeth to save their skins. One sister said she tried to commit suicide the day of his funeral. Well sister your brother is dead. You are eternally going to be tormented whether you in prison or out of it. shame on all 3 of you. once he was down why did you keep beating him….to wound him so he wouldn’t prosper in his job, or to kill him. one of the two, you succeeded in killing him. again shame on you
I AM ONE OF THOSE THAT GIVES YOU,DNO, BLOWS,BUT I MUST CONFESS THAT THE FRESHNESS OF YOUR NEWS NEEDS TO BE CONPLEMENTED.
True. But they also spread propaganda; like what the people on the radio denied this morning. But is people simple material DNO want to mess with because they are bias and see a completely different picture. Shame on them.
Why unsworn if they were telling the truth?? Remember, the deceased is no longer here to give his version!
JAIL THEMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 20 YEARS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
jail dem for life…till they ROT IN HELL
Only God knows the truth! How sad for a family to be in this situation. God knows only he alone knows. This will soon be over when the Jury gives the verdict. This matter has no winners no matter what happens, it is the same family members that are affected.
What you mean is God alone that knows. We also know that they kill their brother. There are claiming it was not intentional, but the fact remains that they kill their brother.
all three guilty
they killed him in their rage and only after realizing what they have done thought to themselves why did it go so far
I’m reading this and getting angry all i have to say is let JUSTICE PREVAIL.
I knew the deceased and his family….such a quite man how can they say that he was the agressor? Them defense lawyers will LIE alot to get their client free but they know the truth.
HE IS NOT THERE TO DEFEND HIMSELF BECAUSE DEAD
MAN CAN’T TALK
U wil be surprised that dead man can’t talk… when they sleeping and the brother haunting dem..haunt dem so bad that they kill thier own self.. ever seen blood sisters the african movie where the sister killed her sister just because she was jealous.. so it can happen
Please Jurors hear everybody plea dont listen to Norde or Dawn let it be a GUILTY VERDICT they could have avoided that but didnot instead they kill their brother whom they stated they had LOVE in COLD BLOOD.They are Guilty as charge they do the Crime let them do the Time dont let history repeat it self We Want Justice for Harrison and his family god is in control all the time.
weh weh look a case eh.. Let’s see how this one plays out. Justice should and must be served.. They shld have thought of all of this before they killed the man..
Ah magway sa. I am hoping and praying that Harrison gets justice. If u did not “love” Harrison what would you have done to him? You would have buried him before people come around man? I hope that the jury see through their lies and do what they know is right.
Is it me or are the stories changing?
I am of the same opinion, especially when it comes to the sisters. Each of the three gave a different story as to how the sisters formed part of the argument/murder. On another note, while the accused brother may claim self defense the question remains to what extent? In my opinion Herbert and Loretta should be given maximum punishment while Manuella a lesser punishment, because analysing the stories being reported it seems that Loretta and Herbert had more contact with the deceased that night than Manuella. Again just going based on what is being reported
where is the family love
That’s an emotional statement from the family. Yes they had a fight but i don’t think they meant to kill their own brother, but i guess when you do something wrong you have to pay for it. we all make mistakes…..
So why were they smiling and waving the day after their arrest? Like some kind of celebrities???!!! Look! just doh make me start there!!!
Let justice be served!!!!!
Justice is dead. What became of all the unsolved murders and the fire bombing. We need Jessica langsbury or Judge Judy.
hhhhmmmm i wonder how come d.n.o haven’t given the public much info on the points of the prosecutors… all we hearing is one-side… the injuries sustained is one where this man was killed deliberately… there is ‘defending’ and then there’s deliberate attempt to cause harm…
for e.g we have a problem… when i saw you… i said..”u see right now… i just beating you up now now now in your mmmmm” then automatically you defend yourself when i approached you…. you strike me then i fall… already looking helpless to do anything.. u continue to beat up on me.. with serious viciousness… continually beating me up with a piece of stick while i’m down… this my friend is beyond defending yourself and that’ the difference… it’s a deliberate attempt to hurt or kill me…
i don’t know this family personally or what the trouble is…. but beating up on the brother could not be the best solution…. so a little child will lie like that…. a child who’s lying going under cross examination of a seasoned and experienced lawyer would crush under pressure… the mere fact that this child has to enter court and sit on stand to answer questions while facing a jury is traumatizing already… so there’s no way i’m going to believe the child is lying… the jury should look at the photos and here the child testimony…. ‘
one of the sisters said… ‘the same person hit him…. and then hit him again. etc’ and the brother said that he only hit the deceased once… so clearly someone is lying…. so who did the fatal blow???? this is the question that should be looked into… blocking the road….. boss you wrong already so no sense to talk about defending yourself… because the first threat was ochestrated when you blocked a vehicle traversing on public road…. in texas you’d be shot and killed…
Someone killed him!
@Sayodityodit
Really??? I was starting to think he commited suicide…thanks for clearing that up.
I know! the way things going eh??