The decision to shut the door of the court on members of the media and the public last week when charges were read to five police officers involved in the Joshua Etienne matter is not going down well with Attorney General, Levi Peter.
At a press conference on Tuesday Peter said in his view, there must be some level of transparency where justice is concerned.
“Justice must be transparent, must be open to the public wherever that is possible,” he said. “In my view, and I speak from the position of Attorney General and what that represents, justice in this society that we have, in a democratic society, must not only be done but must seen to be done. In my view, and as I understand the law, people should generally not be excluded from court when there is very good reason to do so.”
He stated that someone can be barred from a courtroom if that person disrupt the proceedings, however he was not sure why that specific proceeding was closed.
“I cannot specifically speak to that instance” he stated. “I don’t know what was happening on that occasion and why the decision was taken. But if you ask me my preference, I would prefer that people are not excluded from courts unless there is a very good reason to do so.”
The officers, Orlan Vigille, Delvin Challenger, Martin Seaman, Gemma Louis and Sergeant Hayden Morgan are facing charges in relation to the death of Etienne, who was found dead in police cells in Portsmouth on August 4, 2014.
Only the charges were read. Obviously it was brief enough. This could have been the reason why the doors were shut against the public and Media.
I assume it will be different when the case is called. All will be welcomed.
Wat is good for the goose is also good for the ganderAG put this in your pipe and smoke it
Dominica is a sick society and there is no medicine for the ungodly in this place I wonder whether Dominican’s can sleep comfortably at nights wen people are so evil. Imagine d screams and wailing of that man, imagine a man was bathed in gasoline and caught on fire, think of Mellow in Gbay all criminals are going scotch free. We seem to have d real ISIS mentality here from top to bottom but judgement day is coming one day are D\ca and a large percentage of its people and the judges who messes around with justice will pay in the lake of fire. Take note.
This case is as high profile as they get. When the people who should know claim they know nothing, read between the lines, they are only dropping hints that the case is going to be railroaded. Elementary!
Dominica is in a real real poopoo …such court desion should be taken only when a minor is concerned,,not for adults,,,soon dominicans when chinese will take over ,one will become prime minister there will be no freedom .. every one of us will have to travel and seek shelter…these police officers and the representatives of the law are trying to intimidate the family of this young man,,,the family should refuse such nasty role ….one day the population’s cup will be running over and will say enough is enough ,,,we have to act before it is too late..
All I would like to know is who made the decision, did they have the authority, and what were their reasons? There is precedent for such a decision but it must be made within the law and for the reasons as specified in law. Closed court sessions is not unheard of around the free world. I am more disturbed by the fact that the Attorney General was not privy to the decision making process, not consulted on the decision, and is against the decision! Why then is he the Attorney General?
I am appalled that the Attorney General who is the highest law enforcement officer in the nation does not know what happened here and apparently did not do due diligence to find out why this apparent unconstitutional self imposed regulation by the courts happened, then he should really consider stepping down. These are the types of actions that demonstrate total lack of confidence in the courts, the legal system and the attorney general’s ability to supervise the courts mandate to execute its mission of providing fair and transparent justice to the people of Dominica.
“THE SUNSHINE LAWS OF THE COUNTRY APPLIES TO ALL”
None appear to as much as think of a reason why that day the Court was closed to the public. There must have been a good reason. I visualize the Judge did not want chaos to erupt in the Court House with uncontrollable people. It could very well have occurred. Should this have occurred consider the melee and whatever else would ensue. The action of the Judge is worth this thought; not criticisms.
As far as I’m concerned this has become one of the most corrupt islands in the caribbean, who would have thought. Shame.
Last year the keys to the court disappeared from the police headquarters. So today the court rewarded them by doing their coco makak to protect the police. In Dominica today the rule is, I scratch your back so you could scratch mine too.
Dominicans, let me remind you that today is the first day of April, and in Dominica we observe this day as “All fools Day.” Traditionally, on this day we try our best to convince people to believe a well conceived lie. Fools were always vulnerable on this day and being Dominicans as we are, we too are very easily fooled. As far as I am concerned that’s exactly what the AG is attempting to do here. Here is a good example: “I don’t know what was happening on that occasion and why the decision was taken. But if you ask me my preference, I would prefer that people are not excluded from courts unless there is a very good reason to do so.”
Folks, let us not forget some important things (1) He is the AG (2) the incident took place last week 3. The press conference was yesterday, Tuesday. So the man is so concerned, yet he had no time to find out what was happening and why the decision was taken? You mean the AG did not call to find out why? This is just another all fools day lie
Constitution of the Commonwealth of Dominica of 1978, updated through Act 22 of 1984.
1978 No. 1027
DOMINICA
The Commonwealth of Dominica Constitution Order 1978
Made 25th July 1978
Coming into Operation 3rd November 1978
CHAPTER 1
PROTECTION OF FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS
Provided to the protection of law
8.-
1. Any court or other authority prescribed by law for the determination of the existence or extent of any civil right or obligation shall be established by law and shall be independent and impartial; and where proceedings for such a determination are instituted by any person before such a court or other authority, the case shall be given a fair hearing within a reasonable time.
3. Except with the agreement of all the parties thereto, all proceedings of every court and proceedings for the determination of the existence or extent of any civil right or obligation before any other authority, including the announcement of the decision of the court or other…
I would hope that the attorney general has read that part of the constitution which he has sworn to protect, defend, uphold and preserve.
i can identify my fren miss bruno from a distance.her behind
All we have to do is say the right thing, say what we know the people want to hear, but do what team players have to do to win the ball game.
Boss man justice must not only be done but must be seen to be done.
We de citizens must see justice take its proper course.
We de public must have some faith in our judicial system.
Too many times our courts leave us wanting.
Too many times justice is not seen to be done.
In your words:” I cannot specifically speak to that instance. I don’t know what was happening on that occasion. And why the decision was taken.”
You crucified yourself with that statement. Our justice system is not up to par. You see why we don’t have any faith in de CCJ?
As Attorney General of the State, in a high profile case involving 5 police officers and a dead cell inmate that is your response?
8 months after de incident? All de back and forth at de court and de views of de magistrate to have de matter brought to court and charges to be read?
YOU MEAN YOU WERE NOT AWARE THAT DE OFFICERS WERE GOING BACK TO COURT?
AREN’T YOU DE ATTORNEY GENERAL OF DE STATE?!!
GET OUT OF OUR OFFICE! NOW!
Yes the police officers has to go free,if not we will have the Americans to monitor us ,take your pick,we have to protect the Dominica Police Force,most of the people who want to go inside are ex-convicts. None of the Police slept in the cell with the prisoner so,who killed him? The Police were acting in the execution of their duties.Had they not use reasonable force,we would have had 5 dead Policemen in our hands.The truth is the police did not support the team otherwise it would not have gone that far.Spare a thought for the Dominica Police Force.There are families on both sides
d thing is that u will never here d primminster comment those matter there but all garbage u here him on radio talking as d heard of state that is the time u have to come out and say someting
jump high jump low it must have an impact on that corrupt police force.dont be afraid .that’s where they strong on investigating beat you till you talk or hear say
De day those police officers walk free just know all bell going to break losose.
Very well said Anthony, because while it is true the AG Mr. Levi is crying fowl on the incident where members of the public and the media were locked out of the court on that particular day, my question to Mr. Peter is simple, what is your jurisdiction as Attorney general? Are you the oil that fries the bakes or the frying pan that ensures both the oil and bakes get to a state of preparedness and ready for eating?
One day if God permits, I will understand the madness that is going on in this country and will never be a victim of same. Everyone rights are violated, except for those that are seemingly above the law. You know what, all this madness might come to an end, when there will be a blood bath in this country for the people’s rights, full stop!!!!
@lawrence Ettienne, did you write this? “One day if God permits, I will understand the madness that is going on in this country and will never be a victim of same. Everyone rights are violated, except for those that are seemingly above the law. You know what, all this madness might come to an end, when there will be a blood bath in this country for the people’s rights, full stop!!!!”
Bro, the vomit turns me off I still cannot believe you knew about the madness, you know everyone’s rights are violated, you know some are above the law, you feel all the above might end up in a blood bath in this country, and yet three months ago, on Dec. 8, you had a chance to change all of the above, and instead you teamed up and supported them so passionately? I don’t get this
Very well said AG. I am getting to like your approach. Keep that solid mind set…
@ Me Alone, why are you guys so gullible and so easily FOOLED? Can you not read between the lines to see is another lie? The AG just wants to look good in this matter. From day one the AG has been saying the right things but I wonder what true role he playing behind the scenes
The doors were closed to the public, so that “Coco-Macaque” can take place inside the court room. There will be no conviction in this matter. This is nothing more than a “Show Trial.” Murders walk free in Dominica all the time. It’s a way of life.
Thieves are let out early all the time. Dominica has quickly become the island of no justice. A few years ago, a cold blooded murderer who was out on bail for killing his own brother, murdered again at Crazy-T in broad daylight and wounded others. “Levi” is nothing. His words are empty and shallow.
I will be shocked and utterly surprised if there a conviction in this matter. No one was prosecuted in the John Rose Lindsay case either. He was arrested at the cinema and his body was later found underneath a cliff.
Support your statement 100% this is all a pappy show case,Levy knows that,these officers will eventually walk free,but god will be the judge.Dominica has no law obce you support labour you can do the crime and walk free.
Well no law no constitution can have any bearing on this case. We really like it.