Issue of ownership of villas at Savanne Paille sparked frequent angry exchanges during trial
The trial of the State against Renneth Alexis, also known as ‘Bubbles’, on the charge of intimidation in connection with an incident that took place on Saturday, December 5, 2009, ended on Monday, October 4 at the Portsmouth Magistrates’ Court.
The decision is expected on Tuesday, October 12, 2010.
The court heard that Joan Etienne, Clayton Shillingford, Severin Mckenzie, Atherton Martin, Frederick Baron, Floyd Capitolin, among others, were at Savanne Paille on Saturday, December 5, 2009 in view of the villas reportedly owned by Alexis.
The prosecution claims that on Saturday, December 5, 2009, Etienne, the virtual complainant, was on the public road close to the villas when the defendant (Renneth Alexis) grabbed her and held a 9mm black gun to her head.
Giving evidence, Alexis said he was woken up from his sleep at his dwelling house, close to the high-end villas at about 2:30 pm on that Saturday by his step daughter Lovell Ravalier (defence witness) who informed him that persons were all over the villas taking pictures. Alexis told the court that upon receiving this information, he immediately put on a shirt, took his gun and went outside his dwelling house which is on the southern side of the villas at the top of the public road running east to west.
Alexis said he saw persons coming out of his villas and told them: “What all you doing on my property, get off my property.”
Under cross-examination, Ravalier told the court that her ‘uncle’, Alexis, held the gun in question on his side and she gestured to the court that he was moving it from his waist, up and down. Under cross-examination, Prosecutor Claude Weekes accused the defence witness of “being economical with the truth”.
The prosecution claims that Etienne did not trespass the property of Alexis as she was on the public road the whole time taking pictures when Alexis confronted her with a 9mm black gun and pointed it to her head, a situation which she said frightened her and had her “shaking like a leaf”.
Under cross-examination, Alexis denied he held a gun to the head of a “shaking” Etienne and added: “I did not hold a gun to anybody’s head. She could not have been shaking; if she was shaking, it was for some other reason.”
Prosecution witness, Dr. Clayton Shillingford, in his examination, testified in the court that he saw Alexis hold a gun to the head of Etienne for between 10 to 15 seconds.
During cross-examination of the defendant, Prosecutor Weekes asked: “Are you saying all the persons concocted the story?“
Alexis answered: “They concocted the story. The things they said never happened.”
But Weekes told the court: “You intimidated Joan Etienne. You intimidated her on the public road, not in your villas. You intimidated her by putting a gun to her head. Joan never trespassed on your property.”
But Alexis told the court that Etienne did trespass on his property and the “firearm to the head is a fabrication”.
During the trial Alexis said he never saw Etienne but he recalled seeing two women running up and down on the public road.
During cross-examination, Weekes suggested to Alexis that the manner in which he used his unlicensed firearm on that day, flouted the rules of engagement.
“Why didn’t you conceal the gun on your person in keeping with firearms rules of engagement?” Weekes asked.
Alexis responded that he only had a boxer shorts on, at which point the persons in the public gallery erupted in laughter.
In his closing submissions on the last day of the trial, Weekes told the court that Etienne was a “witness of unmatched credibility. I submit I believe her testimony is believable”.
Attorney for the accused, Heather Felix-Evans, attacked the credibility of the prosecution witnesses, particularly, Etienne and Shillingford, during her closing submission.
The defence attorney argued that Shillingford was not a “witness of truth”.
“He failed to say that persons went on the property during evidence in chief, but under cross-examination he said they did. He admitted parking his vehicle in the driveway of one of the villas. He admitted he did go in the private driveway of the villas and did not ask permission. He failed to state during evidence in chief but admitted under cross examination that the defendant (Renneth Alexis) asked them to leave several times. He failed to say that after they left the villas, but before they went to the police station, they went direct to a political meeting.”
“I am asking the court to view Dr. Clayton Shillingford not as witness of truth, not as a reliable witness. Disregard what Dr. Shillingford had to say particularly in relation to the defendant holding a gun to Joan’s head,” Felix-Evans told the court.
The credibility of Etienne was also questioned by the defence attorney. “In evidence on where Dr. Clayton Shillingford was parked, she hedged several times. She said in the driveway, by the villas, on the side of the driveway. But she had to admit he was parked on private property.”
The defence counsel said further that it was “not believable” that Etienne was on the public road the whole time taking pictures.
“They concocted a story of putting a gun to Joan’s head. It never happened. Based on the evidence, the prosecution has not proved its case of intimidation. We believe that the defendant’s story is strong, it is consistent. It is supported by evidence provided by the prosecution. The prosecution’s case is shaky. The witnesses of the prosecution are manifestly unreliable. They are not witnesses of truth. “
At the end of one of the trial days, Magistrate Behanzin asked whether the firearm in question was in police custody. The prosecution told the court that the firearm was confiscated by the investigating officer, but orders from higher allowed the firearm to be returned to the defendant (Renneth Alexis), in direct contravention to the handling of exhibits.
Prior to the commencement of the trial, Alexis received a call from the police station at Portsmouth to pick up the unlicensed firearm that was used during the incident. Under cross-examination, Alexis told the court he did not know the name of the police officer who made the phone call to him. Further, he could not remember whether he signed for the gun at the police station and he could not tell the court the name of the police officer who gave the gun back to him.
Alexis was asked directly in court: Do you know Corporal Austrie ?” Mr. Alexis responded that he had seen Corporal Austrie in uniform but suggested he did not really know him.
But Weekes retorted: “I am putting it to you, you know who called you.”
When the firearm was tendered to the court by the investigating officer, Sergeant Nathalie Pacquette, she pointed out the areas on the weapon which contains the serial number on the weapon. In closing submissions the magistrate asked the defence again whether they had any issues with the firearm to which they responded they had no issues.
The magistrate dismantled the firearm in open court showing all three key areas on the weapon that house the serial number.
During the trial, the question of the ownership of the villas at Savanne Paille sparked several heated exchanges between the prosecution and the defence. Counsel for the defence, Heather Felix-Evans, frequently questioned the relevance of the questions from Prosecutor Claude Weekes and clarification sought by Magistrate Behanzin on the matter of the ownership of Blaircourt Property Development Limited (BPDL) – the company that owns the villas.
During the cross-examination of Alexis, defence attorney Felix-Evans, sitting next to Attorney Stephen Isidore, rose to her feet on countless occasions objecting vehemently to questions to her client on issues related to the ownership of the of BPDL.
But Magistrate Behanzin stated that it was the defence who argued that the two documents (certificate of title and a company annual return) presented to the court should act as irrefutable proof that the defendant, Renneth Alexis, owns the property. When the documents were presented by the defence to the court, the prosecution stated that the issue of ownership was not relevant but the defence insisted it was relevant.
The court allowed the documents, but with the warning that at that stage, the documents were not being accepted as irrefutable proof of ownership, as stated by the defendant.
After the documents were tendered or accepted with conditions by the bench, the prosecution put several questions to the defendant under cross-examination seeking further information on ownership of the villas and BPDL.
Alexis was asked: “When did you become sole proprietor of Blaircourt Property Development Limited?”
His response was “sometime in April, 2007”.
“Can you tell the court from who did you purchase the property?”
Alexis responded: “Cecil Lockhart.”
Alexis was asked who he replaced as sole proprietor, to which he responded: “On the 5th day of September, 2007 notice was given for change of director from Earl Grant to Renneth Alexis.”
Asked who Earl Grant was, Alexis replied: “Mr. Grant is the person I purchased the company from.”
Alexis was asked where the company was registered. “The company was registered in Dominica.”
“You said you bought the company from Lockhart.” Alexis responded: “The land”.
Asked whether he had established the company or acquired it, Alexis said he had acquired it.
Questioned on who he acquired it from, Alexis hesitated for a few seconds and then said Earl Grant.
Asked about the value of the company when he purchased it from Earl Grant, the defendant said: “No value, no assets, no liabilities.”
Asked what consideration he paid Grant, Alexis said the figure was $5,000.
Asked if the company had a registered address, Alexis replied: “I can’t remember”.
Asked about the share capital of the BPDL, Alexis, under cross-examination initially said $1,000, but a week later as the trial continued, he said it was $1 million.
When asked whether he had applied for concessions in respect to the construction of the villas, Alexis replied that he could not remember. When asked by the court how much money was outstanding on the loans acquired from “financial institutions” to build the villas, Alexis said he did not know. Under oath Alexis said he designed the villas himself and when asked in what style, he replied with a toothy grin, “Renneth style”.
Questioned by prosecutor Weekes as to why he could not remember the details with respect to a company he says he owns, Alexis told the court that he sometimes forgets his birthday. He added that he has several other companies and that coupled with his church and family responsibilities, it is sometimes difficult to remember everything.
Prosecutor Weekes argued that the questions on the ownership of the villas were “relevant and not far-fetched. I don’t think you are the sole proprietor. Because of the inconsistencies, you are not giving the truth about the company. You seem to be unaware of the life of the company you say you own. Your testimony has been wholly inconsistent with respect to the ownership of the property. We are putting it to you that the evidence you gave with respect to the ownership of the villas is very shaky”.
In his closing arguments on the matter of the ownership of the property, Weekes reiterated comments made earlier in the trial: “His (Renneth Alexis) testimony was blighted with discrepancies and inconsistencies. We further submit that a captain should know his ship.”
The charges of possession of an unlicensed firearm and possession of unlicensed ammunition have been conceded by the defence. The charge of battery has been dismissed by the court.
Given the wildly conflicting testimonies by the prosecution and defence witnesses, it would appear that the outcome of this case will be determined on the credibility and integrity of the witnesses.
Who does Magistrate Tiyani Behanzin believe? We will soon find out.
@The Third Side: “SEEMS LIKE YOU ARE THE DEVIL….YOU ARE PART OF THE uwp.
HOW CAN I CONFUSE A TOURIST WITH matt, lennox, athie martin, edison james,falling dread gooovy bat, floyd capitolin….boss man, suck on some detergent and clean your filthy mouth….the uwp reall show the true colours.
rasponrag, you better warn your uwp trouble makers, the next time they walk into people’s property and think its theirs there will be much more you guys talk about on your kiss me donkey radio programmes and on DNO”
Your response proves my point that you are exceeding ignorant a virtual pig therefore it easy to see how you have missed the point. How on earth can you assume I am a UWP supporter because I question why a man should brandish an unlawful firearm at a woman because she is taking a picture of his property and repeat, if he felt the woman was trespassing then he should ask her to leave, failing that, he should call the police. This is not the wild west or Helmand Province. So how my statement could be linked to any kind political persuasion only goes to prove that you need psychological help and lessons in reasoning. Even though I don’t think it is any of your business what my political leanings are I happen to think that the current PM is doing as good a job as possible, no one is perfect or has all the answers but it’s the best thing that Dominica has going for it in terms of current progress and the resources available. So go and see an Analyst.
@Admin: This is one of the best pieces of writing that I have ever read on DNO. Please congratulate the writer of this article for me. I am what I am, i.e. “Fair & Square” – when it’s good I say so; likewise, when y’all need to improve I also say so (although allu does “squeeze me” & take f’ings personal).
This article is informative and well constructed. It is writing such as this, that conjures up vivid images in the mind of the reader; whereby the readers feels ejected into the actual scenario.
Congratulations on a job well done!
let me say to all those dominicans who are blinded by the colour red and the labour party that it is time that we open our eyes and take a good look at our country dominica. if bubbles lawyer did not open her mouth to include or bring in ownership of the villas to the cout all this agruing would not have happen.
now bubbles has to take what he get. don’t you think that if you own some property then you would remember how much u broght . all these he should know at the tip of his tongue.
hats off to Inspector Weeks on a job well done if only we had more like you in the police force. you should have benn commissioner of police
well i am inthe diapora suffering TO pay my bills . And when election come every five years i will be getting my name on the list to come home and vote……………… But i wan to change that around i would like to be like the man bubbles i want to come back home to go HUNT CRABS FOR ME TO BUILD MY VILLAS SO WHEN VOTING TIME COME I WILL BE RITE DERE TO VOTE THE INTERGRITY GOVERNMENT. PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHEN IS THENEXT HUNTING SEASON FOR CRAB. LOOK OUT PM SKERRIT WE ARE COMIN GBACK HOME SO EASY TO CATCH CRAB AT NITE ALL WE HAVE TO DO IS SLEEP DURING THE DAY AND AND CATCH CRAB AT NITE. WAT A EASY MONEYYYYYYYYYYYYYY.
@truth 2 power: that is so true, you must know them very well like me. but i know for sure with 100 percent accuracy that all materials that was ordered for skerrit house came in through the blaircourt project duty free.
the document are in the min of finance, customs, audit,etc….
You may have gotten some incite on the onwership of the villa’s issue, but I don’t like the way it was done. You guys used the girl and pretended that you wanted to do business with her. With that said, I think there are now more questions that needs to be answered.
OU TO SORT!!! IS PPL LIKE U DAT UPHOLD SLACKNESS FROM POLITICIANS AND PPL DAT MAY HAVE ALIL MONEY THAT’S WHY THEY FEEL THEY CAN COMMIT ALL DESE WHITE COLOR CRIMES AND GET AWAY WITH IT. I CAN CLEARLY SEE YOU ARE NOT TOO BLESSED WITH COMMON SENSE.
first lie……you do not have a stepdaughter..and our policemen so damn crook ,they give him the gun and say dont mention their name ,big man again they get away with everything
time will surely tell!!!!!!!!!!!! i know 4 sure…………and my only hope is in GOD!!!!!!!!!!!! patience is vitue
@truth 2 power:
WELL DONE Inspector Weekes, I really applaud you. We need more like you in the force and in Government
beauty, one can only hold his head up if he or she knows that they are speaking the truth. bubbles profess 2 b a christian and,i am one 2.The bible says,”Be sure your sins shall find u out?”. i know that the villas are not bubbles property. bubbles knows in his heart that he is not speaking the truth. God will not see him through……..the same marble counters that are in the Pm house is inside the villas, the same wood that the pm used at his house the remains were used to complete the villas. i know cyperia sighn, she admitted 2 disigning the villas while workimg on the pm house. i know all the guyanese workers who worked for the pm.there are much more that i could say but time will tell as u always say…4 your info, lennox and the others are speaking the truth,although i dont like his programme. i am no trevor johnson but, am a true and honest dominican. i dont want anything from the p.m, i believe in working hard 4 what i have.my dear who ever u are, dont just jump 2 conclution. i know bubbles very, very wel, and i always told myself that one day, his lying tongue will get him into some trouble. as a christian, bubbles have a lying problem. we attented the same church so when i say something i know what am saying.
@Respondent: Oh I see your point, so Dominica is now like Afghanistan. So tell me this, the next time I see a tourist taking any picture outside my house I should run out and pistol whip him or, as I am a law abiding citizen and don’t have unlawful fire arms should I instead go and threaten them with my cricket bat?
Your logic and reasoning is warped and disgusting and I refuse to accept that this is the current view of Dominicans at large. Your attitude shows you up as someone who is exceedingly pig ignorant. You should change your name from The Third Side to The Backside or better still how about Jackass.
You talk about the Pope, you need more that the Pope. Have you ever tried God because the devil sure has you!!
SEEMS LIKE YOU ARE THE DEVIL….YOU ARE PART OF THE uwp.
HOW CAN I CONFUSE A TOURIST WITH matt, lennox, athie martin, edison james,falling dread gooovy bat, floyd capitolin….boss man, suck on some detergent and clean your filthy mouth….the uwp reall show the true colours.
rasponrag, you better warn your uwp trouble makers, the next time they walk into people’s property and think its theirs there will be much more you guys talk about on your kiss me donkey radio programmes and on DNO
TO WHOM DO THE VILLAS BELONG?..BUBBLES SEEM TO KNOW ABSOLUTELY NOTHING ABOUT THEM…..ONE GOOD DAY SOME PEOPLE WILL HAVE TO PAY FOR THEM AT STOCKFARM… LOOK CORRUPTION !!!
Bubbles you should have given them iced tea and oreo cookies, then you would not have made a fool of yourself in court
If the move to go to the villas was not political nothing is.These guys were reporting live to lennox linton that saturday afternoon on his program, lennox reported the week b4 that they would be there. when mr martin spoke that afternoon he said that they were on a piece of property that had no private property sign on it. I think bobbles should have his gun licened and maybe should not have not brandished it ,but for tresspassing on the man property he should have damaged some of them critically so he would be in court today for a goooood reason.
To the right Honorable Dr Clayton Shillingford PhD. Could you explain how close Mr Alexis was from the lady whyen he was brandishing the firearm. You know you lied slandered the man just as you did when you disrespected the then Minister of Education W>S >Stevens during your radical days
You reside In Dominica but yet you cling that DIASPORA title Clayton get real
@Trevor Johnson: Trevor Johnson you are indeed a trouble maker . liar. conman.political hatchetman par excellence. In answer to your question the designing architect clearly stated that she never met Skerrit but you are willing to state that she says Skerrit own the villas if she never met the man how do you arrive at that conclusion .
I can hardly wait for the UWP to get hold of the rheins of power in DA because when overly ambitious radicals like Lennox. Clayton. You Trevor, Matt. Angelo (groovy Bart) Arthie .start fighting for position we will soon see where the real corruption lies
By the way could you disclose the names of that or those INVESTORS on whose behalf you guys were making those inquiries, Right now that Architect must be feeling DUPED & USED
beauty i hope u really beautiful. because you are the dumbest person ever. are you saying that the pm should steal or defraud the country? let me correct myself , i khope yu are one of those benefiting because that is the only reason i can think of why someone would be so dumb.
@The Truth:
I could not have expressed it better, well put!!
@good choice-A.B: have yours with your money not state money to build roads schools etc. tell skerrit save money and take a loan like i did and not STEAL.
i also find it hard to believe that someone would rush out of their house from sleeping, with a gun in their hand and just stnd there with it at their side. what does lifteing it up and down mean. was he simply gesticulating with the gun in his hand while he was talking. if so how was he holding the gun? if he was pointing it if think this still qualifies as intimidation.
@ true Dominican the Hon Hector John has one house which he worked very hard to build.He was employed at Dominica Banana Marketing Corp. and thats how he got his house ok.And as a matter of fact the man just became the opposition leader so is not the state money that build his house unlike the PM.Kindly stay away from my pal rep.He went through the right cannel to get what he has don’t press a young man for reaching higher.
@The Third Side: “@Respondent: Bull S..t. Even if this woman was on his property no man has the right to come out with and unlicensed gun to tell her or any body to move. Normal civilised people would first tell the purported intruder they are on private property and ask them to leave. If that person then refuses you should call the police. Is that not what the police is there for???
YEAH RIGHT….YOU AND THE POPE ALONE THAT WILL ACT LIKE THAT…BUT IN ANY NORMAL SITUATION…AN INTRUDER ON YOUR PROPERTY….YOU ACT…NO TIME FOR CALLING POLICE…HE SEE YOU ALREADY…HE MIGHT TAKE YOU OUT
THIS ADVICE IS FOR YOUR OWN GOOD”
Oh I see your point, so Dominica is now like Afghanistan. So tell me this, the next time I see a tourist taking any picture outside my house I should run out and pistol whip him or, as I am a law abiding citizen and don’t have unlawful fire arms should I instead go and threaten them with my cricket bat?
Your logic and reasoning is warped and disgusting and I refuse to accept that this is the current view of Dominicans at large. Your attitude shows you up as someone who is exceedingly pig ignorant. You should change your name from The Third Side to The Backside or better still how about Jackass.
You talk about the Pope, you need more that the Pope. Have you ever tried God because the devil sure has you!!
If someone had a gun to your head and u was shaking, why in the world would you go to a political meeting before going to the police station. To me, these people gathered together and fabricated this whole story
@Ghetto Yout:
when he go dominica finish too so whats yr point
@Beauty:
bubbles no matter what the decision is you know who you have standing behind you
thats what friends are for…..
every body from possie knw who austrie is, so how bubbles donot know who he is .well bubbles he is the ,little ordenery man who use to go PSS from cottage.the passed your home to come to Lagoon portsmouth, and he is regie bro
@following their master like poodles:
personally,,,i would have given her a bullet in her foot so the blood would stain where she was standing…trespassing and saying is public road? woman stupes
@True Dominican:
all of them have their property so why cant you have yours?
ask hector john how many houses he have
Well done Inspector. Weekes, job well done, you did what is expected of you as a good state prosecutor would have done, is to open holes in the defence witnesses.
do not be worried about those who try to call you names. I only wish that the Agt. comm. of Police was half as brilliant as you are in terms of policing. Keep up the good work.
@Trevor Johnson: mama so we hearring the truth now well DA have the next stanford look trouble, how u all people feeling now to hear that
@Homeboy: u are so right
@forkit:what u said is so true, all i know if it was me they would not have given me back the gun u all people open your eyes see how it rolls in DA now big man call to return gun
@Truth and Justice: man u talk the truth it seems like is one set the bank does give money in DA and people in DA trying to get a loan in NCB to send there children to school they pushng them agound then at the end they not giving them the loan for plenty less
If i was Bubbles when them man came on by the place i would have welcome them with open arms, give them a personal tour of the place, pose for all their pic and send them along to run their mouth more advertising for my place.
@who will stand: You sound like someone who is angry at the world. Take a chill pill and stop the name calling. You sound like your little mind have already been poisoned by your god Lennox but time will tell. You all have been sing the same old song from way back when……lol
In every society, there are those mischievous, immoral, devilish, unscrupulous people who will support to death criminal activities, especially if their friends, political or otherwise, commit those crimes. THINK AGAIN, Dominicans of sound minds, Law-abiding Dominicans, genuine Christians, Dominicans who still love this nature Isle and its children, the excuses, the condoning and outright support for criminal acts of all kinds by our fellowmen, is IMMORAL
Those who support such things are either given gifts, money, hush-money, other material things and assistance to hook them forever. Some are made AMBASSADORS, some given POSITIONS that they are not worthy of, some though they remain extremely poor and hardly receive anything, they will put their lives on the block for those who commit crimes.
Many Dominicans have dismissed GOD in their lives. They do the exact opposite of what the BIBLE teaches and tell us that is correct. They walk about with the BIBLE under their arms, but throw the good words therein in the gutter. The SHEPARD IS LEADING THE FLOCK TO THE PRECIPICE. Many refuse to talk or take action against crimes of all kinds.
NOTHING is going wrong in Dominica? Our present stock of POLITICIANS and leaders are governing perfectly, without any faults? Some feel hurt and upset, when citizens express concerns about all those criminal actions and BAD GOVERNANCE, THEFT, LYING, money-laundering, drugs ETC., ETC., ETC., that are destroying the Country. They wish the mouths of good citizens could be muzzled and their FREEDOM OF SPEECH TAKEN AWAY FROM THEM.
For 5 years plus, the DLP condemned the opposition about corruption. A lawyer was assigned, paid huge sums of money to investigate those politicians for corrupt practices. TODAY, the DLP GOVT., and its supporters are vexed like hell, foaming, enraged that Dominicans are now seriously concerned and talking about corruption, increase in crimes and BAD GOVERNANCE, BIN BOBOL, FERTILIZER BOBOL, and other ‘WHITE COLOUR CRIMES. What is good for the goose is not good for the Gander? TALK and INVESTIGATION of CORRUPTION was only for one set of politicians and people in authority. That is so strange.
The UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS gives persons of any country FREEDOM OF SPEECH, FREEDOM TO SEEK AND RECEIVE INFORMATION, as well as FREEDOM TO ASSOCIATE WITH ANY ORGANISATION THEY FEEL TO. Those who feel they could now shut people up or put a bridle around people’s mouth, because their Party is in ‘POWER,’ you better think again. That will not happen.
People have the right to FREE EXPRESSION and to condemn criminal activities wherever or whenever those criminalities take place. JUMP HIGH OR JUMP LOW, LIKE IT OR NOT, it is the right of the people to SPEAK OUT. DOMINICANS, PLEASEEEEEEE, DO NOT TOLERATE DICTATORSHIP AND CRIMINAL ACTS IN THIS COUNTRY. STOP THAT NOW, MY PEOPLE, FOR THE GOOD OF THE COUNTRY AND FOR THE GOOD OF OUR CHILDRENS’ FUTURE.
People like BEAUTY are really not worth the effort. These people cant offer a word of wisdom. I would not go as far as to call her useless but I really do wish that people like Beauty would spend sometime listening. Sometimes that’s all it takes –Listen before you declare yourself an imbecile. It is sad that majority of the Skerritites are people like BEAUTY and unfortunately D/ca has way to many people like Beauty- Ignorant.
Keep your head up bubbles ………………… if God be for u nobody can be against u …………….. they will all fall at your feet ………………….. God is in control
then again knowing mysself, i would not have gone to the cops if i had a gun ppinted to my head, i would prabably blame myself and be happy that i was not shot and would need someone to convince me to go to the cops. maybe that explains why she did not go directldy to the cops if she is indeed telling tht truth.
i do hope that truth prevails though. they should give them a lie detector’s test.
CALL THE MURRAY SHOW.
@Respondent: Bull S..t. Even if this woman was on his property no man has the right to come out with and unlicensed gun to tell her or any body to move. Normal civilised people would first tell the purported intruder they are on private property and ask them to leave. If that person then refuses you should call the police. Is that not what the police is there for???
YEAH RIGHT….YOU AND THE POPE ALONE THAT WILL ACT LIKE THAT…BUT IN ANY NORMAL SITUATION…AN INTRUDER ON YOUR PROPERTY….YOU ACT…NO TIME FOR CALLING POLICE…HE SEE YOU ALREADY…HE MIGHT TAKE YOU OUT
THIS ADVICE IS FOR YOUR OWN GOOD
this is a difficult one
i must confess i am not a very sharp one but people react in certian ways in certain situations. this is exactly how judge judy solves these he said she said cases. in this circumstance there was witnesses, so it’s no longer one persons words against the other. butwe must also bear in mind that the witnesses on either side may be lying.
this is a tough one and i do not wish to be in the majistrate shoes right now because the verdict will not be based on evidence.
again people are react or are expected to react in certian a manner in certin situations bearing in mind that a small percentage will react differntly.
if i or you had a gun pointed to your head what would you do. i would be so silent after the incedence and i would have probably gone to the cops or just go somewhere to be alone. i need to hear more from this witness, what did she do for the first hour or two after the incedence. WHAT WOULD YOU HAVE DONE.
the documents he gave as ‘proof’ of his owner ship of the property should not be taken as evidence….its like me using my college ID to get into a club….when everyone knows that the bouncers only accept drivers’ licenses and passport type IDs. anybody can create a college ID …. anyone could hold these two documents as his….
@MH: Bull S..t. Even if this woman was on his property no man has the right to come out with and unlicensed gun to tell her or any body to move. Normal civilised people would first tell the purported intruder they are on private property and ask them to leave. If that person then refuses you should call the police. Is that not what the police is there for??? Or are we to assume that Dominica is the wild wild west and has not quite reached the stage civilisation or intelligent life form?
There was no mention of the woman vandalising or burning the place down so who is he to carry on in such a pig ignorant and high handed way. Or is there something more sinister underlying this matter.
What about the governments so called get tough stance on people with unlicensed guns, I thought they were supposed to go straight to jail not handed back their illegal weapons. Ok this may may have happened before the so called get tough stance but why have they not gone confiscate the illegal weapon.
Something is going wrong with D’a.
@Beauty:
i agree with you , Skerritt should help himself whenever, whereever, however he feels cuase he is very hungry. and as de Pm of de country he requires more food to sustain himself to lead such a big country..
so why we complain of drug men? and thief? and marijuana growers? and de man that goes to Astaphan to pick some crix and walk outside without notifying the cashier?
miss beauty take note de RED CLINIC is closed till 2014 so stop lining yourself to cash in..as taking without permition is cool in Dominica..why are you wasting your time on DNO when u can spent all the time to take..go girl take all you want, its free..dont waste your time to catch crab to sell when all you want is available for free..
“At the end of one of the trial days, Magistrate Behanzin asked whether the firearm in question was in police custody. The prosecution told the court that the firearm was confiscated by the investigating officer, but orders from higher allowed the firearm to be returned to the defendant (Renneth Alexis), in direct contravention to the handling of exhibits.”
this story tells the story about life and crime in DA. If you know someone higher up you good. There is no way any proprietor of property has the right to usean unlicensed firearm to protect his property. He should be jailed. We are so hypocrite, we complain about violent crimes, yet it is ok for some to have unlicensed fire arms… BS.. Investigate the “higher up” and charge his Tass clot!
Pple like me dat have d country how it is eh…hmm im happy to know. All u still will not get d satisfaction all u lukin for i can say this now. All u will not send skerrit crazy about dat villa situation. Bubbles keep ur head up is times like this u kno who dare wen u need dem.. remember god is in control….and who jahh blessss no man curse…As for sum of these pple commenting on here they even judgin me sayin me dat hav d country how it is.. Buh they forgetting to say as Dominicans all of us have a part to play. U are not god u dont kno me so dont judge me. leave the judging for god. And pple dat are blessed will remain blessed..
@sunshine:
you mean the same papers he took to the Hot Seat, Those papers? the one where he got the loans from 2 different banks, for the 1.2 mil.
@Just giving my two cents:
The state use police as prosecutors and not lawyers. That is the biggest mistake and needs to change.
dominicans must learn to respect other people’s property. the gentleman’s actions may not have been the most appropriate in confronting the situation but politics or not, but let’s be honets, how many of u would actually stand by and watch a group of strangers trespass on your property, having made no prior request to do so and not making known there exact interest??…………..
…….i personally would be damned before i just allow any Tom, Dick, Jane or Harry walk into my home or onto my property at will especially with my kids on said premises………it’s a matter of personal security.
@gwatanse:Well said!……….Good job!..NICE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The architect designed the villas and as far as she knows is that Skerrit hired her. She doesn’t even know Renneth Alexis. I have the designs that were completed by the architect and the property is bounded by two public roads…. Listen to the architect.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LzFW_NcKGGw
Mr. Alexis passed up the perfect opportunity !!!!
Now this.
@John Choline: Garcon,let the man rest in peace, boy.(you know what i mean……i hope he come and pull ur big toe tonight)..(lol)….
With all the bashing of Bubbles by the ignorant posters on this site, he has employed more local folks than matt, lennox, and all the perpetrators combined.
But these uwp goons that post on here take pleasure in bringing down a man of humble beginnings who rose from poverty to the top for the sake of politriks.
Maybe after this whole episode is done, your kids and or family will be running back to Bubbles for a job…its a small effing world and it alll goes in circle people.
@Ron: Aren’t you tired of making an .. out of yourself?…everytime you make comments,no matter what topic..from way back when..you are always making an .. out of youself…Don’t you have any self esteem?…nothing?…you are always running on empty….This is very sad for you man…An ..is just an .. i guess.
http://www.cicad.oas.org/Desarrollo_Juridico/ESP/Reglamentos/Legislaciones/Leyesarmas/Dominica/Dominica,%20Firearms%20Act.pdf
Who is the lawyer on this site to explain what these gun laws says
One of dem days Skerro go jump off a cliff and allu will follow
Poeple again do your research before talking. I remember when all this story of the villas came up on the Matt show. I listened carefully but realize it was all about politics, anyways on my way to work i went for a snack by fish and tings and met bubbles there. I told him i’ve been hearing that he does not really own the villas, to my amazement, he went on his vehicle and took off an envelope and show me the loan he aquired from the bank for the villas. It’s a very huge amount of money. From then i believed the villas are his.
Thats why when we say things, we need to find out the facts and truth.
Stop the useless comments.
@Dominicafirst:
Peace perfect peace. Where the Spirit of the Lord is there is peace, sweet peace.
You are exulting his illegal actions, to have a firearm and to point it at others; an unlicensed firearm at that. Only in Dominica this happens, you say?
Was he going to catch or shoot a thief for also trespassing on his property? What was he suspicious about? This is no way to handle a situation and at 2.30 pm in the day. It was not nighttime.
I would not support such a person and his action. Let us hope that his business activities are legal.
He spoke of church. Is this the work of a practicing Christian? Where is his godliness and godly patience towards others? Does he possess any? He appears to also have a bad temper. As the saying: “Temper is such a good thing that we should not lose it.”
What good is it going to church if people do not conduct themselves appropriately to their fellow people as children of God, outside of church?
If they were on his property, the Christian-like, gentlemanly and sensible thing he should have done was to approach them and respectfully enquire why were they on his property? Then peacefully ask them to leave. He could have avoided the problem of being taken to Court. There are times, more often than not, we have to think before we act. Quick actions in such a case could be detrimental and also deadly.
I love taking pictures and of beautiful sceneries and homes. What if I had taken a picture of his property? I supposed his reaction would be to put a gun to my head. I would surely be scared.
Up to now I have not heard why they were taking pictures of his property. They may have had a good reason.
I smell a rat as to how he acquired that property and how much he paid for it. He was not able to respond in a satisfactory manner. There is more to this story than we read, why the others were on his property and why he was enraged to the point of having a gun and also pointing it at the lady.
This gave him no reason to take a gun, snatch the lady and point his unlicensed gun at her. If it were me I would be downright scared.
The fact that he had an unlicensed gun and pointing it at someone with apparent intent to either injure or kill her got him into trouble. Here are three charges against him.
It is against the law to have an unlicensed gun, to snatch anyone; touch anyone without their consent; to point a firearm at them as if on the verge of shooting them to murder them. This is not the actions of a reputable national and a reflection of a nice, Christian person.
We are all investigators in our own way. I smell a rat as to how he acquired that property and how much he paid for it. He was not able to respond in a satisfactory manner. People do not forget those things. He should be asked to produce the appropriate documents for the property.
It appears that there is more to this story than we read. Why were the others on his property and why was he so enraged to the point of having a gun and also pointing it at the lady?
The unlicensed gun should not have been returned to him at that time. Then not until he paid the license and after the outcome of the Court Case. If he won, only then should he be allowed to have the gun and pay the license.
Where the lives of people and their safety are concerned, this is a serious matter. The Law does not joke with such matters nor take them lightly and handle them lightly.
In fact, what this man did is called: “Dangerous use of a firearm and negligent use of it”. These are crimes. It could have led to a murder or more. In this case the gun should be confiscated based under those conditions and he should be charged or be imprisoned.
If he resided in specifically one of those big countries, there is no doubt that this is grounds for obtaining a bad record.
The police officer erred greatly for returning the gun to him. Do those policemen not know the law and their obligations or did he just ignore them? If this officer is responsible for returning this gun prior to the end of this case, he should be reprimanded. It appears that he needs additional training.
What is going on in Dominica with those authorities who are supposed to know better? This sounds like an operation of Keystone Cops which they are playing. Remember that comedy if you are old enough?
@Truth: Truth .. Some of our own people just dont get it. He should have called the police he has no right to used an illegal gun to chase some off his property. the matter before the court was the gun issue.Not the owner ship of the villas. People ougght to read and understand what’s going on.
@Margeret Rose: @Truth and Justice:
m/rose YOUR INFORMATION IS SCATTERED. ADVICE, BEFORE YOU COMMENT GET YOUR FACTS.
OH BY THE WAY LABAR ARRANGED THEM FELLAS BAIL ON ELECTION DAY..
The evidence would have been clearer if the trespassers were left to be treated by medical officials on your property. Bubbles, I hope you learn from your mistake. Next time use your defense.
@Beauty: Beauty is people like you that have Dominica in the state is is just about now. Skerrit is th PM of Dominica he has to declare his assets. When you run for public office then your busniess becomes public info. The people of Dominca has every right to know who owns the villas wether is the PM or some one else.
@Truth and Justice: IF I KNOW THE DEVIL LIVE WITHIN THOSE MEN BECAUSE LYING AND STEALING IS OF THE DEVIL, THEN WHY SHOULD I LISTEN TO THEM.
THEY WILL TWIST THE TRUTH AND TRY TO DECEIVE ME. SO I WILL STAY AWAY FROM THEM
DO YOU THINK THE BIBLE IS COMPLICATED? IT IS NOT, STRAIGHT FOWARD, AND IF YOU KNOW SOMETHING IS WRONG AND YOU GO ALONG WITH IT THEN YOURE PART OF IT. IF YOU HAVE KNOWNELDGE AND YET YOU STILL UPHOLD THOSE WRONG DOINGS THEN YOU WILL BE SO JUDGED.
I AM NOT A MAN WITHOUT SIN, BUT I TRY TO DO GOOD, PRAY AND NOT BE A HYPOCRITE..
AS FOR POLITICS I HAVE VOTED THEM ALL, BUT PAPA BONDIE WRONG IS WRONG
@???????: BY NOT PAYING I HAVE TO ASSUME THIS MAN IS BROKE
People, are you forgetting that Renneth Alexis is charged with Intimidation, that is what should be proven in court, it is what he is alleged to have done, trying to established ownership of property as evidence is irrelevant. Let us say for augment sake the Property was not owned by Renneth Alexis. The prosecutor is trying to established that if he does not own the Property he has no right to intimidate people encroaching the Property, What a terrible precedent that would be.. Let us look at the legal meaning of Intimidation “Take by means of to say or do something in such a way that a person of ordinary sensibilities would be fearful of bodily harm.” From the ‘Lectric Law Library’s Lexicon. Why does ownership of Property has to be established as evidence
to prove this case, it bewilders me. I’m not a legal mind but just trying to look at this objectively.
@Belle Beff: hes’ not brown skinned, with gold teeth??????????
@gwatanse:
Refreshing to know that sensible people still exist in DA
@Time is the reveler:
Their day came. What goes around comes around in time. I will never forget my thoughts when I read that Allen Stanford, a Texan millionaire went to Antigua and opened up businesses there. He was a big wheel in Antigua and well respected. He deceived Antiguans who placed him on a pedestal.
I was suspicious of this man and thought: “I wonder who he is and where he got the money from?” It was only a matter of time and see what has happened. He is now in a jail. From riches to rags.
It may be adult maturity. It may be from residing overseas and reading and hearing too much about those rich people and politicians who fell by the wayside after they were found out to illegally conducting business of all and also my mortal and spiritual instinct, somehow my feelings were that I did not trust that man and there seemed to be something shady about his business activities.
Yes! I also heard and read with interest about “COKE”, his political affiliation with that Party, assisting them and appearing to be doing good works. He had his private reason to snuggle up to those politicians which caused him to hide his illegal drug activities. They resisted arresting him and to extradite him to the US. If that Party did not comply with the US, the US would sanction the country.
In the end see what occurred. Prior to being caught, note how, sadly, many people died. Many were protecting him because they benefited from his illegal drug activities.
As God is above and sees, Holy Scripture warns us against befriending such people and accepting their financial aid.
I have not heard anything since he was extradited to the US. In time, we will hear the outcome of his case.
Having stated this, the thought crossed my mind: “Evil prevails in higher places.” Indeed! Little do we know. In time, their evil works will be exposed and come to light for all to see, hear and read about. This will be their downfall. I pray that it is through inspiration, as God enlightens and inspires.
Bubbles boy I just can’t imagine you going outside in boxer shots with those chicken legs. Bubbles garcon I never see you in shorts. So if you went outside in boxer shots it must have been a life and death situation dude.
All i can say to bubles is – get out while you can.
@oh my!: Oh please! this is DA – where we have aunts and uncles
galo – due to respect for a close friend of our parents.
@forkit: no one said he could not pay –
@forkit:
…That is why you do not go to church…? Do you go to church for the sake of people or for yourself, your spiritual growth and perfection? The latter two are the purpose of going to church.
Granted, in this era as we hear and read about there are some who preach the Gospel to their church members who may not be living a godly, exemplary life. God knows who they are. There is a tendency to judge others. It really is not our duty to judge them especially if we are not aware of their private lifestyle. Church goers are present to listen to them teach and preach The Word of God.
God is the judge of all. In the end, He will judge them. He will also judge those who judge them and two-fold. Holy Scriptures: Hebrews 10:24:25 – We must consider how to rouse one another to love and good works. We should not stay away from our assembly, as is the custom of some, but encourage one another, and this is all the more as you see the day drawing near.
If you go to church for the sole purpose to hear the bible read and to listen to loud, deafening words according to the interpretation and mentality of the talker who states he/she is a pastor, then, you might as well really stay home especially if what you hear do not assist you to grow and progress in godly spirituality and perfection. Anyone can stay home and read/study/pray their bible. This is why bible studies are held, outside the church and in places as a church hall. Nevertheless, I am not insinuating and encouraging that people should not go to church.
When we go to church we go to worship and praise God and not to listen to endless preaching and talking for hours on end which will tire people. At the end of all this, what have they learned? Has it spiritually assisted them?
It is not as though it is a retreat or a prayer conference gathering where members spend all day listening to religious speakers, praying, singing and praising God. The latter are OK with me. They serve a purpose and there is a time and place for everything.
Prior to reading/studying the bible, people should ask the Holy Spirit to open their hearts and minds. After reading/studying it, they thank the Holy Spirit. Here is a short prayer:
Before and After Holy Scripture:
Before: Lord, open our hearts. Let your Spirit speak to us as we read Your Word.
After: Father, we thank You for speaking to us today through Your Holy Word.
We need the church and the church needs us as members. It is a Christian obligation to go to Church on the day of the Sabbath which is Sunday. Do not allow anyone or any adverse thoughts to deter you from this. The latter does not come from God.
@Anonymous: no sense anonymous
Sum pple does really make me wonder. So even if d properties Belong to Skerrit .. SO WAT??? D man jus suppose to be dare leading a country and stay poor and hungry then. Dat dnt make no sense to me. Take all u minds out d gutter there is no way i leading a country and not looking to help my own self. he can help pple but not him self choops. Them pple had kno rite to come on d man property period..and even want to be takin how much pics..wat is dat na.. giv d man his privacy. they lucky to he didnt shoot one of dem.. cuz if he was sumbody else that mayb had a bad temper is a next story dat wud b on DNO. Give d man a break and stop trying to blow d story into more than it is.
Since when did it become illegal to request that someone get off your property or to refrain from taking photographs of your property, Skerrit lied but so did the illustrious Doctor Shillingford, he profaned our legal system by perjuring himself under oath Maybe Skerrit lied but he did not put his hand on the HOLY BIBLE and swear to tell the truth. A lie is a lie be it Lennox posing as a consultant for investors who dont exist or Clayton testifying under oath to tell the truth.
So much for men of integrity who want to be handed the rheins of power
Exellent Article!!!
I am bit confused here. What were these people (who must of them leave in the southern part of Dominia) doing in Savane Paille? are they co owners of these villas? Did they know where Savane Pialle before this developpement was made? He is wrong to use firearm but they just trying to prevednt a poor man from being somebody. What have the all done to develop Dominica apart from just talking. Give the man a break!
So the gathering at the Villas was not political so why was the visiting party not composed of a more cross section of our society but UWP & DFP activist
Bubbles presented to the court the ultimate document of land ownership (A CERTICATE OF TITLE) but yet that did not satisfy that ostentacious & verbose prosecutor he wanted more detailed
information which’ had it been answered would have utterly confused him (share capital, preffered stock, voting & non voting shares , paid up capital etc etc)
What ever happened to the age old maxim ” A man home is his castle, the sun and rain may enter uninvited but the king of england may not do likewise”. Clayton you lied under oath by stating that the gun was held to the womans head the weapon was not even pointed in her direction shame on you , you pseudo DOCTOR your slip is showing Clayton you are displaying the same attitude you used against W.S Stevens during your activism days in the sixties. The power you seek will always elude you
The magistrate is caught between a rock and a hard place. Orders from above –hmmmm. The magistrate has to think very seriously about a job if he rules against bubbles. In this time where everyone is frantic about the crime wave we aught to consider serious penalties for the possession of illegal firearms. From what we know about the magistrate we can safely assume that he is itching to drop the hammer on bubbles. If we put the politics aside the possession of this gun should be the critical issue here. Right off the bat- Bubbles my friend you are wrong. Further more a professed Christian and sometimes preacher resorting to such violence. I would like to ask the pastors is that the kind of advice you give your flock.
This case is sweltered with corruption and politics. The magistrate’s decision may very well be politically influenced. The order to return the gun to bubbles is obviously politically influenced. To me that equates to returning the gun to BOYEE- the guy who shot someone last week in Portsmouth. A first grade student should be able to figure out where the order came from- Definitely not God.
To the people who support corruption or deny that there is corruption note that the stench of corruption in government filters through society in ways that you can’t imagine. The more they coverup is the more the stench intensifies. The stench leaks out of every crevice. Unfortunately Bubbles has weaved himself into a mess just to protect some filthy politicians. To those of us familiar with the community of savan paille and Morne a luis we
assure you that Bubbles know Copral Austrie. Morne a luis to Bubbles house is one mile. In fact Bubbles could very say that he doesn’t know Reginald Austrie. Lie #1 . Bubbles how can you confuse $1000 to $ 1000000. Lie #2. Bubbles how can you not know the cash flow for your Villa. Lie #3. How can you not remember who called you to return the gun Lie #4. Bubbles you design the villas- Architect and Engineer too wow. Lie #5. AND THEY CALL THEMSELVES CHRISTIANS.
Bubbles you better come clean while it is early. You lied under oath and submitted false proof of ownership to the court. Dude are you aware of the mess that you are creating. Bubbles my friend when the fire get really hot you may be on your own while the real culprit is somewhere enjoying his non extradition privileges. If things turn out well for you bubbles one day one day you will have to transfer ownership and we will be watching as the real owner takes over.
TIME IS THE REVELER. Remember what happened in Jamaica recently? ‘COKE’ was a ‘BIG BOY’ even though he was involved in criminal activities, Gun Running, Drugs, he was seen as a saviour. The news have it that he was admired by politicians, worked closely with a certain Party, was awarded contracts by that Political Party, mobilised people to vote and support that Party. He had close friends in that Party.
Many leaders in the Jamaican Society, professionals, Doctors, Lawyers, etc. etc. people of High Repute, people in authority worked with and condoned what ‘COKE’ was doing. He was even compared to Jesus Christ, giving gifts, money to many people. He controlled entire communities, not because he was involved in legal activities, but because of his illegal trade and influence over both rich and poor. Many were silent about those wrongdoings for years upon years.
Dominicans, do you remember how many innocent people died and the chaos and destruction in Jamaica at that time? Where is that ‘POWERFUL’ and influential BIG BOY now? So some of the law-abiding Jamaican Police were wrong to pursue him and finally arrest ‘COKE’? Is that what some of you Dominicans want to convince people about? With all the wealth, influence and assets, where is he now? Where is ALLEN STANFORD now, the billionaire business man? TIME WILL TELL.
What do the teachings of the BIBLE tell us about CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES, STEALING, LYING, FRAUD AND THOSE WHO ENGAGE IN THOSE ACTS? Does the Bible instruct us Dominicans to support, condone and say nothing concerning wrong acts? So many people in Dominica profess and talk about what scripture says, but they continue to openly support crimes of all kinds. SEARCH YOUR CONSCIENCES DOMINICANS. THE COUNTRY IS BEING SWALLOWED BY CORRUPTION, YET MANY TAKE PRIDE TO SUPPORT THOSE ACTIONS AND THEY ARE BOLD ABOUT IT. WHAT HYPOCRISY AMONG SOME DOMINICANS ABOUT WANTING TO ARREST OR MINIMIZE CRIMES. TIME IS THE REVELER.
How can people comment here (with a straight face) and say that this matter isn’t political? In my mind Bubbles acted a bit too hasty in immediately rushing for a weapon (particularly since the man claims to be a christian). We ALL need to think a bit more before we act (even under intense intimidation and pressure) WHICH WAS CLEARLY WHAT PEOPLE LIKE ATHIE, CLAYTON AND OTHERS HAD IN MIND WHEN THEY WENT TO VISIT THE VILLAS, I.E. TO INTIMIDATE THE MAN!!!
However, that is just the reason why we have so much senseless violence these days. People act too hastily and at the end their right usually ends up passing for wrong. Indeed, in retrospect I’m sure Bubbles must admit that he made a mistake and played right into the hands of his foes!! THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT THESE GUYS WANTED, TO INSTIGATE A VIOLENT RESPONSE!!! Bubbles should have simply sued these guys for tresspass and enjoy his day in court, instead of ending up in the middle of this Kangaroo Court on ilegal gun possession charges (which are really about one thing and one thing only i.e the continued attempts to implicate the PM in the villas ownership) and sadly Bubbles again, under pressure in this politically charged courtroom settings, wilded under the pressure!
I did not realise that Claude Weekes is a PROSECUTOR. I did not even know that he was a lawyer! Interesting!
Hey I support Mr. Alexis. I know him personally to be a good person. I would have done the same if I was in his position. Matter fact i would have shot your …. And you would have to if you saw someone trespassing on your property. I would never believe what Floyd had to say. …(Skerrit didn’t deliver on his promise so what you turn on him.)
What have they done for dominica lately. The man Mr. Alexis is an investor, has many business which employs many persons. What have you all done for your country? On the man property taking pictures! Go get your own, don’t be a jealous…
CAN DNO BANN IGNORANT PEOPLE FROM COMMENTING ON THEIR NEWS SITE? THAT PERSON WHO SPOKE ABOUT SKERRIT HATERS IS SUCH AN IGNORANT FOOOL!
@MB: supprot you hundred percent. yet we want crime to decrese but everbody playing politics. i hate politisc soooooooo much. if it was muanga( deceased0 who held the gun then u wud hear ppl. look at all the other crimes we had and everybody against it as well. and you telling me some ppl came on the property and they did not threaten u and u have gun. so what is the d… purpose of even showing the gun much less to pint it at someone. i mean call the police since apparently he has so much affiliation with them. dats why the gun was returned to him anyways cuz he must be a big boy. i mean we have to come beter than that. i like to be objective. weekes may have his motives but i am being objective. the questions he asked are relevant. you need proof that the property belongs to him that ould make him behave in such manner. AA. and the way he behaved was absolutely wrong.
@Anonymous: Life and death is in the power of the tongue becareful what you ask for
@Ron: a$$whole, WEEKS had every right to question about the ownership because IT WAS TENDERED IN COURT BY BUBBLES DEFENCE LAWYERS TO SHOW THAT THE PEOPLE WErE TRESPASING on BUBBLES LAND.. AND BUBBLES DID A BAD JOB UNDER CROSS EXAMINATION. BECAUSE THE TRUTH ALWAYS COMES OUT FROM DARKNESS. THE TRUTH IS LIGHT..
AND THE LIGHT WILL ALWAYS PREVAIL, ASK JESUS
But how u expect me to conceal the firearm on my person nah..i only had a boxers on and it already had a bigger gun there…lol
@Ron: I cant believe am reading such crap. So you are supporting crime and lawlessness in this country. so because he trying ato upkeep the law you want to get rid of him and those that not upkeeping the law you want to keep them up.
am only giving you a few weeks and you will sing a different tune. Tan toe Tan toe plea tar nou kay wey.
uurgghghh! if he owned the land he should be proud enough to defend himself n answer those questions bold enough to prove that the property is his! IF YOU HAVE THAT MUCH PASSION AND LOVE FOR YOUR PROPERTY TO TAKE A GUN AND WAVE ME OFF YOUR LAND YOU SHUD HAVE THAT MUCH GUT TO ANSWER THOSE QUESTIONS PERTAINING TO YOUR OWNERSHIP OF THAT PROPERTY NO QUESTIONS ASKED! YOU SHOULD BE WILLINGGGG TO GIVE EVIDENCE BECAUSE U HAVE NO RIGHT TO WAVE SMONE OFF SMONE ELSE’S PROPERTY WITH A GUN. …I CANT BELIEVE U SEE THAT AS INAPPROPRIATE! IT IS VERY MUCH APPROPRIATE TO ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS IT WOULD SOLVE THE PROBLEM….
These are some crazy people. Bubbles said, his step-daughter woke him up. That same person said her “uncle”. So they not even sure of their relationship, how could they expect Bubbles to know anything about the villas.
based on Rennith responses, anyone can say this whole thing was a big joke. There is no seriousness and respect for the court. How can he not know anything about a property he owned. How can he say if she was shaking it’s not because of him holding a gun to her head. That man is lying through his teeth.
Why was this gun returned? Is is still an unlicensed gun and he illegally brandished the gun, if the license has expired then u illegally have a gun. Dominicans like to bend the law too much. Alexis’ repliy was very shaky and reading the story u can see lies. How can one own a company and not know basic information about it, that just dont make no sense. He is covering up for somebody and he seems to think he can hide behind the PM, who i am betting had the gun returned to him. Isnt thr police officer Austrie the brother of Reginald Austries hmmm, I wonder.
Belle Beff wat are you tryin too say… don’t judge ppl by there looks…
IF YOU CANNOT PAY A $200.00 FIREARM LICENSE. THEN WHERE YOU GETTING MONEY TO DO ALL THEM MILLLLLION DOLLARS PROJECT?…
I CAN HARDLY GET BY AND I PAY MY FIREARM LICENSE EVERY YEAR ON TIME…
The law is the law even some one trespass on your property you cannot use an iilegal fire arm to go after that person. That’s why there is so much killing in Dominica. How can we as Domincans sit there and justify that what Bubbles did was right . Why didn’t he call the police? Now we trying to inject politics into this. The police took posession of the iilegal fire arm but yet some one in authority call and demand that the (ILLEGAL FIRE ARM) be given back to him. What if that iilegal had been used to killed someone after it was given back to Bubbles. We talking about crimes is on the rise but how can the police fight crime …There are a bunch of ignorant people on here who can’t even have a basic discussion about the facts. All they taking about is labor power and in the mean time the rich is getting richer and the poor has been told to visit the red clinic. Never in my life i would expect such a peace full country like DA would have come to this.
I believe Weekes has just shown his true colors. No wonder he has been spending so much time to the Matt show. Now i see why he is now a hero in the eyes of the Skeritt haters. I think it’s time that Weekes do the honorable thing and resign. It’s rather strange that the judge allowed that line of questioning.
that is why i cannot go church, because if you know what these people are doing is wrong then why should you listen to their forked tongues.
speak of god and do works of the devil, i think this is refered to as false prophet in the bible.
they speak of god every sunday to sunday and yet they lie, bear false witness, decieve, cheat, and find themselves in compromising position inwhich they cannot say wrong is wrong, thus i have to asked myself this question. what is in it for them that they have to defend the prime minister or any minister who have found themselves in similar predicament… this is not a time for politics but a time to make things right and riding dominica of all forms of corruption and ungodly acts.. REMEMBER, what we will reap is what we will sow……
It could not be any clearer. A man who owns a property knows nothing about the property!! The man does not know how much money he owe? The man does not know how much he bought the property? He does not know his birthday? And Bubbles you profess to be a christian? Well, you cannot make a mokery of God. He will smite you Bubbles.
he should have shoot dem rass….
they too dam fast in their ..
@gwatanse: well said, very well said
@genocide: yah i was asleep one night and was woke up by the rising heat and the disability to breath properly ….OOPSSS my house is on fire …OHHH DEAR GOD i’m wearing underwear …I cant go out in public this way , it’s indecent exposure…NOW WHERE ARE MY JEANS….?????
Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but [rather] give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance [is] mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
Bubble Hold fast to what is right and wait and see..
@DVT: are you for real. go back and read the article, the man himself who claims to own the property doesnt know half of the info of his own property, why are u blaming DNO? u’re a lil ungrateful it seems
ADMIN
That’s how it is. The media is always quick to be blamed, esp. DNO. And they don’t have the guts to stand up to Lennox and Matt.
I see jealousy
I see prosecutors politicking
I see men in high political office lying
I see police chief intimidating small officers
I don’t see the reason for taking pictures of villas
I see fear in the bubbles eyes….. He did not expect his business to become a public mess
I see the group of tourist who were taking pictures and feel dissapointed in the names….
I can’t wait to see Benhazin’s decision….. He’s a smart man!!!!!
According to Registry documents, Mr. Alexis answer to when the business address of BlairCourt was changed from Hillsborough Street, Roseau to Granby Street, Portsmouth was off by over 4 months.
Alexis said he bought BlairCourt for $5000 and it had no value, no assets, and no liabilities.
Alexis did not know the share capital, value, and many other basic information of “his” BlairCourt company.
Crime: as owner of BlairCourt Prime Minister Skerrit gave concessions to himself.
Crime: Mr. Alexis under oath committed perjury in several of his answers on the ownership of the land.
Make them pay for trespassing on a hard working man like bubbles property, Jealous they jealous of him. Build all u own villas maychastay.
I dont know what happened because I wasnt there but clayton, floyd and the others were wrong to go on the man property. Further I know for a fact that clayton is a vicious lying SOB. He has lied fry on the radio and in public about several people and distorts the facts. That being said I await the verdict. And what happen to Floyd anyway?? he thought workers would win and was begging for supper early? stupesss boy behave yourself eh
Oh Lord, I done with Dominica…… too much roro in a little country.
Dominicans always find a way to put politics in everything,stop this madness and come together pple.
@<a href="#comment-84333"
THUMPS UP MR WEEKES. The truth will come out sooner or later.People who call themselves CHRISTIANS. aH aH aH MAGWE SA! tHATS A SHAME.
individual*
third eye are you that blind remove the linette fea in your eye am a young indivisual an its apparant that the inspector was doing his job an lennox an matt are uncovering stories an evidences thats being hiding by our present government, is this the path you want us youth to take lying and coneiving where is our intergrity, man common open your eyes or go wash them
leave my damn uncle child alone.pure jealosy that man.he should have killed their royal.
Free Renneth Dem fellas wrong to come on the man private property, so anybody can just trespass
on other people property den, they lucky Renneth doh fire some shots at them, dam Jalousy Domnichen.
I have no problem with the prosecutor of ther case it is his job to prosecute, however I do have a problem with the case in itself. How can a man be charged for defending his property? I dare people to go up to Exotica in Giraudel and start taking picture of Athie and his wife and all what they have. This is ridiculous!!!!!
Now DNO, Bubbles have provided lots of information showing that he owns the said property so saying it is alledged owned is just foolish journalism, you may not print my comments but clearly you all have some serious problems with writing. He owns the property he has the bank documents to show it. YOU AS A JOURNALIST CANNOT CLAIM THE PROPERTIES ARE ALLEDGEDLY OWNED, UNLESS OTHERWISE PROVEN THAT HE DOES NOT!!!!
Could someone answer me…is that the same Villas that was claimed to be owned or partly owned by our prime minister…Maybe DNO can help me there
I voted for the Labour Party, but I am unbiased enough to call a spade a spade! My Skerrit knows very well that he owns the Villas, so he should have just kept his damn mouth shut, rather than come out in public to lie and say the property does not belong to him, only to have this lie shattered to pieces. Don’t they see that every time they lie, the truth comes out?!!
Know de little yard fowls of the labour party have to come and clean up after the Prime Minister, grown men embarassing themselves and their families…shame…shame…shame…
Lovelle is his neice not step daughter
What the heck is going on here? Was any of you in the court? I have been in the court house all that time and your comments do not reflect any knowledge of what happened there.
The facts of the case: Clayton and the gang visited the villas. Bubbles saw the crowd, and went outside with his gun. He said that he only shouted at the people to leave but never brandished the weapon. The woman and the others say that he put the gun to her head. She went to the police to make a report about the weapon placed on her head, Bubbles went to the police to make a report of trespassing. The police investigated, found that the firearm was unlicensed and decided that there was a case to be made against Bubbles. That was done in December last year.
Inspector Weekes is only the prosecutor. He is prosecuting the state’s case with vigor, not a political slant. He does the same for all state’s case. He is prosecuting the case in court presented to him by his investigating officer. Weekes was not even in Portsmouth when the incident took place and was only transfered here in June this year.
About the villas, it was Bubbles lawyer who insisted that ownership of the villas was necessary. Weekes objected saying that “We are prosecuting an intimidation case here, not ownership of villas” but the defense insisted that ownership be established. This, of course, opened the door for inspector Weekes to question the man about the villas that he said he owned. In that cross examination it was clear that the man did not know anything about “his own” property. Because it was so clear that the man could not answer the questions, Behanzin sought to clarify some more by asking a few questions like did you take a loan, from how many banks, do you still owe the banks etc and the man still could not understand.
To accuse the prosecutor of a political agenda is just unfair. He is prosecuting the state’s case the same way he prosecutes a murder case – like he believes what he is doing. This is just the nature of the job.
Is there anyone out there who’s thinking what I’m thinking, now that DNO have published a photo? This man does not own the villas.
Some of you are so politically blinded with ignorance. Why is Weekes suddenly the lamb for slaughter for doing a job he was trained to do. Re-read where it clearly states it was Bubbles defence team who insisted on submitting paperwork on villas as evidence, they were warned that if they did that then they opened Bubbles up to questioning which was right in line, yet even with Isidore seating there and knowing it’s all a fabrication they still allowed it, so what has Weekes done wrong?
There is no denial that Bubbles clearly doesn’t own the villas, this has nothing to do with people wanting to invest and will be harassed. Only in Dominica and ONLY in this new labour government people seem to want to sweep things under the rug, but WHY? is anyone national above the law? When a labour slandered Prevost the lawyer and post his picture of his house all over the place it was justifiable, now there is irrefutable evidence that Bubbles is lying and you all are upset. What kind of Dominica do we want really? How can society function on law and order when people because of politics want to change rules of engagement as they go along?
Should the people be at the villas I suppose no. It can be considered private property, but Bubbles who claims to be a man of GOD needs to search his conscience. Bubbles remember he owns the villas yet he has no information on it, but is Weekes that bad?
It was the very Bubbles who said to DBS news “…THOSE buildings are close to MY buildings..” what more proof does one need?
@The Third Side: Have you and some of the other people coming hear ever heard the quote “It is better to be thought a fool than to open your mouth (or in this case go on your keboard) and be proven as one”?
Unlicensed firearm owned by a “man of faith”….hmmmmm…AND…being ordered from “higher” that it be returned to him. And all you expect crime to stop.
Bubbles have so many legal businesses, why should it be a problem for him to get a LICENSED FIREARM?……………….interesting.
oh god bubbles assualted a person with an illigal fire arm and was not arrested but was given back his illigal fire arm the portsmouth police chharged me in 2004 for possesion of an illigal fire arm although they did not have the fire arm in question.LAQBOUR POWER ALL THE WAY.
MR Alexis you know the road is govt .road . that road was there befor you were born.it goes all the way to the river.
i don’t see anything wrong in the way weeks handled himself in court.the man did what he had to do to strenghten his case.stop this nonsense Dominicans……………………………………………….now i see that the PM is a GOD to you ppl.my ppl please realise what is happening and PRAY PRAY PRAY PRAY for our sweet country
Stupes the man is doing his job and has every right to ask these questions. It don’t have anything to do with politics.
Oh Dominica, see the light! Inspector Weekes is doing his job. The defendant and his attorney know that their God is not pleased with the lies that they told in court. Time will tell
Reading the testimonies from the transcripts of the case written in this report, I do believe the defendant,was not only very inconsistent, and suffered from self induced amnesia at times, but he also perjured himself as well.
My questions in this fiasco are,(1) why was there a firearm involved in the first place,(2) What was the reason,or reasons for the need of that firearm?…(3) If person or persons trespasses on your property, they were not armed as far as you could tell, they were not in any way damaging your property,.they were not threatening to harm you, nor your family, and you ask them why are they on your property,and subsequently,you ask them to leave and they refused to do so. Why not first call the Police?…Were there any calls made to the Police by the defendant?…. (4) And last, but not least,why was he only charged with “intimidation”?…Intimidation?.This is ridiculous!..what a joke…Something smells rotten!.
There are rules of angagement involving the use of firearms, you know.
The Law makes certain provisions pertaining to firearms,and they are very clear.
Anyway,all the best to all of you….and,..
Peace profound!!
Mr. Weekes is a good prosecutor and trained as well but sometimes he allows emotion to get the better part of him.
The questions with respect to the ownership of the company, who he bought it from, for how much, when he acquired it, the share capital……what does that have to do with a group of UWP supporters converging on the man’s property?
What would you have done if a mob of people who are obviously politically driven came on your property with media personel, taking photographs and making comments? which businessman in D/ca would like that? come on people, Atherton Martin blocked other residents of Beau Bois because he said that was his entrance to his hotel. YES HE BLOCKED THEM FROM PASSING THERE…and not even the police tried to stop him when it was reported.
There were live on Q95 telling the WORLD how beautiful the villas are with a complete description of it and it was cool, nobody thought to tell them to leave the man’s property alone. Then after that they went DIRECTLY to a political meeting! Well if you were SO FRIGHTENED and SHAKING LIKE A LEAF, how is it that you did not go DIRECTLY to the POLICE STATION?
Let us see what Benhanzin will rule…….and remember there is ALWAYS APPEAL, like his other matters!!
Do you not read? Weekes was not the one who introduced the matter of ownership of villas into evidence. He first objected to it but Alexis’ lawyer insisted in using it as evidence that Bubbles had the right to defend the villas. The magistrate then allowed it in as evidence. When the thing backfired on the Defence they started to cry foul. Weekes had a perfect right as with any Prosecutor to bore holes in the ownership evidence of the Defence, since there has been some doubt about that in the public domain. That is what Prosecutors are supposed to do in any country anywhere, that is his job here too. So rather than let political bias blind your eyes please open them again and read first and then make comments.
Reading all these is so amazing, on the day in question WE Dominicans seems to forget that was Played out lived on Q95FM, I heard it , Arthie Martin was dere in was in the Villia he gave a good review of the inside of the Villas,even the colours too, this was a planned visit to the site, people were asked by Lennox Linton days before on HIS Radio programme to take their picnic basket and Family to view this Villias, lets make it a day out he said. We all heard this Man asking Arthie and his band of merry men to leave his pleace and that they were trespassing, we all heard it Live on Q95 FM, we also hear that the lady doing the filming was asked to stop and move. now they are in court I am reading all this SHIT, were is Arthie, Lennox, Matt and that Anglo ? why are they not in Court to? This is a a game but the UWP to prove that PM ownes this VIllias.
GOD WHEN WILL ALL THIS STOP.
This case is in Court now, , that was quick, you have the three young men that were killed about the same tall this happened, the peole who are charge with their killing is still on bail, no date when this case will be heard, but this CASE is top of the List, Lord how sick are we in DOMINICA?
Invasion of privercy,could have been worst.uwp so called investigators will try what ever to put the DLP down.
The inspector is Doing his work how do you put a gun to someones head on a property that is not yours —hence the evidence is required as to whether you own the property that you so widely defended both on the day of the incident and in court.
Point 1.2 —-if you own the property then so be it you were within rights to do everything to protect your investment
Point 1.3 —-at what point did you identify your self as the owner after you had placed the gun to the head or did you do the polite thing in meeting the persons on your so called property peacefully walk across to them and inquire what was their business there —-did you get a we dont care attitude from them —-and why from your end as a property owner did you not call the police not knowing who they could have being before leaving the safety of your home —–
getting there realising they were not contentious individuals why did you cause such a Commotion —Renith Be the catholic i know you are —you are a financier in some ways of the DLP machinery but in a bigger way you got help for these villas ——be true to yourself my brother and live up to the legacy of Pm Douglas –(God Rest His Soul) and not get yourself entagled in the crossword puzzles of Pm Skerrit (God Protect Him )
@MH:
In my opinion the defendant lied all the way and if this magistrate is as tough and fair as he wants us to believe, then he will find in favour of the prosecution.
The owns a business which he has spent vast sums of money on hoping to build an empire and he cannot remember key facts about its runnings, any business where the owner or key managers memory is a lacking as this man would not survive.
If he cannot remember key facts about his business, strange how hw remembers every fact about the incedents. Anyone whos memory is that bab would struggle with the truth 10 months on.He is a thug, a bully and a liar.
Listen people, Officer Weekes is a Police prosecutor. His job is to prosecute. So never mind the fan fair. You know, what really concerns me is the hypocricy of some of you Dominicans.
I am sure Insp Weekes in all his ‘honesty’ has done favors for his friends or so called christians in the line of his duties. I am not hear to judge him. Let God be his judge.
You know our present state of ALMOST-PSYCHOTIC-HYPROCRICY is what’s killing Dominica. The thing is, everyone of you whether abroad or residing in Dominica has done it. When your family member gets in trouble, you call a Police Inspector or so and so to give them a break.
I have been an investigator for several years in a major agency. The truth is, you have a better chance of getting justice served in Dominica than ‘in this country’. Despite of how backwards some of you regards Dominica.
People don’t cloud your judgment. This is Dominica, because of our nature we have always shared that communal togetherness. Don’t try to criticize someone in authority actions on an international forum to try to discredit each other when we ourselves have in one way or the other benefited from the same esprit de corps (spirit of togetherness) that has made our country so beautiful (some how ethically that does not sound right, but it is the truth).
Believe me, the situation is no better ‘overseas’, as a matter of fact it is actually worst. Don’t be deceived by perception.
Dominica will always be my home.
Driveways are a public convenience required by planning especially in buildings granted concessions and built for or being built for rental.
Concessions are granted under condition that they are for creating employment and public service.
Unless fenced off and locked gate they are being advertised for public scrutiny.
.
This case will demonstrate if the court has any credibility or is nothing but a tool used by the DLP to deny justice to the Dominican public.
Wearing underwear in public is indecent exposure.
@ third side, stupes!!!!!
if i understand what was said in this court room clearly, mr alexis was in possesion of a unlicend fire armed. the priminister talk about tough laws on fire armed, so it means that bubles is guilty of posesion of unlicend fire armed. if i dont own a property , i can”t ask some one to leave so the prosecution is right to ask mr alexis about ownership of the property. if it was a visitor taking pictures, mr alexis would never come out with a gun as much to brandish it. bottom line is , he is guilty and he should pay for his action. now tell me da people, should every one that is found in possion of a unlicend fireamed that the police should give back to them? who is this higher authority that oder the police to give mr alexis back that ilegal weapon? some thing is wrong with this leadership in dominica.
But weeks not easy eh
This article was wonderfully written. I am very proud of the writer. This is the kind of writing that we need here on DNO. This article has a lot of detail and I almost feel like I was in the courtroom. Congrats!
Now here is my opinion, everyone’s story seems to have a lot of holes but I believe Mr. Alexis when he says that he did not put the gun to the woman’s head. I believe that he just wanted them to get off his property and therefore wielded a gun in order for them to follow his orders. Yes, it was a scare/intimidation tactic but wouldn’t we all have done the same thing?
Why would this man have put a gun to the lady’s hair? I don’t understand that. And I don’t get why ownership of the villas matter. What does that even have to do with an intimidation case?
Anyway, good job DNO!!
does everything in this country have to b political? MR Alexis said they were trespassing on property Mr. Weeks was just making sure that the property which the man claim the people were trespassing was really Mr. Alexis own but we Dummi in a can so politically minded will see everything RED N BLUE, This is killing our country, Time these nonsense stop!!! Mr. Weeks is the best police it have for now even better than the head of police himself,
So I see a potential situation rearing its ugly head where legitimate hard working Dominicans will be scared to invest….you will be coined corrupt and then you will be traumatized by the likes of matt and lennox and the uwp and when you do retaliate or defend yourself, you will be brought to court and dragged through legal proceedings.
This is a very bad precedence that is occurring in Dominica and I see it will get ugly pretty fast.
yes and de commisioner is now the poster child for non partisanship
@The Third Side: im not being political. he is simply unbiased. you need to know ownership of the villas to know if he reakky had right to ask them to leave. the questions are quite relevant. weekes may be political but im looking at this at an unbiased standpoint and a very objective one at that that. forget politics and let us look at the relevance of the questions, DATS WHY I HATE POLITICS. GOVET COME .GOVT GO. chupes man.
OH how i cant wait for Oct 12 th.
well welll well…lets see what will happen
weeks on the other side . we need to give him long leave from the police force. weeks must go. we know ur true colours brother man.
That’s a classic!
It appears to me that Weekes has a political Axe to grind and this is not keeping in the objectiveness and fairness of being a police officer and now a prosecutor.
I had a lot of respect for you, but you are now making your politics are little to glaring.