Man fined for threatening to kill DBS journalist

Joseph “Catos’ Bastien, the neighbor of a popular Dominica Broadcasting Station (DBS) announcer, will have to pay the court $ 5,000 for threatening to kill Ivona Jno Baptiste-Lugay and her family.

The Citroner man appeared before Magistrate Evalina Baptiste at the Roseau Magistrate Court Monday where he pleaded guilty to the charge of threat.

According to the facts of the case from the police, on June 18 the accuser came to the Police Headquarters and made complaints with regard to the threats aimed at the Lugay family by the man who lives next to their home.

“All you cause people to cause damage to my house and cause people to hit me so when I do what I do everybody will pay for it,” Bastien allegedly said.

“I will kill the whole family,” he supposedly added.

When the defendant was approached by police and questioned during investigations he did not show remorse.

“I will go jail and still remain the same. I will keep doing it,” Bastien said.

When given the chance to say something on his behalf before Magistrate Baptiste, Bastien, who was not represented by counsel, was apologetic.

But the defendant was in for a pounding from Magistrate Baptiste. In handing down the sentence, the magistrate considered that Bastien was on bond by the court for threatening the same complainant earlier this year.

Bastien will now have to meet the demands of that suspended sentence and pay the court $2,000 forthwith or spend three months in prison. For the threats over the weekend, he will also pay $3,000 or spend seven months behind bars.

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13 Comments

  1. possie blast
    June 24, 2011

    those journalist dere self does look for it eh, nobody not taking into account the fact that she put his name in the public causing him to be stoned and bitten, two wrongs cannot make a right

  2. FORKIT
    June 24, 2011

    the director of audit physically abused two people at work, a complaint was filed against him some years ago….

    i wonder where the case go, maybe tibet

  3. Uncle Sam
    June 22, 2011

    The Magistrate is RIGHT !

  4. Ayeee
    June 22, 2011

    Why arrest this guy?? what is the moral of his story– I hope he did not do it for fame so his name can appear on DNO. This is too laughable. Some can be arrested after a confession and others confession is claimed to be “rubbish.”

  5. June 22, 2011

    The sentence is laughable! $5000.00
    for a family life? God forbid his man carries
    this threat? How responsible would she be for this family. She sure would be walking with their blood in their. Does this man have a mental problem? Where is the counceling or treatment for this person’\’
    It would be interesting how she cam up withthese figure. Papa Bondieux endez nous en pais nous

  6. youts
    June 22, 2011

    threats …pay thousands

    murder….walk free

    what a “just tease” system

  7. vip
    June 22, 2011

    Great job i like that.More people need to be taken to court for threatening people lives with careless disregard for law and order.THat’s a wonderful way of making people pay for their tongue. people need to respect people in this country.Dominica is not iraq or the middle east .And we will not let our beautiful island go down that road.

  8. peaceful
    June 22, 2011

    very true, a threat to murder by a malaway = JAIL

    open christmas time fire-bombing and attempted double murder of outstanding senior citizens,by citizens in high places, plus an open confession to the crime by the assailant=
    COVER UP BY POLICE CHIEF,THE MINISTER OF SECURITY, THE SENIOR COUNSEL, SILENCE OF THE JUDICIARY AND THE BAR ASSOCIATION, THE CHURCH
    YES I, THAT IS WHAT U CALL JUSTICE

  9. Anonymous
    June 22, 2011

    Threats like this are to be taken seriously. Magistrate Baptiste should put a heavier charge on that man.

  10. anonymous
    June 22, 2011

    his nicknae is CATWI not catos.

  11. No Hogwash
    June 22, 2011

    Is so they making money for the state to share among the mafiasos. Attempted Murder. NO charge, treat of murder severe punishment!! The poor suffers the consequences of their actions, the rich and powerful get away ALL the time! No equal justice no peace!

    • Anonymous
      June 22, 2011

      true dat

    • Really
      June 22, 2011

      you can say it again aguy confessabout mano fire they give one chance o ru away and trust me the oher one willrun soon, but they charging for threaten one;s life lolololol i see here we go again where the gate low the cow always jump over

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