A 32 year old Mahaut man, Jose Lamar, has been granted a substantial settlement in a law suit against police officers, Eve Martin Seaman and Pelam Jno Baptiste and the attorney general of Dominica.
Lamar, through his attorney, Joshua Francis, filed the law suit after he was shot by police resulting in the loss of his right leg.
According to the statement of claim, on July 18, 2010, a number of police officers arrived at the home of the Claimant’s uncle in Mahaut, Phillip Lamar, stating “police want you” and being “frightened and nervous’ Lamar ran from the police into the home of a neighbor, Jenner Charles, and sought refuge under a bed.
Lamar said while under the bed, he heard someone utter the words “he somewhere there”. Police officers then converged on the room where he was hiding and officer Seaman pointed a machine gun at him and shot him while he was still under the bed, causing him “great pain, suffering, injury, loss and damage,” according to the statement of claim.
Lamar maintained that he was never cautioned or informed of any reason or suspicion why he was being pursued and arrested or detained and was also unarmed at all material times.
He further claimed that after he was shot, he was taken by the police who “tossed him into a marked police vehicle” and while being transported to the Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH), Officer Seaman and others whom he knows only by aliases, “verbally abused him and continually stamped on the injured leg.”
Later that day, he was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at the PMH and was advised by doctors that due to the “ensuing sepsis which was now life threatening,” his right leg would have to be amputated to save his life.
That same day Lamar underwent two surgical operations and on July 19, his leg was amputated. He spent 25 days as a patient at the PMH and was discharged on August 12, 2010. He was under police guard while at the PMH and upon discharge, he was arrested and told it was for “causing Grievous Bodily Harm (GBH) to one, Phillip Laville, a police officer.”
“I was dumb founded,” he said.
According to the information presented to the court, despite his condition, Lamar was placed in a cell for 17 hours before being brought to court where the charge was read to him. He was granted bail in his own recognizance and after several appearances at the St Joseph Magistrates Court, the prosecution’s case was dismissed since they could not present a file and or witnesses in the matter.
Through his lawyer Joshua Francis, Lamar sought damages for “loss of liberty, loss of limb resulting from a gunshot wound, pain and suffering aggravated and exemplary damages, false imprisonment, assault and battery and malicious prosecution, cost, interest and any…….other relief as the court deems fit.”
The quantum of the settlement which was agreed to under confidential cover via a mediation agreement, cannot be made public but information obtained revealed that it’s a “substantially large amount.”
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That is why when they beat up people in da and run america they never know where they ending up. I witnessed a guy wanted to beat up a police officer in ny. The man exact words, you remember me now, you remember when u beat me up?” The police in the corner well afraid. I say life is so funny . And that guy decide he going to beat up that police that nite for what he did to him in da. I did not stay and look. Don’t even know what happen.They say two mountains never meet but two people must meet. I feel so sad for this guy. Time will tell and god will deal with them accordingly.
Job well done Mr Joshua Francis my past teacher am so proud of u!Let justice prevail!!!!!!!!
i am a labourite. a potto labourite. but skerrit the statement about joshua. haaaa boy . you losing votes. why?????? the man is from the kalinago territoy. now i can say WE GOING ALL THE WAY WITH THE WORKERS PARTY
You see Mr. Skeritt, its not only those who steal a bottle of rum Mr. Francis represents, but those who are taken advantaged of by those in authority.
Something is not adding up here. (Feel sorry for the guy losing his leg). But he is 32 years old, he “didn’t do anything wrong” – why run and hide under somebody’s bed? This is something a fifteen/sixteen year old teen would do. But a 32 year old man? common! “There is more than meet the eye.” The money will finish and he’ll still be limping.
Matters not how old he is or why he ran, fact is the shooting was unlawful.
Usually a corp wants to see if the suspect is holding something in his/her hand, like a gun, knife or some other weapon. In this case the suspect was under a bed and corps had no idea what he had in his hand, in his pants or elsewhere. So technically the shooting could be justified. A damn good procecutor would have won this case for the government given the past history of the suspect. Cops shot suspect who was in hiding because they feared for their lives. Case close.
Especially when you know how Dominica Police are, you have to run, for your life that is!
Excellent job, Mr. Francis, the funds came just in time. I don’t expect you have problems with campaign funds.
Until the police officer who does the crime is made to pay this brutality will not stop
Tell Skero surely that was not stealing a bottle of rum and the cost is not the value of a bottle of rum , he is the minister of finance and he has to find the money, we need to hear him now!!!
Congrats Joshua! In the same manner that God strengthened and guided the Biblical Joshua in the battle of Jericho, God is working wonders for you. He is guiding every step you make. Keep fighting the cause of the poor and oppressed. I am so happy for you. Tears of joy are flowing. Let your critics take that victory in their FACE!
After mr voleh so much from people now he come back and voleh our tax money with that nonsensical settlement. Utter Rubbish.
settlement dont mean he getting any money right away, knowing theses kind of cases, its going to take a while for him to get that money, because its coming from tax payers purse, and i can bet you that he will be getting this money in installments.
Why should he get the money by installment? So his lawyers will also be paid by installment? what foolish talk. He should get his money within a month’s time; except the Government file an appeal.
Appeal against what? That was a mediated settlement so the guy should get his money in reasonable time.
To Just Blaze please answer these questions,
1. Do you have children?
2. Do you have other relatives?
3. Do you have friends?
I know the answers are yes so I need to caution you. Careful of the words you let out of your mouth. Two wrongs can never make a right.
Now we hearing on Matt’s pr0gramme that the man has still not received a single cent of the award. What is going on< Can the Govt. appeal this case? I trust they are not that silly.
There should be no secret as to the total amount paid in this or any such settlement. The simple reason being the settlemet amount is paid from the taxpayers money. No secrets because the taxpayers foot the bill.
Why should the tax payers know? Their business is to pay taxes. Not to be informed of every cent spent by the Goverment – which they’ll never know under this Madministration.
Skerro, life has a funny way of gettin back a you…continue to make these kinds of statements…Power is in the hands of the Almighty….I love my PM!
That is a surefire way to make people change their behaviour; hit them in the pocketbook. Make it hurt when they misbehave.
The police are there to protect the public, not play judge, jury and amputator.
These people cannot be serious. That guy was a serial voleh. Is send him jail as soon as he leave jail is break and open people house. Police was chasing him after he come out and voleh thats when he got shot. Mahaut people thought that it was a blessing when they had to amputate his leg. Then he still go and voleh in a house with the one leg. Now all yuh giving him money?????????? UNBELIEVABLE!!!!!!!
Your point? Police are there to both to uphold follow the law. Being a voleh is not an excuse for them to break the law. The police force is NOT VIGILANTE JUSTICE LEAGUE.
Shot your trap!
Because he ‘voleh’ gives the police the right to shoot him with a machine gun while hiding under a bed? There is law that should guide all of us including the police.
the police supposed to be trained, therefore they should have their evidence well prepared, they failing to do so and by shooting a defense less man under a bed is just not right, the sum should come from their wages and not the tax payers, that practice would cause the police to think twice before acting since they are too quick to pull guns on civilians.
Your statement is a lot of ???????.
Merry Christmas mite and well done! Is a BWM X 6 going be under your Christmas tree.
Ummmm a what X6?
This is so vexing!! Worst part is that the police here seem to think it’s OK to abuse their power whenever and wherever without fear of consequence.
The bible says an eye for an eye, well I say a limb for a limb. Whether the guy was guilty or not, his rights were clearly violated and excessive force was used. He should use some of that money to do some obeah on them.
Obeah. Why? How backward. No wonder the country is so backward.
Yo what do u mean that’s why the country is backward, ha just as how our parent and grandparent used to do to other people, some of them was witch, prevent other people children to move forward during exams, prevent them from getting a good job that why all these police have generation bad blessings so that why we have to take them down first ok babs
I wonder if the Prime Minister will now apologise to JOSHUA FRANCIS.
Don’t hold your breath on this one
. But Change Must Come…..soon!
Assertive, NOT Agressive!
In your Face Skerrit, Take Dat!
DNO, please ask the PM to comment on this one.
Nice job God does not like ugly….Some police officers concrete this nonsense in their minds that after putting on that Governments uniform,(NOT THEIRS)they can brutalize people as they see fit. Fail to realize that this uniform gives them the right to protect not destroy or boost their foolish ego.
They should be charged personally for their actions and sent to Stalk Farm for Christmas soup…I know they would get some KULPWE…
TO our insultive PRIMWE MINISTER, this is evidence of Joshua Francis’ excellence. HE DOES NOT ONLY REPRESENT THOSE WHO STEAL RUM, (most of whom are POOR Labourites)whom you want to deny legal representation. He has the ability to represent everyone across the board.
I HAVE ALREADY SAID,JUST PUT A MICROPHONE INFRONT OF THIS PM, and he will hang himself.
Well done JOSHUA FRANCIS, and please pay the man his money!!!!!!!
HOW LONG?
NOT LONG!
Joshua good work for a rum drinker. Keep doing what you are doing Joshua.
Good justice finally. The cops will learn thief lesson n treat everyone within the stipulations of the law. Joshua u did well this person is not an alcoholic.
Good finally justice. Is that person a drunkard. Hmmmm guess not u go your
honor Francis. It’d time that the police stop their inhumane actions 
Shame on this police offices.
now look at those police officers and tell me if they were demoted or promoted, because of the excessive use of force and causing the state to loose all that money, now they training recruits, what a sin ting
Good job Mr.joshua francis.Lets hear skerrit take you on on your competence….to him the only bright lawyers are the yard fowls who eat from the crumbs off his table..
Psychological evaluations needed for the police regularly. We have a lot of trigger happy psychopaths on the force hiding behind the uniform.
sikerie i coming to you
Mr PM, these are the type of brilliant young people you and your ‘friends’ have to deal with. One by one, more people will step forward and make public the way the police treat them, or rather, abuse them. Job well done Mr Francis. Just the beginning of bigger and better things.
The settlement was granted through “mediation” (out of court settlement
)hence the reason the amount is not public knowledge… and this is not the first matter which involves persons being granted damages for police brutality.
Smh when would this country change? Totally unprofessional …those police officers should watch tru TV more often to see how professionals handle the job. What happen to tazers?
This country doesn’t put any policies in place to ensure that individuals do their work properly… All the big boys care about is living large and partisan politics…that settlement deserve couple millions and thats tax payers money. We already paying those officers for doing nothing positive.
So now where are all the people that was so defending skiro after he try to bring the young man down. A man that toke the time and effort to better his life by being a lawyer. A man their god try to bring down by saying is rum shop cases alone he can get. Now not only it shows how divisive this PM is but that the same unemployed man is not only more dignified than him by the way he answered the Pm, But that he not just a good lawyer but a great one. Any one that know anything know its hard to win cases against cops..
Why you all quiet now. Defend you PM…
Machine Gun? … I remember the story, it’s always marijuana they brutalize our men for, not because he ran. Sad!
Good job Mr.Francis bu the question. What is being done to this officers when this is an abuse of power , recently one of this guy was appointed Sgt.
I believe this guy should be charge & fined.
Some of you have no understanding when it relates to law suits involving the police. The Attorney General was named in the suit but was he present when the guy got shot. NO! You need to find out why Pellam was named in the suit before you go at him but I can help you if you wish. He investigated the case against the guy who injured another police Laville ok and that’s why but he was not involved nor was he present when tyher guy got shot. Also you think that the guy was innocent then you need to go down Mahaut and do a survey. Leave Pellam alone he is one of he best in the CDPF. Go ask Joshua Francis he will tell you.
A a but not womyel alone nah Josh representing a la Roosevelt Skerrit?
What disciplinary action if any is being taken against the officer who fired the shot???
What a cowardly act to shoot a man under a bed? Then you take him to the hospital and kicking his wound on his way to the hospital, utter wickedness,who are these policemen? Dem fellas have psychological problems.8)
I have several family members and friends who serve and have served in the force and is generally supportive of the police. However reading this story makes me cringe.
I ask what is the rules of engagement when police officers are making arrest, who was the senior officer on site giving orders to shot, and where is the chain of command. Were the officers life in danger. Story reminds me of a documentry i saw on civil war in siera leon and military brutality on people
This sounds like brutality to the highest degree. To show how dumb the officers were they could not show evidence to arrest him. I think a few people should be fired this is outrageous and the entire force should be retrained on arrest procedures. Why have we not yet invested in tasers and other non lethal weapons. Use of an AR to arrest someone under those circumstaces is sort of over doing it.
I hope the commisioner is using this as a case to make the force better
Total lack of competency on the part of the police. Ok, the man was shot and it can be argued that the police feared for their life because he net under a bed and they were not aware whether he was armed hence the reason for shooting….perfectly legal.
However, where is the darn case file? Where is the warrant for his arrest? Where is the said Inspector Laville that he assaulted? If he was eligible for bail in his own recognizance why was he not brought before a magistrate the same day he was discharged? We d that for he high and mighty anyway. Good job Joshua and may the lord guide and protect you as you seek to defend the defenseless. The CDPF has become a Political Militia reminiscent operating of countries governed by strong-men (Mugabe, Santos, Bashir, Assad, Mudarro) with reckless abandon under the leadership of some coonoomoonooes senior officers.
Yes, there are good officers within the rank and file but they are so few in numbers that their impact goes unrecognized. But, Change Must Come even within the CDPF and that will be sooner rather later.
Assertive, NOT Agressive!
Congrats Joshua! In the same manner that God strengthened and guided the Biblical Joshua in the battle of Jericho, God is working wonders for you. He is guiding every step you make. Keep fighting the cause of the poor and oppressed. I am so happy for you. Tears of joy are flowing. Let your critics take that victory in their FACE!
This act of brutality by the police is absolutely outrageous.
It would even be more outrageous if the offending officers were allowed to remain in the police force. They ought to be summarily dismissed to preserve any semblance of decency and accountability in the police, not to mention the public trust in an institution that cannot succeed with the public’s trust and respect.
Those who oversee the police should make it their highest priority to rid the force of the bad apples that brings the institution into ill repute.
Ah magway sah….shoot the man in his leg and still kick the injured leg.u see how them fellas wicked. if u retaliate in your own way after, u bad. smh
I though Skerrit said is only rum drinkers Joshua Francis representing in court? So who should I believe now?
Congratulations Mr. Francis on a job well done.
You should never believe an inveterate, impulsive and compulsive liar.
I thought our PM say is Rum bottle cases Joshua can win?
well look it in your face!!
@wait nuh!!. Actually the commentby Skerrit did a world of good to Joshua in Roseau South. Labourites on the ground were mad at Skerrit to make such an arrogant and stupid statement.
Talk about Police brutality!
Who is policing the police while they’re policing us?
Gosh this officers abuse their powers so much its not funny!
Them police officers to bold. Take from the money and work on them, make them loose limbs too. Its about time citizens step up fir their rights
Did you guys remember the last comment I made pertaining to the police and how They treat weed users? Here it is now a perfect example of how the police deal with us in Dominica. I hope you find comfort in their behavior. They will do it again. That’s the law for us.
Mr PM, how do you feel when so soon after you tried to ridicule this attorney that his work other than assisting “rum shop” clients could be brought to light? God has a way of bringing truth to light. Congratulations Mr Francis!
What is wrong with these judges? This is a public interest issue so how can you keep it a secret. Only in Dominica could police abuse their authority and still be in the job and not only that even promoted, only on Dominica.
i guess your comment is targetting Pellam well sorry to disapoint you I have the facts and Pellam was only named in the suit because he was the one that investigated the injury that the police laville got. He was NOT present when the shotting went down. So stop commenting when you get one side of a story.
dont you think that if he was involved in the shooting he would be promoted? do you know why Pellam was included in the document? Bosmman the guy was NOT involved in the shooting ok so stop making comments based on one side of the story.
if he was he would not be promoted
Good work Sikiri! Continue defending the rights of the poor man.
I thought skerrit say Joshua bailing fellas in a rum shop u lying again skerro for that u will lose my families vote.
Hope the police officer involved is punish for the crime he has committed. This police brutality have been going on for too long. Gone to a point where police have committed murder and nothing done about it…
This is wonderful news. If law and order is to have true meaning, the police must be held to the highest standards and be made to account when they fall below par.
good
Well partner, that chunck came in just in time for the Holidays. Just a pitty you went through such a rough time
I don’t understand why the details of the settlement cannot be published. Isn’t the findings of any legal matter within the state a matter of public records? I have always been under such an impression
There’s nothing else to understand, the guy WILL get robbed if the settlement amount is disclosed to the public! We don’t NEED to know the $ amount. All we NEED to know is that some justice is being done!
I want to comment first and all i want to say is poor pelam the man was not even involve in the shooting he was not even in the group that go after the guy when that scene happen but it seem all you like to spoil good people name. That guy say he did nothing well well well Lamar enjoy ur money but you cannot burst people vehicle and house again. Hold tight pelam we know you was not in that we respect u in Mahaut. you straight.
By simply reading the complaint it makes me furious to hear that a Machine Gun was used for close quarters apprehension. Why are these trigger happy Officers behaving like this by ignoring the basic use of force continuum to effect an arrest which is to use the “LEAST amount of force necessary before escalation to Lethal force”.
These graduating steps are:
1. Verbal commands
2. Empty-hand submission techniques,
3. Intermediate Weapons (e.g. baton, pepper spray,
4. Lethal force.
It’s obvious none of these steps were utilized other than lethal force. Officers, please follow the right protocol next time.
@Rule:
Because this is DA, Might is Right and we the people have no rights. If his name was Nassief, or Astaphan or one of those people, even if they had caught him brutally stabbing someone they wouldn’t have dared shoot him. The rest of us it’s like open season. Sad but true and they are allowed to continue unchecked and basically being paid by tax payers to disregard our rights.
Can you imagine what will happen if Dominicans give this DLP another chance to be in power? When the dictator takes rule, can you imagine what will happen? They will go out and target all those they believe are not supporters of the DLP. To be a police office today, you have to be a supporter of Skerrit. The police will brutalize people and know they will get by. So just imagine what is going to happen in our beloved country, a land that will be lost to its people. Lord, God of Heaven and earth, please come to the help of the Dominican people. Please save us from corruption and injustice and all the evils that are happening in our country today.
Finally the police have been held accountable.
THANK YOU LORD.
FOR We must Remember to Give HIM THANKS.
Now this interesting, Mr. Joshua Francis. This case sounds like it definitely required much work.
Can We now say the evidence is in the open that you have been working hard,helping and caring for others.Therefore the recent statement of Mr. Skerrit in the office of prime minister via media was falsely accusing you Mr Joshua Francis of being unemployed and without success in ,as if even in insignificant matters in court.
Sir We Heard your response to Mr. Skerrit’s degrading statement and could tell that you longed to say more,but you could not because of restraint and recognized that it was not best to blow The Trumpet on your own command to an audience you did not sermon.Especially that you humbly made the Gifts and Talents Given to you to Serve.After all,how can you try to disappoint the audience after you were Called to Serve to the best since you were Blessed with All You need for such Service.Thank you for keeping self in control and continuous sacrifice of self for Good Reward is guaranteed with doing just that.The report is in and as you continue to do Good they will unfold.
Keep Your eyes,heart mind and soul in THE LORD Sir. THANK YOU FOR JESUS CHRIST.
PRAISE THE LORD Our GOD For HE IS GOOD.HE IS LOVE….
The police men should be fired, for not producing a file
Joshua Francis!
@ Toure. I LOVE THIS MAN!
So how is it the Prime Minister is saying Joshua Francis only good to bail people who steal a bottle of rum? I see Mr. Francis as a champion defender of those abused by unscrupulous officers of the law who seem to be on a rampage of abuse.thank God for men like Mr. Francis.I am understanding now why Mr. Skeritt is so down on young heroes .
Lol!
Disclosed or not, I hope that substantial amount is worth the gentleman’s loss, and enough to be financially stable for the better part of his future. I also hope that after attorney’s fees are subtracted he do not squander the balance to become financially unstable too soon.
I hope others follow suit because too often police officers think that they are ABOVE THE LAW.
Well Sikeree you demonstrate that you are not just working for the rum man but for all those who need justice particularly from the corrupt authorities.
In their face
This level of corruption that exist in the police force has been going on for much too long. The physical and verbal abuse of civilians has been going on for a very long time and it has been covered up by the police and politicians.
Now the guy that was shot by the inspector at the school should have been receiving a large settlement as well but somewhere along the line the victim changed his story to favor the police inspector . All I will say is hmmm.
Much more results like this is needed so as to put some of these police officers in check- too many of them are just to arrogant and think that they are above the law. As citizens we expect the police commissioner to take the necessary action and discipline the officers who were involved – after all we tax this is tax payers money- not Levi Peter nor Daniel Carbon.
well done
lol: