Magistrate Behanzin breaches law; 2 sentences successfully appealed

Magistrate Behanzin

By Hermisha Rolle, Staff reporter

Magisterial Appeals against the convictions of two men who stood before Magistrate Tiyani  Behanzin last year have been dealt with at the Court of Appeal.

In both instances, Magistrate Behanzin was ruled to have been in breach of the laws in his sentences.

Clement Labassarie walked out of the Court of Appeal a free man, after being incarcerated for the past 10 months on charges of assault, threats and battery.

Additionally, the amount of time Vincent Mingo is now liable to spend in jail in default of him paying an $8,000 fine was reduced. He was sentenced for the possession of a controlled drug.

Labassarie and Mingo put their submissions forward during the Magisterial Criminal Appeals against their convictions this morning.

Labassarie, who faced charges of threats and throwing missiles, battery and five charges of assault was sentenced to a total of 27 months in jail last year. According to the Court of Appeal, the defendant should have spent a lesser amount of jail time.

The Justices of Appeal said that the accumulative sentence for the five assault charges were not to  have exceeded six months jail time, but went up to 15 months. Labassarie was ordered by Magistrate Behanzin to serve three months for each assault charge consecutively.

According to the Court of Appeal, “that was in total breach of Section 88.”

“Without you having to say a word we realized that the magistrate was wrong, but to a limited extent…,” one of the Justices of Appeal remarked.

The sentence as it relates to the  five assault charges was reduced to an accumulative six months imprisonment.

“And in relation to all the other charges the sentences are reprimanded and discharged,” the Justice of Appeal said.

The Court of Appeal ruled that the charges of threats, battery, and throwing missiles be recorded as time already served in jail.

“The sentence is now spent and he is discharged,” the Justice of Appeal added.

Labassarie was incarcerated since May 20, 2009. He represented himself at the hearing today.

The Court of In the matter of Vincent Mingo, who was ordered to pay a fine of $8,000 to be paid by July 15, 2009 or in default he spends 18 months in prison. This was varied by the Court of Appeal today.

The Court of Appeal ruled that Mingo who had pleaded guilty to the possession of cannabis should only face a maximum of six months jail time if he failed to pay the fine. Behanzin had ordered him to pay the $8,000 fine by July 15, 2009 or spend 18 months in prison.

However, the Court of Appeal ruled that Magistrate Behanzin was unreasonable in that judgment, and that the period of imprisonment in default of payment should be reduced.

Mingo was therefore ordered to pay the $8,000 within the next six months or he will spend six months prison.

Attorney Don Christopher represented Mingo.

Another matter involving an appeal of Magistrate Behanzin’s sentencing involving Armstring Drigo was traversed to the next Court of Appeal sitting in November 2010. Drigo was represented by Attorney-at-Law Levi Peter.

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89 Comments

  1. travaile
    March 2, 2011

    Well Mr. Labassier has finally killed an elderly man, i guess that is what the court of appeal wanted. Mr. Tehanzi is a damn good judge and his ruling should be respected. I guess he has just left them with their feet in their mouths. take that.

  2. s c
    April 22, 2010

    what a travesty in this country. It is all about greed and more greed, if the law breakers are sent away for the crimes they commit, then the liars oh sorry the lawyers won’t have the big boys to work for, to charge them the big bucks. It is all about the lawyers pockets and not the well being of our country, but i dere say, be very careful and pray long and hard because we are heading to destruction and by the time we take stock it will be too late. we must regret what we stand by and allow wrong to be called good. BAD THINGS HAPPEN WHEN GOOD PEOPLE STAND BY AND LET EVIL PREVAIL.

  3. Anonymous
    April 22, 2010

    I support Benhanzin 100%. Let the Justice system do their thing. Time will tell. Just do your job my brother and let the appeal court do their thing. You are working in the interest of our country and not for yourself. Rosie would be proud of you. Continue to stand up against the stupid and wicked judicial system which has crime on a spiral increase. Just do what you have to do. I wish you all the best Benhanzin.

  4. observer
    April 22, 2010

    this does not encourage one to be inclined towards the CCJ. Does It?. What think you out there?.

  5. dull dog!!
    April 21, 2010

    I wonder how people would feel iof they knew that Labastier’s crimes was an alcali attack on a public bus full of school children from Vielle Case! some of them still have difficulties with their eye sight. Why did the state not defend any of Behanzin’s sentences? why did the DPP not mention that these criminals had several previous convictions? Why was behanzin’s reasons not included? why did they simply take Chief Magistrates’ word that she gave behanzin time to complete, when he contionued to complain that he was being undermind by the chief magistrate and that his staff were not taking his instructions?

    Chief Magistrates’ brother is a Court of Appeal member, what is the relationship with Chief magistrate and the same Court of appeal members ….??? They came here to put him in his place!!

  6. Willy
    April 21, 2010

    if a magistrate cannot obey the law who should

  7. Willy
    April 21, 2010

    No one hgas spent a second to mention the loads of peresons sent to jail … and had to remain there because they cannot afford to appeal. An injustice is unjust by what ever name and it is not because you are a Douglas or hope to revive your fathers legacy you have reason to tom adopt an abitary approch to sentencing with no regard for the law. This is serious

  8. Vex with Them
    April 21, 2010

    This is just a way of undermining Behanzin. He has a hearing pending and so any bad reports will seek to justify the local lawyers case.

    Don’t worry Behanzin when you are gone they will be calling for you. You are doing a fine job but honestly, right now, I would resign from the position and leave Dominica. Leave Dominica for Dyer, don and the others.

    Good Luck and keep the faith.

    • ti bwy
      April 21, 2010

      Amazing, this lawmaking thing. A handfull of people years ago made the laws to suit the times. The times they are changing. The crimes they are changing. If the magistrate had sentenced those guys and they were innocent, I could see the point. But they are guilty. Are we that anxious to have them back on the streets?

    • Sister sister
      April 22, 2010

      They are undermining you but they will pay. DNO why dont you interview some of the police officers who dealt with Benhanzin’s matters to hear what really went on. The judiciaries in DOminica has led the court of appeal judges to believe that these appeal cases in relation to Benhanzin were with first time offenders, which is not the case. People who got harsh sentences from Benhanzin were repeated offenders, but i pray when things turn bad in DA they dont call on Benhanzin. Benhanzin get out of Da and go to some other place where you will be appreciated. We never appreciate what is our own but when we move elsewhere and do exceedingly great, we remember that he or she is Dominican. I feel sorry for Dominicans. Focussing on your personal feelings against a man who wants good for the country and not taking into consideration the welfare and peace of the country.

      They set him up, but put out all their default at the same time. The pit they are trying to dig for Behanzin, they are falling into it. God is with you Behanzin, they will regret their actions, just like they regretted getting rid of YOU FOLLOW.

      Investigate DNO, investigate. That was a total set up.

  9. student
    April 21, 2010

    This Magistrate just feels that he is above the law and does whatever he pleases for good name so that persons may say that crime is on a decline…Come on be real…He has to act rationally and with t
    he laws….Thats just it….

    • Anonymous
      April 22, 2010

      When the crime reach on your doorstep, you will cry for Benhanzin…………… but he will not be there. Who laugh last laugh the best. What Law???

    • Sister sister
      April 22, 2010

      wait till the crime hit your door step…hope you wont be singing a different song.

  10. proverbs
    April 21, 2010

    The cry of the people is the voice of God

  11. dominica diva
    April 21, 2010

    the magistrate is doing a good job..imagine people he is doig such a good job that right now people think before they act…before people would s ay that they wiill do the crime and pay t he money then they think twice there for e creating a brighter and safe comunitty………good job mr tyhani………………..

  12. law and order
    April 21, 2010

    I guess Tiyani will be spreading his propaganda that the justices of appeal judges have a conspiracy against Behanzin too!

    Tiyani needs to understand that we are not in a totalitarian state and that he is not lord of all. There is no room here for barbarism and vigilante justice. We have moved past that.

  13. Anonymous
    April 21, 2010

    good job Tiyani! By the way? is he from D/A? can some one tell me

    • Anonymous
      April 21, 2010

      He is Dominican born son of former Prime Minister Roosevelt Douglas, and went to study overseas.

      • Fairplay
        April 21, 2010

        The Qu’ran says that Muslims and Christians cannot be friends. It is the duty of Islamists to terrorise the non-muslims.

        • Don't You Wish?
          April 22, 2010

          Whats your point?

  14. ZiroD
    April 21, 2010

    If this is our judiciary system’s best attempt at upholding law and order, in an effort to promote human rights in D/ca – then God help us all. The threat to order is by no means Magistrate Tiyani Behanzin. There are plenty of dangerous criminals in D/ca, not nearly enough of whom are caught and punished.

    Up to now, those who wished to suppress public debate of law and order have been largely successful. In D/ca, solutions can only be found through discussion, and there are three aspects which urgently need to be addressed: the related questions of family, education and the social services, plus policing and community leadership.

    There are people who live in glass houses throwing stones – the real cancer of Dominica.

    Please allow commonsense to prevail and let Magistrate Behanzin continue his effective work of ridding D/ca of its civilian’s lawbreaking ills.

    I have faith in you Tiyani – go get the lawbreaker and clean-up our Nature Isles.

  15. Eric Cartman
    April 21, 2010

    He is not a ‘good magistrate’ if he isn’t abiding by the law.

    If the sentence for a crime is 5-10 years, the lenient magistrates give 5 and he gives 10 i’m ok with that.

    But the maximum sentence can’t be 10 yrs and he’s giving 15. That’s the real issue here people stop acting ignorant.

    • Chief prosecutor
      April 21, 2010

      he never exceeded the penalties. check the records

  16. concern
    April 21, 2010

    To err is human the magistrate is human,he made a mistake in his judgement that doesnt mean to say he is not doing a good job. Dominicans must embrace the peace and tranquility that we have
    cant we see what has happened to jamaica,trinidad ,st vincent and st lucia.we are slowly crawling into that world. Those criminals contribute nothing to DA they committ the crimes let them serve the time.

  17. Hmm
    April 21, 2010

    Wow…well I hope we are opening our eyes and ears. St Kits (just over the water) has less than 40,000 people; boasting how they are so developed when compared to Dominica……ok. THere were 27 recorded murders last year. So far this year, they have had 13; the highest in the Caribbean and second highest in the World. In fact, there were 4 murders in one week in April………….about 90% of these cases are unsolved…………..food for thought.

  18. Roots
    April 21, 2010

    We need to have the criminals afraid of the law, so they won’t continue committing the same crimes. When we reduce the punishment to a pat on the hand, crime in Dominica will continue to rise. Why is the “Court of Appeal” …. protecting thieves? This puts the security of Dominicans at risk.

    • Sister sister
      April 22, 2010

      the court of appeal is a professional name for the mercy committee

  19. W
    April 21, 2010

    Good Morning Dominica!

    Let’s approach this from a financial stand point. And maybe we can come to an understanding as to who has an interest in being light handed and putting these criminals back on the streets.

    We need to have a strong deterrent to have these basters think twice before violating people and the nation…

    Who are the beneficiaries from this up surge of criminal actives in our country?
    We all know who the non-beneficiaries are, The families and victims.

    And if my thinking is wrong, why then; the delay in strengthen the laws and creating conditions that would help reduce the criminal activities we all complain about. Instinctively we all know the path we’re going down is not the right path for us…

    • Do say
      April 21, 2010

      So true. Agree to that.

  20. My only solace
    April 21, 2010

    Hi court system and government… LISTEN to the voice of the people.

    Maybe, just maybe, they are saying something by supporting Behanzin even if his judgements were wrong.

    NONE of us want a lawless land. And we will never know when the person murdered is our child, brother or friend, or the person battered is we ourselves.

    Is it that Behanzin is in a battle by himself… Where Dca needs some degree of legislative reform, but that won’t be pursued feverishly because the bigger the crime and the drug pusher, the bigger the case and the bigger the lawyer fees to cash in?

    I’m of the impression that our lawyers are all God fearing, but wonder if at times are able to look to natural law ‘the conscience’ for guidance. Unfortunately or fortunately (I don’t know), it appears that our ‘patriotic’ lawyers are soooo good that rapists, kidnappers, crack sellers, murderers walk free and innocent lives are lost or left traumatized.

    But anyhow, and after all, there is a judge looking over ALL of us and we all know who HE is. That’s my only solace in this country right now.

  21. contributor
    April 21, 2010

    Thumbs up to Behanzin…. you have tried your best to reduce crime and other lawlessness. these people are hypocrites! but we go see, it seems they want our country to end up like st. lucia, st. kitts and the others.

  22. Not pleased
    April 21, 2010

    This is nonsense people can’t you see what is happening more criminals are being released and walking among us making the streets a dangerous. I tell you wee need more magistrates like Behanzin. I think they are trying to hard in trying to find dirt on Behanzin, leave the man alone people. Look the man have Wesley at a silent for now so long we’ve been longing for that to happen. No other magistrates could have made it possible. I AM UPSET!!

  23. April 21, 2010

    what levi peters representing Armstrong Drigo!.. eh well tables turn.. remember when levi was magistrate in portsmouth.. He knows he knows he knows…. money can change man we! them lawyers love money too much. that will backfire. Mr. Peters let your conscience judge you! I respect you so miuch but this one.. all time low for you..

  24. still
    April 21, 2010

    what does the law say. i can assault anyone as much as i want but only go to jail for six months… SWEET… boy wat a system Five assault charges and six months he should haave commited 7 or 8 and serve less time per crime.

    • j
      April 22, 2010

      hmmm…

  25. shame
    April 20, 2010

    By allowing killers to go by with a slap on the wrist, what is going to happen to our people, they will just continue to kill people for no reason, more dead bodies will show up on the streets, the laws needs to be reviewed these criminals are getting away to easy and they know it, they will easyly go stock farm for the three months cool out instead of paying the $8000, then come out fat and rested and commit a crime again, court of appeal if you are the ones who review the laws, this is the time to start taking a look at them and do something before it gets out of hand.

  26. jane
    April 20, 2010

    i hope the ppl they let walk do not come back with the same thing infront them cause he think he can do it again and take the same road so let it be the kind of justice we have i dominica

  27. t-t
    April 20, 2010

    those in authority who let these criminals go free,do they have any kids?i want those same criminals to tear them in pieces so they themselves can pass their own judgement.are those criminals working for those people who represented them.bills***.

  28. Ja
    April 20, 2010

    The law in dominica is a joke and trust me until they put some people with sense in power it will remain that way.

  29. haitianbabes
    April 20, 2010

    IF HE SO BAD WHY DEM CRIMINALS DOH WANT TO GO BEFORE HIM, AND THEY DEM SELVES DAT SAYING DAT U KNOW. LET HIM JUDGE DEM CROOKED HAITIANS DAT MESSING AROUND IN OUR COUNTRY, GOOD JOB MY MAGISTRATE, DON’T LOSE FOCUS.

  30. HAIL
    April 20, 2010

    Dominica is sliding down a dangerous path,and if we are not careful criminals will take over our streets.Love you Tiyani.

  31. Grand Bayrian
    April 20, 2010

    I am often asked what is wrong with us as a people, I refused to believe we are a bunch of stupid people, but I whole heartedly believe we Dominicans are a bunch of wicked people. We have a system that seems to protect the criminals and forget all about the victims. Its time our so ccaled leader revist the laws, and amend the laws to better address the crie situation in Dominca. I see Mr. Behanzin trying to send a message that crime don’t pay, on the other hand the court of appeals is saying well the sentence is to harsh. Only in Dominica.

  32. watching
    April 20, 2010

    so levi peter! so you come? you know better!

  33. Mr. RIGHT
    April 20, 2010

    We are living in the last days where man is calling good evil and evil good but Christ will return soon and set things straight… Mr. Behanzin you are doing a great job.. just make sure u have Christ on your side.. With Christ no man can keep u down

  34. Unknown
    April 20, 2010

    ……………..I………………..,

    the crimes should be committed against you or a memeber of ur family.IDIOT!!!get with the program.

    • .........I..........
      April 21, 2010

      Do you know why there are laws regarding court officials who soever you are? Do you think of the many people who are innocent who sit in jail because of being wrongly convicted or prosecutorial or judges failure to do their jobs.
      I dont have time to respond to you in a long text preschooler. Uneducated people and those who have little respect for the law are the problems with this poor little country Dominica.

  35. tom brown
    April 20, 2010

    each ofences carrier its own sentence. if the man has five charges it is five different sentences. so the magistreate is correct in his sentencing …dominica will continue to be lawless.

    • Don't You Wish?
      April 21, 2010

      I agree. That was my same line of reasoning. If he has 5 assault charges he should get five maximum sentences. And if the max for assault is 10 yrs, me as the judge would give him 10 yrs for each charge, making it 50. He should have get more in my opinion.

  36. tiyani supporter
    April 20, 2010

    Tiyani is the best- let them free all those criminals – those lawyers just looking for their pocket – that is the drug they takin. tiyani will continue to be my #1 magistrate- doh matter wat! leave him alone

  37. yoland
    April 20, 2010

    IS THOSE ….THAT WE CALL LAWYERS AND THOSE CHICKEN MAGISTRATES THAT HAVE THE CRIME RATE RISING IN PARADISE THE HATE god AND love CRIMES LEAVE TYANI ALONE LET HIM DO GODS WORK HEAVEN FOR TYANI HELL FOR THOSE LAWYERS AND THOSE CHICKEN MAGISTRATES

  38. yoland
    April 20, 2010

    Well now peaceful Dominicans have no rights those Magistrate in the court of appeal should all be placed in jail for allowing those dangerous criminals to walk our streets free again Tyani God will bless you ant may the hands Of God be against those hypocrites lawyers and magistrates for their own destruction i wish the criminals come for them and their family to make them fill the pains that we fill LONG LEAVE TYANI never give up the fight Dominicans will stand with you

  39. dominican in miami
    April 20, 2010

    man this guy Clement i know him very well he should be in jail long time and for a very long time god bless the people of vieille case

  40. Observer
    April 20, 2010

    Continue allowing all kinds of criminals to walk on all kinds of flimsy pretexts. We will end up like St Kitts just now, or worse! Watch and see!!
    All of a sudden convicts have all kinds of rights; they are suddenly sorry for there deeds, and victims are WRONG!!!

  41. FBD
    April 20, 2010

    Oh my God ! ! why are Dominicans so shortsighted ? ?
    Magistrate Behanzin , may the Great hand of my Heavenly Father contine you to guide and protect you.
    Please do not allow the decision of the Court of Appeals to deter you in your quest to make Dominica a better place and that includes the safety of the judges themselves.

    Blessings Magistrate ! !

  42. voice of reason
    April 20, 2010

    Ok maybe Labassarie received too much time as the law states that he cannot serve more than six months but what criteria was used to determine that Mingo was excessive? I agree that this seems like a personal attack on Behanzin and in an effort to discredit the young magistrate criminals are getting an early Christmas. Woe to he who calls good evil and evil good.
    We need to revist the laws. How do we deter crime when the punishment is a slap on the wrist? I’m fed up of the level of crime in my beautiful island and it sickens me that those who we have entrusted to protect and pass judgement can be so corrupt in their judgement.

    LORD HELP MY COUNTRY

  43. .........I..........
    April 20, 2010

    Regular citizens who never had a day in court, you all know the kind, (those that think they will never reach in a court but know all about the law) are always first to defend a judicial incompetency!

    Know your rights people and even criminal have rights. Behanzin is a servant of the court, a servant of the state. He wasn’t appointed as a bounty hunter or someone who the law doesn’t apply to. Their are rules and laws that are in place to ensure that the servants of the court provide each person before them a fair trial or hearing.

    Killers don’t go free most of the time because of good defense lawyers, criminals go free because of bad judges and magistrates who make bad decisions and those who infact break the law to achieve their own goals. Behanzin ain’t nothing but a magistrate looking to have a whole bunch of “sentencings” on his cases so he can achieve a higher position than where he is.

    • DOM
      April 21, 2010

      Very well said…

      • Do say
        April 21, 2010

        Ah ha, really? Is there competition amongst you guys? Sounds like that to me.

        Would be nice if you could let us regular citizens know how higher can Behanzin go (1), and (2) if his judgments are out of line, how far does he expect to go? We are guessing that he’s aware of making wrong decisions…? Thanks

        • .........I..........
          April 21, 2010

          Well if you think the position Behanzin is in currently is the furtherest he can reach within the courts in the Dominica or the Caribbean then there is no need to explain anything at all to you. Is Sir Brian Alleyne and Behanzin on same level? You answer that question for yourself because apparently you think the bucks stops at just being a magistrate in a tiny island is as far as they are able to reach.

          Secondly, off course there is competition between defense attorneys and the prosecution. There is comeptition between defense lawyers as well. But what you regular citizens should be looking at is how far will your prosecutors go to win a case. How far will you magistrates and judges go to get to the next level and create a name for themselves.

          Criminals have rights like anyone whether you al like it or not.

          Just for your info when it comes to magistrates and judges there isn’t room for mistakes in reading the law and executing the law the way it is suppose to be. There is also no room for big egos and self promotion.

          When Judges and magistrates make mistakes thats when the killers go free! When the police taint evidence and are furthermore corrupted thats when criminals go free. Criminals can walk scot free on a bad decision by a judge who oes beyond his reach in the law. I have seen murderers with all the evidence walk because of some crazy prosecutor misconduct or judges misconduct.

          Know your rights folks! Until all you get a in trouble defense lawyers are the scum of the earth right. But wait till something happens to your family or friend all off a sudden defense lawyers don’t look so bad right?

    • Don't You Wish?
      April 21, 2010

      Seems to me you are affiliated with someone who received a harsh sentence from the magistrate. Or maybe you are one yourself.

    • Interesting
      April 21, 2010

      Aren’t lawyers supposed to be servants of the courts also? But some of you well seasoned lawyers, who think people should tremble at the mention of your names, go into the courts, and believe that you own them (maybe you do, seeing that some lawyers are such good friends with some magistrates), Sorry Tyanni is around. Do your jobs efficiently and stop wating people’s time and money, plzzzzzzz.

      You’ll take oaths, sometimes i really wonder why that bible don’t burn u’ll hands, cause the time wasting and poor representation that people receive is not even funny. ALL FOR THE LOVE OF MONEY.

      I’m sorry that the young magistrate has overstepped some of his boundaries and i’m sure he’ll learn from his errors, but for sure he has shaken the judicial system in Dominica, and lawyers will learn to give people proper representation inorder that they don’t look like shit in court. Cause tyanni will call them out.That’s great!!!!!!!

      We are the nature isle, as such, let our behavoirs reflect that.

    • Sister sister
      April 22, 2010

      Benhanzin doesnt need any upgrade in position..what is wrong with you? why dont you learn the facts before yu come ranting? you dont know about anything which goes on in the court. My man is a police officer who works in the court and it is a disgace to hear the lengthsthat these lawyers and magistrates are going through to discredit the young magistrate. Find out whether or not they sent along the documents which shows that these criminals are repeated offenders? Please educate yourselves. Please know what is going on. Some of us run our mouths until the criminal activities end up on our doorsteps.

  44. Magistrate BWA Mango
    April 20, 2010

    Amstrong Drigo- Please send him away for a long time

  45. lord help
    April 20, 2010

    all i know the man had them man in there bolls they were afraid of going infront him so he is good .the law much change remember before man never had guns like now .so time changes and the law must change to meet the times

  46. possiemasive
    April 20, 2010

    Now Look who is representing Mr Drigo… hahahah. This is a travesty…

    I cant support Levi Peter on this one.

  47. hmmmmmmmm
    April 20, 2010

    pure crap dat, u do the crime, pay the time, wat kind of signal are they sending out there, i believe in stiff penalties>>>>

  48. Eric Cartman
    April 20, 2010

    OK peeps. Let’s be sensible here. Harsh sentences are OK but they must be within the sentencing guidelines.

    Its nonsensical to say the Appeal Court is wrong. HE was wrong. And this ruling actually vindicates the Chief Magistrate who I’ve seen a lot of people bashing on here.

    • Don't You Wish?
      April 21, 2010

      Please!

  49. Rolle
    April 20, 2010

    I support Behanzin 100%. The whole system is corrupt…

  50. WOW
    April 20, 2010

    True the law is the law, but I hope they do not regret the judgments for these law offenders. I just see this people trying to keep a good man down. Keep your head up Behanzin.

  51. COMMUNIST
    April 20, 2010

    HOPE THAT THE BALL WILL TURN AGAINST ALL THOSE OF U WHO CONSTANTLY SEEK THE DOWNFALL OF THIS YOUNG MAN THEN WE WILL SEE HOW U ALL FEEL. SEEK TO DISTROY HIM BECAUSE HE IS DOING A GOOD JOB BUT THOSE THAT ALLOW CRIMINALS TO GO FREE APPLAUD THEM. THATS HOW WICKED DOMINICANS ARE TODAY

  52. JUSTICE
    April 20, 2010

    A WAH DIASS??….WE HELPING CRIMINALS GET OUT OF JAIL NOW….I WISH THEY GO AND ROB THE SAME LAWYERS AMD JUDGES DAT PROTESTING FOR THEM

  53. April 20, 2010

    Lets take solace and be mind ful of the fact that the court of appel did not throw out the cases but rather reduced the sentences which leads one to conclude that our beloved magistrate was right on course with his sentences especially as noted one of the accused pleaded guilty. Yes we all need a little mercy for we all make mistakes and deserves a second chance. But! those accused are hard core offenders and violators of our country`s law and the only message to send to them is send them some place for a long enough time to think twice before commiting crimes in such a case i believe the sentences were fair and just. the sad part of this is very soon those same accused will be back before the court for comiting more crimes just mark my words.

  54. cannot believe it
    April 20, 2010

    8K or three months jail ?
    Now who’s gonna pay the 8K ?

    hmmmmmm

    white collar crime that man ?

  55. STAY TUNED
    April 20, 2010

    Don-c and them ,..

    …When he finishing he calling Hot Seat and want to burst vein…

    ya…iz dat i say

  56. W
    April 20, 2010

    it almost seems like an attack on the young judge. His intentions were in the right place, keep wrong doers behind bars for long.

    • P
      April 20, 2010

      He must take his time and read the law before sentencing, he cannot sentence on his will and fancies, good intention or not!!!!

      Anybody can end up before the courts including Behanzin!!!!!

      • bourne girl
        April 20, 2010

        u are so stupid!!!!! maybe u a criminal tooooooo….. this judge is doing a damn good job… if i was a criminal i woulda stop knowing i have to face him… those crimals who got freed will be back sooner than u expect…. give the man a chance shattttttttt…..

    • Patriot
      April 20, 2010

      He must be guided by the law. End of story. That’s how civil society functions.

      If there are laws that are inadequate then it’s up to the citizenry to make representation to their legislatures to have that changed.

      We must begin to mature as a nation.

      Saying things like “lock them up and throw way the keys” achieves nothing. That’s just masturbation. If our laws are weak… strengthen them. And the only way that can happen is if the people make direct representation to their legislatures(parl reps). These are the only persons legally madated by the people of Dominica to enact and amend laws on their behalf.

      • wow
        April 20, 2010

        And you are right the law is the law, but it funny that the laws in Dominica only comes out when some people want to get their way, Magistrates was always sending people to jail for how long they want in the past but now all of a sudden court of appleals intervins, this is a personal attact on this young Magistrate and every one can see it. The laws needs to be changed because the crimes has changed and the criminals has changed, so should the sentening and charging of these criminals.

      • Jayson
        April 21, 2010

        Well said!

        We need to ‘grow up’ as a nation.

    • Original W
      April 21, 2010

      My Lawyer has just advised me to inform you of the following:

      Dude! get another name to post your comments under. We wouldn’t want to start confusing the readers would we?

      Infringement! LOL

  57. Dominican
    April 20, 2010

    The Court of appeal cannot be so wrong.

    • child
      April 20, 2010

      they are so damn wrong .god have mercy on our lovely island

      • sadist
        April 20, 2010

        tell me who is so damn wrong

    • P
      April 20, 2010

      Why are they so wrong?

      • Percy
        April 20, 2010

        Every time there is a good judge in D/ca they alway bring them down. He is good for all those people who are getting away with crimes.

        • Willy
          April 21, 2010

          The Court of Appeal cannot be so wrong we have a stray bullet

        • Willy
          April 21, 2010

          Maybe this magistrate should go back to law school. Why in 2010 do we still have lay magistrate. this man should go back to school and try again. We need professional magistrates who know the law. It cannot be right that one magistrate has 49 appeals against him with more to come and all other magistrates together have only 15. Dominicans must open their eyes and brains. this man has a problem

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