The young man currently assisting the police with its investigations into the stabbing death of Clement James, also known as Johnson, is “likely to be charged shortly”, police spokesman Claude Weekes has said.
The man has been in custody since Tuesday morning and is the only suspect in the case that has been perceived to be a hate-crime.
Clement ‘Johnson’ James was fatally stabbed on the Indian River Bridge at about 3:40 pm on Monday. Reports are that his attacker hates gay people and has openly preached about killing them.
While crossing the bridge the two men’s eyes met and Johnson’s attacker took offense. They were initially on the opposite sides of the river bridge when the initial confrontation occurred.
The dead man’s attacker then reportedly crossed to the other side and struck Johnson following a brief verbal exchange. Johnson’s successful attempt to defend himself against the attack of a piece of wood was countered when the assailant reached for a knife and stabbed him under his upper arm.
His ability to defend himself quickly diminished as blood gushed from puncture wounds that eventually multiplied about his body.
Johnson was in his 50s. He was not married and had no children. He has recently established himself as a landscaper after having been in the employ of the Ross University for some time.
@Charmer:
That’s what was reported in a previous news piece. Try to keep up.
help dominica papa god
So hurtful….many seem to be sympathetic to what befell Mr.James, but truth is he was not gay. The gentleman was a christian, a true man of God. Some say he had ways that “seemed feminine” because he did floral arrangements, some say he was “sick”, but all he was was a humble servant of God; falsely accused and brutally slayed. People looked and the man bleeding on the side of the bridge, his life’s blood flowing from his veins, and hardly lent a hand to help; instead some stood helplessly whilst others simply ran their mouths. He’s in a better place now, away from the tongues of the wicked and unrighteous. God will be your vindicator, good man….may your soul rest in peace.
IT IS HEARTENING TO KNOW THAT A PERSON WILL LOOSE THEIR LIFE FOR BEING WHO HE REALLY WAS BEING GAY,I AM GAY AND IS SOMETHING I HAVE BEN STRUGLING WITH ALL MY LIFE..LET ME CORRECT YOU PEOPLE..I AM NOT GAY BECAUSE I CHOOSE TO BE AND SO IS EVERYONE WHO IS GAY.IF IT IS SOMETHING ONE HAD TO CHOOSE,I WOULD DEFENITELY NOT HAVE CHOOSE IT,SIMPLY BECAUSE OF THE STIGMA,NAME CALLINGS,BETRAYAL,ABUSE BY FRIENDS AND FAMILIES AND EVEN TREAT OF BEING KILLED.I WANT TO EXTEND MY SYMPATHY TO THE FAMILY OF CLEMENT JAMES ,AND ALSO TO THE ACCUSED FAMILY WHOM I KNOW VERY WELL..ITS ABOUT TIME WE LOVE EACHOTHER AND RESPECT ONE ANOTHER FOR BEING WHO OR WHAT WE ARE.WE HAVE TO LEARN TO ACCEPT THE THINGS WE CANNOT CHANGE.AND BEFOR WE ACCUSED ANYONE ABOUT THEIR LIFE,LETS LOOK IN THE MIRRIOR AT OURSELF AND SEE IF WE ARE WITHOUT SIN.HE WHO IS WITHOUT SIN CAST THE FIRST STONE ESPECIALLY AGAINST GAY PEOPLE.
help
its just so hard to understand that my cousin could do something like that to a friend of mine. it’s just staggering to try to come to terms with this situation. trust in the lord with all your heart and lean not to your own understanding, but in all your ways acknowledge Him, and he shall direct your path,
@??:
Man if thats d way those guys who sit by the Indian River whole day gambling think and behave, heaven help us. Do they realize that reaction cld seriously hurt their already weak business? How may of their clients that had sat in the same boat with were “batti-man” as they put it? How many of them may even have relatives who are “different” or may even be maried, with children, but with their “side-dishes”?
I grew up in Portsmouth in the sixties and there were known homosexuals that no one bothered. Some of them were respected members of the community. I have been living in NYC for many years and was always proud of the tolerance that I knew existed in Dominica. I remember when there was a Ms Dominica Man competition which was won by a well known homosexual. It was simply a joke. No one thought of attacking someone for his sexual orientation to the extent of taking a life. I am appauled that we have come to the stage in our development where popular songs can influence the behavior of Dominicans. Do we take up the Jamaican homophobic attitude of popular dancehall performers and imitate the garbage that they express?
Quote: “Battiman ha fi dead!”
This is what the killer is alledged to have said.
I thought that we were advancing, but I am disheartened that we are actually regressing.
My condolense goes out to the family of Mr James.
I am trying to recall who Clement James was. If anyone reads this, was the family resident at Zicack on Pembroke St?
So what is it about the murderer’s name they hiding? Let people know who he is! Expose him!!
They smoke, they drink, they chat nonsense, they become angry and murder people because of their sexual preference… A damn shame. This will not go away. I am 200% straight, married with children and respect every body’s life… Hang the murderer… have him plead for his life too. Set a date, then tell him he is pardoned, then start the case again and let him think he is getting away, then feed him well, so that he is very conscious and healthy, then hang him on the indian river bridge on the side he was walking. No priest, no clergy, no support just like a dog hang him and leave his body there for hours to send a message … who is next? Then do not bother to buy casket dump his body in a grave like a dog.
It is sad to read in this day that the gay community in dominica is still suffering my people wake up the gay community is international and we have to accept them this young man might be gay too why was he soooo angry he did that to cover up his sexual preference because in the USA the ones who cry down gays are more involve than the little man he needs counselling I have lots of gay friends and they are so compasionate people come on treat them as we would want to be treated
So what’s next? Our judicial system still lapses up as a society. Because many times, these guys are sentenced for 5 or 6 yrs then they’re back amongst us, 90% of the time as a menace to their entire communities. And then what should have been a closed chapter becomes a vicious circle of blood…cause no one wants to be the 2nd or 3rd victim, so the first person they’d so much as breathe to hard for will take an arm, a leg, an effin neck! Whose fault? The judicial system!! I believe in the Old Testament somewhat, an eye for an eye. Murder is not self-defense. A man decides to take a life he didn’t give out of pure malice? He should be executed, period! Just look around our communes and we can certainly point out this cretins; rapists, murderers … God knows why I’ll never choose to be a lawyer or a judge, cause sometimes their hands are really tied.
@??: You self repeating what they say ! Look at the rubbish that there by the bay. Trash, beggers, rummies doomed to spend the rest oh their lives as slaves to the tourist. and they will row that boat till they die. Even row the boat filled with all the wealthy machos for the green dollar they so desperately need. I will leave them in the hands of the river that they row on, a river never gives a warning when it will wash away it victims. The livelihood depends on that river ! so row away.
if we say as a society that all who smoke weed must die what kind of society would we have.that murderer is a smoker.each of us have our way of life that we love,why kill a brother 4 his.and the sad thing is these men were on opposite side of the bridge.our nation needs prayer until God comes.
i say mi sorry 4 di man wi boy
that is very sad extra
@LIONESS:
Do you know what some of the guys by the river had to say after the act took place? “Oh, why the police even looking for the de padna, one less batty man in de town now. Just dismiss everything”
Understand why they didn’t help now? Cause they’re not any better
May your soul rest in peace, mister. Such a tragic act….i hope the assailant gets what he deserves. Knew this gentleman, not too well, but I never for once thought he was gay. And even if he was, Smokey you had no right to do what you did. May the laws of the land deal with you appropriately. The problem with these young guys is their mentality. Smoke weed all day, drink rum, chant in the name of Selassie, cry down the country when they can’t get a job (no one’s fault but theirs!), then when they get frustrated innocent people become their victims. What did this poor man do to you? I think it’s time we re-introduce capital punishment and death sentences in this country. Too much crime in our sweet Dominica.
REVENGE IS FOR THE LORD EH!!!!!! MONKEYS KNOW WHAT TREE THEY CLIMB R.I.P MY FRIEND
Is this a new term in terminology in Criminology, “someone is assisting the police in the investigation”, is he a detective? From where CID, Scotland Yard, FBI this sounds so damn ridiculous!! What happen to a “suspect” or “someone is in custody” but not yet charged!! If the report is correct an attack in the bright light of day and Weekes make it look like there is still doubt, because he is the only suspect! No Weekes, it was on the Indian River Bridge, so is “arrows” the stabbed him, I hope you still looking for the Indians then!!
ok so now i walkin on d road i will not make eye contact wit anybody so they will nt chap me…ok papa so dominica turn
@Birdy64: ok r.kelly
My heart goes out to Clement’s family. This happened so close to Ross University, the life blood of Possie…wow man.
well, when i knew this guy, before i left dominica, he was a little boy in his nun school uniform, all of a sudden he is bad man. gone into drugs and and made a waste of himself. now he want to kill mr clement for being gay. he wasnt threatening only gay people, he jus think he bad. so they need to bring back capital punishment. no matter who the man was, he had no right to kill him. i feel more safe in the bronx that in possie now
So who going and feed him in prison..not tax payers money including the gay he ill because he used to pay tax….hang him fast so he can get burried side by side with the same gay man he kill…
I can’t understand that this man has been bragging about not liking gay people and further saying that he will kill gay people and nothing was being done..You see it’s only when something happens we want to stop it ,but the damage has already been done.If someone had take him down when he had said that,then the law would say he just speak with his mouth.but this was premeditated,so what do we do now?Take people seriously or just say they have freedom of speech?It looks like just like there is a season for hunting in Dominica ,there is a season for killing also. It’s appalling to hear so many murders and murderers there is in the beautiful island that i call my home . What can i say? I will always love you Dominica.
@COMRADE i feel her pain i been there OK but when deh devil put that in my head i would pray and pray .. and for somebody that in church she should seek god and not deh devil …i feel sorry for her but more for the kids and what im say if somebody kill get everything before saying they crazy
Don’t know why some people don’t just look into themself before they judge others. Ok you kill yhe man… now what there’s no way u’re better than him..stain your hadns with his blood..” murderer”
I read the ordeal of the poor man last night, and it’s a shame that a Dominican could launch such a vicious and deadly attack on another INNOCENT Dominican..I still maintain that this was a gruesome murder in cold blood and that the man should be hung….!!!
hang him they not going to do … to him but send him up for mr charter.the way the law is in DOMINICA. WE HAVE TO PRAY .
IT IS REALI SAD TO HEAR THAT MY PEOPLE FROM POSSIE WATCH THAT HAPPENING AND DIDNT TRY TO HELP OUT THE MAN.I KNOW AROUND THOSE TIMES BY THAT RIVER DOES HAVE A LOT OF GUYS.U MEAN NOT NOBODY DIDNT SEE THAT HAPPENING.SHAME ON ALL U.JUST HAND MISTER THAT IS ALL I AM ASKING.
The qestion that i would like answered is: Were there really onlookers at the crime scene? and if yes, Well they are all muderers. No one could have stopped that man from confronting that poor man whose life was taken inocently? Shame on all of you who were just standing there and not assisting the deceased. I have a feeling that most people that were there also hated the poor guy for his way of life. Judgement is for God alone, and remember that God created him in his own image. RIP lad.
It is unfair, that the photos and names of pepetrators of lesser crime are posted. It’s like this criminal is being protected. How come he is still a ‘suspect’
@Justice wll prevail: You talking nonesense. Were you there to see people laughing? If you were there, does that make you a culprit? How many people would be on the bridge at that time of the day.
Please allow me a moment, is there any rally going on for this senseless crime. people should demonstrate it could be your family. Dominican we are democratic people free freedom of speech.don’t kill love one another. Dominicans are loving giving and caring people.
It’s so sad to say, I can’t believe some dominican are still in the closet, trust me it more to it, it will soon be air, why someone kill a person because he is gay, that none of no one business, there are greater thing in dominica to be solve, fine a job etc. come out of the closet this man will not speak on you, all he will do is support you, for the fun, u and him had. sad sad sad, this people stand and watch a cannibal kill a human being, where are u all hearts are, you all people are not going to be moving on in life no further than the villages u all come from. pray to god u all don’t travel with this attitude, believe me, you all will be food for fish and wild animal, I hate hater, the world read this, friendly dominica. Sir Sherritt, please look into this guy haters, u depend on cruise ships over night tourists, gay people have a huge say around the world now, carefull this don’t reach cnn headline news. Dominicans are friendly people i knew. I will be following this case closely, I have some friend in the us & Europe willing to fun charity toward Mr.james. Any family member please leave a number to call, i will keep in contact, Mr. James, We will make he the last gay hater in our country, I am straight and married. I fight for gay people. waiting bye Netherlandse Holland.
why is it when they commit such crimes they are always quick to say the person doh good in their head. If thats the case he should be at a mental institution and not on the street around those of us where are much better in our heads. Let him go to stock farm for a week or two let them men up there buggar him them hang his rass.
it makes me mad when people going on about dey hate de gay and lesbian, what hypocrite der are, you know how many straight men in dominica have gone behind one another, and what about all de staright woman getting together and having close relations, i know woman who married having lesbian relationship.
it is about time dominicans begin to catch up with de rest of de world and realise times change, i accept everyones choice in life, if i do not agree that is some ting i keep to myself, let people live dere lives and love whom they please.
and if this man kill mr cos he gay, then dis man should go to jail for murder, and all those people who stand and watch actions like this, should be ashamed of themselves.
This man is an under cover punk. to kill a man just because you think that he is gay. are you serious. first of, if he wasn’t a punk he wouldn’t have seen that man because there had to be women walking the streets at the time. why would i see some man whom i think is gay when there are women walking around. transfer that under cover punk to a state side prison so that he may be able to leave out his life the way he truly wants to but cant because he is in da. how the hell would i know that someone is gay unless i am gay myself. all these things that i read here sometimes make me wonder do these victims have family? and if they do, why don’t i ever read of anyone exercising some street justice for the victims of these senseless crimes in da.
Stab the shit out of the kid. let him know what it feels like. when there was prejudice based on race everyone felt it but now people like this are showing the exact same prejudice based on sexuality. Prejudice is Prejudice and the fact remains that theism has a great factor to play in spreading prejudice and treating people as collectives instead of respecting them as individuals. It doesnt come as a shock to me that so many children nowadays are turning agnostic and atheist.
What a shame; i do hope that the evil spectators who were standing by and laughing while a human life was being deplorable taken by ( that two feet monster) I do hope when their turn comes I do hope they laugh also. Who laugh first laugh last and who laugh last laugh first. The laughing spectators should also be charged too. for not helping to render aid to a dying individual
Having known him personally, I can attest to the fact that Johnson was a kind and decent man who would never have harmed anyone. I am appalled that people stood by and watched this crime occur and did nothing to intervene. Perhaps Johnson could have been saved if someone would have lent a hand and stopped the bleeding, or at least held this poor man’s hand as he lay dying. May none of you ever be the victims of such a horrific attack while others stand idly by (some even laughing and snapping pictures) watching a grotesque scene play out. How despicable.
I hope that justice is swift and severe in this case. If the perpetrator is indeed mentally ill he should still not be allowed to walk free among us. However, I suspect that he is just a hatemonger with a black heart who spewed intolerance and bigotry. May what you have done come back to you in spades.
Rest in eternal peace Johnson.
Bring back the hang man to much criminals walking away free,and those evil lawyers even getting bail for murderers we must jail those two foot monsters (lawyers) any country that does not hang is a country against the word of God.clean the country please either build a gas chamber, introduce the electric chair or the gallows.
@vain-23: he did not have no problem the weed he smoking that had him believing he bad dont come and talk that rubbish here he was just too wicked is not first person he threaten he needs to be locked up an throw away the key.its people like u who condone this kind of behaviour an say he crazy an have probs.thats y i firmly believe dominica should bring bk capital punishment.he would be the first to go.an dont think i dont no the boy i grew up with him being friends with him at one point same school everything.
@ ragodor…..i agree wit u eh pal…….put he in the benjamin’s park and hang him let d public see
u stab a man because he gay????? dat is a brutal murder will bosss
dem young man now a days all dey do is sit by d road on ma rudolph block and smoke thier brains out….instead dey look work to do……..
JS, I AGREE BIGTIME. I DONT UNDERSTAND WHY WE HIDE CRIMINALS AND ALLEGED CRIMINALS
@fed upp:
Fed up, think of it, who in their RIGHT MIND or SENSES would kill their two precious little girls. I think we need to be a little more sensitive as a people and for a minute imagine what went wrong prior to the incident and the horror, pain and anguish this young mother has to live with thereafter. By definision psychosis means being out of touch with reality and it can be brought on by a myraid of factors including post patum blues or depression. Whatever the court ruling in this matter is, it must be accepted and respected but the nation must understand that this woman is as much a VICTIM as the two children that she alledgedly killed and we as a people must be sympathetic in the circumstances. Help is available and has been offered to this young lady although I agree that it should have come MUCH sooner to avert this tragic outcome (and there were “tell-tale” signs that seemed to have been ignored by some or all of society). I am calling on us all to participate in her treatment/therapy by being embracing and sympathetic. Let us not speak evil of her though what she did was and please people, for heaven’s sake do not demonize this girl as we will only destroy her further, if anything at all, PRAY FOR HER AND HER FAMILY! For no one of us would choose to go through this odeal.
everybody in possie knows … does loose it, the chile has a problem, prison is not where he belongs, he needs counselling and rehab; mine you , am not saying he right to do what he did, that was a stupid ting to do but we all know he doh have good head, so doh condem him, he could be stopped because there were a lot of people standing there watching the fight and even before the fight there were people watchiing and laughing
we need to start seeing pics of the people doing those crimes
Wow what a shame and a waste of life as well!
It just goes to show that Dominica is way behind the times and lacking in such areas and perhaps “hate crimes”, because that is just what it is needs to be dealt with more severely in Dominica, as opposed to the almost quiet acceptance and slap on the risk when such nonesense occurs.
I hate to say this but if this sort of mindset and culture isn’t nipped in the butt ASAP, then I am afraid it will escalate and yes happen again to innocent people.
What a crying shame in this day and age that someone is “MURDERED” as tha is exacrtly what it is and not to be mistaken with manslaughter, for no other reason but just because they are sopposedly of a different sexual orientation than an individual.
Perhaps the so-called religious denominations will take notice as a number of them are known for preaching hateful and insightful rhetoric to their congregations and anyone else who will listen so there goes.
Is this the type of example and tolerance we have raised our children with that if someone is said to be different from one’s self that they get rid of them at any cost.
Homophobia in Dominica I see is still ‘live and kicking’ and such senseless crimes are very synonymous with linchings of black men and rapes of black women in the early years, all because they were of a different colour from certain people with their preconceived prejudices.
To be honest I feel extremely sad for my island and most of all the extended family of this innocent man who just happened to be walking by another man with such hate and contempt for the individual which lead to his senseless death.
Perhaps this will be a wake up call not just for the legal authorities and the government, but more importantly for all sections of our society to sit up, take notice, smell the strong coffee that is brewing in Dominica as far as treating people who are “perceived to be different” with ‘dignity and respect’, and address these issues and contention that has gone on for too in the islands, as let’s face it that really is what the majority of us human beings strive for in this troubled world.
Let’s continue to pray for our island and urge anyone with information that will help investigators to solve this “HATE CRIME” as soon as possible and the perpetrator severely dealth with.
DOMINICA I WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOU AND CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR YOUR IMPROVEMENT IN EVERY ASPECT OF LIFE. So, so, so, sad about this gentleman’s slaying.
I dont know why people in this country hv so much probs wid GAY pple…but only wen they’re in DA…they go to barbados…and to the US….and see worse things happen in broad day light!!!
They never do anything….chupes….jus ignorant….the person chose to live their life however they feel..why you want to bother the man…even kill him???leave his judgement for the father up above….jeez man!!!
where the heck is the alleged offender’s name?
so sad… R.I.P.
alas poor man so much blood why he had to kill the man some ppl must learn to ppl be .
Now this is what you call a prejudgment. Even if the man did buggar is his batty to do what he want with. More Batty-man means more single ladies. So if we do the maths, more women for me. So in other words I don’t have problem with them and I aint want to kill them. I say bring back the hanging.
We are in the later days..
its a new thing people can kill and they say they crazy is now they will kill more whats goin on with deh woman that kill her two kids they will let her walk and say she crazy wicked justice system in this place ….
really a waste …
he killed d man for no reason.
who knows, he might plead insanity. dats d new innn thing in DA
my prayers are with the family and friends of the deceased.
WHAT BUSINESS WAS THAT OF THE KILLER TO TAKE A LIFE THAT HE DID NOT CREATED, SEE HOW WE LOVE TO PUT OURSELVES IN TROUBLE FOR NOTHING. THE WAY THE MAN LIVES HIS LIFE IS UP TO GOD TO JUDGE WHY WOULD YOU GO AND TAKE HIS LIFE? THIS IS SO SILLY DOMINCANS NEEDS ALOT OF PRAYERS AND NEEDS TO GROW UP.
I’m happy to hear this
hopefully this young “boy” gets what he deserves
such a senseless crime
prays for the family
Premeditated murder eh! GUILTY— HANG HIM IN THE MARKET-SQUARE NOW.