Soufriere family murder trial enters second day

The murder trial of the Soufriere family who are charged with the murder of their brother on September 24, 2010 went into second day on Tuesday following its March 5th, 2012 start at the High Court in Roseau.

Lauretta and Herbert Xavier and Manuella Williams who were involved in an altercation with their brother Harrison Williams at Soufriere on September 24th 2010, are accused of having caused his death.

Herbert Xavier is represented by Wayne Norde while Lauretta Xavier is represented by Dawn Yearwood Stewart; Roland Charles is the lawyer for Manuella Williams.

On the opening day of the trial, Jacqueline Williams the wife of the deceased took the witness stand giving an eyewitness account of what happened on that dreadful night.

Her 12 year old daughter Hershema Williams also testified.

She told the court that she was sitting in her dad’s vehicle and saw all three accused persons beat her father.

She admitted that the lighting in the area was not the best but stated that the head lights of her father’s vehicle were on and so she was able to see some of what was happening.

“It was a bit dark….but I was able to see a little thing,” she said.

Under cross examination from defense counsel Dawn Yearwood-Stewart she denied suggestions that she “made up the story.”

“I saw all what happened,” she stated.

She describes her uncle Herbert as “a quiet man”.

Cuban pathologist, Dr. Iracel Maria Pineira Garcia, who performed the autopsy on the body of the deceased on September 30, 2010, was not in court to testify but her statement was read by the magistrate who took her evidence after the prosecution had laid the proper foundation.

Among Dr. Garcia’s findings were,  fractures to the 6th and 7th ribs, open 10 and 6 cm wounds to his body, internal and external hemorrhage.

She sited multiple trauma to the victim’s head and thorax resulting in internal bleeding and shock as an associated factor for the cause of death.

The case will enter its third day on Wednesday March 7, 2012.

Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Gene Pestaina along with State Attorneys Clement Joseph and Arthlyn Nesty are leading prosecuting on behalf of the state.

The case is being heard by High Court judge Brian Cottle.

Copyright 2012 Dominica News Online, DURAVISION INC. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or distributed.

Disclaimer: The comments posted do not necessarily reflect the views of DominicaNewsOnline.com and its parent company or any individual staff member. All comments are posted subject to approval by DominicaNewsOnline.com. We never censor based on political or ideological points of view, but we do try to maintain a sensible balance between free speech and responsible moderating.

We will delete comments that:

  • contain any material which violates or infringes the rights of any person, are defamatory or harassing or are purely ad hominem attacks
  • a reasonable person would consider abusive or profane
  • contain material which violates or encourages others to violate any applicable law
  • promote prejudice or prejudicial hatred of any kind
  • refer to people arrested or charged with a crime as though they had been found guilty
  • contain links to "chain letters", pornographic or obscene movies or graphic images
  • are off-topic and/or excessively long

See our full comment/user policy/agreement.

36 Comments

  1. da passy
    March 8, 2012

    your brother his blood will be for ever on your shoulders

  2. nana
    March 7, 2012

    none of you guys were there..Let God be the Judge not you.we Have kids,brothers sisters,cousins..etc and we could be in that same position..things do happen we need to put ourselves in other person’s position before we make a comment.We know someone has lost a husband and children has lost a father but come on we need to take it easy they have been through enough we have seen worst..leave everything to Christ in prayer.

    • Anonymous
      March 7, 2012

      nonsese, they didnt know they have family b4 they killded the man????? u just bias they need to be punished!!!!!!!!!!! 50 years in jail let them rotten wicked pple

  3. mars
    March 7, 2012

    this is a shame to the family let go and let god

  4. Carib Diva 1
    March 7, 2012

    Remember Cain and Abel….but it is really sad that 3 siblings kill their own brother, so,so,so sad, that should not happen! I guess now the siblings are trying their best to get off free.
    Good Lord have mery on us and DA….Amen

  5. Sam
    March 7, 2012

    We want justice for Harrison. They need to be given the maximum sentence. MURDERERS

  6. Just wondering
    March 7, 2012

    Your demise is certainly disturbing. At no time would I have imagined that our judicial system was this negligent or that we would repeatedly treat visitors-investors at that- in such a disgraceful manner. Though I am not an advocate for any one person over another, I feel that Behanzin was the most serious about his job. Again, this is just my personal observation. However, since he is no longer in his position your fight for justice may be harder. Your decision to continue living in Dominica after of all of this suggests a love for our island, I want to thank you for that and I also hope that other investors are not discouraged by your experience. What worries me is that since your life and that of your family comes first you may choose to leave if these attacks continue to occur. This could have a real effect not only on our present economy but that of the future. I do hope this matter is taken seriously before the courts realize that other investors are also being affected by crimes and eventually the economy, their own salaries and the reputation of our country will be affected.

    • Just wondering
      March 7, 2012

      @criminal negligence

  7. Soufriere Resident
    March 7, 2012

    I can remember the day when our beloved Harrison was taken from us.

    God i pray for this children and his wife that they will get justice for Harrison.

  8. Anonymous
    March 7, 2012

    just let the people go home to take care of there kids

    • Really
      March 7, 2012

      Just let them go home to their children and a human being was killed.

      That’s not how it works. A family is without a father u ever thought of that. I say let them pay for what they have done.

    • Christ is the Answer
      March 7, 2012

      They didnot know they had kids to take care of before they commited the crime

    • Malatete
      March 7, 2012

      So now all we have to do is produce children so we can commit crimes without consequence ?? What planet do you live on?

    • Anonymous
      March 7, 2012

      Murderous rage led to murder. They have to pay. they will pay.

    • Anonymous
      March 7, 2012

      have a heart, put urself in the wife and child position. dont have a cruel heart, they deserve to be punished

  9. true dominican
    March 7, 2012

    They need to pay for wat they have done,they left children without a dad,a wife without a husband,that was u all brother………justice justice

    • Malatete
      March 7, 2012

      Not to mention loss of income, not only for the deceased’s family but also the many people he provided with employment and their dependants. The effects of this heinous act are far reaching and touched the entire community.

  10. Zor
    March 7, 2012

    The lawyer will try everything to try to get these people off but the good lord is in control.

    Harrison died and awful death with his family present. This is the worst ordeal a child should have to go thru.

    All i am saying is justice will be served

  11. +
    March 7, 2012

    Pray for the children, Hershema needs all the prayers that she can get. I imagine it is not easy for a child to witness her fathers’ murder, and still has to go through these grueling days of being questioned in court. She is currently reliving that moment, the night the incident occurred. “Father of Peace, Grace and eternal mercy, rest upon this Widow(Mother, Wife), and the children…Amen”

  12. Pat
    March 7, 2012

    MOTS…your people again, I hope they are given their just penalty.

  13. March 7, 2012

    How are they living with the fact that they killed/murdered their own BROTHER? I am shivering at that thought.My brother drowned and i had a sore throat for 3 months.Don’t they have blood in their veins?Our justice system have let us down so miserably.I hope they get the harshest penalty…their lives for his life.Or i would make them see him every move they make.I hope they go crazy soon.

  14. wallhouse
    March 7, 2012

    We all no the verdict already. Guilty but with just a small slap on the wrist.let’s all wait and u will c.Dominica has no justice.these girls no they r not gonna b there for life.I think they could less.the damage is done so wat .we will be out very soon to move on with our lives.Dats justice my ppl.

  15. Magway Sah
    March 7, 2012

    Is Now Gene Want To Do His Job?? Now He Want To Prosecute? Is Not The Same Gene Who Allowed The Woman Who Allegedly Murdered Her Two Innocent Little Girls To Walk Free Nuh? Oh I see. Too Many Irregularites In Dominicas Justice System!

  16. Criminal Neglegence
    March 7, 2012

    My wife and I are investors in Dominica.
    I am convinced that the Police, magistrates and judges are to be lamed as they cause these things to happen by their criminal negligence.
    Since returning to Dominica in 2005 My wife, Children and I have been victims of, 2counts of arson, several threats, admitted auto theft and vandalism of our vehicles, destruction of our farm crops and animals. Perpetrators admitting to poisoning of our water tanks… Most of which have been admitted (voice recorded in some cases) to the police by the perpetrators.
    On the 11th october 2008 my children were subject to Armed robbery, shooting of our farm animals, threatening to shoot our 13 year old son and his siblings who witnessed the theft. Having in possession of a firearm without being the holder of a fire arm licence. It took almost 6 months before the charges were read to the perpetrators. The 1st Magistrate said he could not be involved in the case as one of the perpetrators was his friend. Yet when Magistrate Behanzin order that the perpetrator be placed on bail (after having not attended court) the magistrate friend of the defendant revoked the bail order. This case has been postponed several times and has in fact encouraged the perpetrators to be even more bold and brazen in their attacks against us. On Thursday the 1st of March the magistrate gave the excuse that the case notes could not be found, to further postponing the case. Amazingly a date was selected based on a request to travel on vacation by the perpetrator charged with 4 fire arms related charges. This same fire arm was used several times before it was confiscated and I understand it has since been reissued to one of the perpetrators who had the licence.

    Police commissioner Lestrad advised my wife and I that we should get an injunction/ restraining order from the high court. This HCV DOM 433 of 2008 was granted December 3 2008.
    Despite having this restraining order and a judgement made in January 2009 the attacks continue. A total of 3 judges have issued orders to enforce the judgement yet nothing has been done to protect us.
    Despite the 2008 firearms related case one of the perpetrators was charged and placed on bail in 2010 for a cutlass attack on one of my employees and I. The only reason why this was taken seriously was because the defendant instructed his dog to attack the investigating Corporal who had to resort to discharging his forearm to stop the dog from biting him. Again it took 3 days before he could be arrested.
    Despite several lame warnings by the courts the perpetrators feel empowered by the delay tactics and actions to down play the seriousness of the offences.
    For instance, last friday the second of march, one day after being in the magistrates court, the perpetrators felt empowered enough to breach the high court order and the conditions of their bail by physically assaulting me, trespassing and occupying one of my cottages without paying VAT, service charge nor the rental fee.
    When I complained to the police, they don’t even record my complaint.

    • Anonymous
      March 7, 2012

      I totally agree, most police dont take crime seriously, if it was a stranger maybe, but once is someone they know they are lax. its always someones family or friend and they let things slide. Things are getting out of hand. The situation you described is shocking. If you take things into your own hand you will only suffer so just please try to be patient, remember the longest rope has an end. God bless. But our once peaceful country is gone.

      • Carib Diva 1
        March 7, 2012

        If the police cannot uphold the law…letting their friends go free? WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN WHERE LAW AND ORDER ARE CONCERNED.
        No doubt nothing can be solved.

  17. LEE
    March 6, 2012

    THEY ALL DESERVED THE MAXIMUM PENALTY. NOW BROTHER
    OR SISTER SHOULD BEAT THEIR SIBLING TO DEATH. THE
    WORST PART IS TO BEAT HIM TO DEATH INFRONT OF HIS
    CHILDREN THIS IS SAD.

  18. Anonymous
    March 6, 2012

    :lol: they need pray

  19. DA
    March 6, 2012

    What can one do that is so damn bad to have his own family members beat him to death > Can’t people solve their issues by communicating verbally anymore? No Excuse here.

  20. bowdel
    March 6, 2012

    the child was dr she no wat she saw how she lie na mister was dr man??
    JUSTICE MUST BE SERVED!!!! MAY HE RIP CONTINUOUSLY

  21. Anonymous
    March 6, 2012

    I say to that child jus keep the faith.. Don’t buckle under pressure… Justice shld be served.

  22. Listening
    March 6, 2012

    just hope the right judgment is handed down at the end of this trial… Jah guide

  23. redskin
    March 6, 2012

    They need the death penalty

    • Anonymous
      March 7, 2012

      ohhh shut up

      • possie
        March 7, 2012

        ha ha ha annonymous, it seems like these people are your friends, very funny yu on their side this time; well yu can say shut up on DNO but you cannot tell the judge shut up; they will get the death penalty or go up stocky for at least twenty years, by the time they comout they will be OLD people or mad like hell………….

  24. Christ is the Answer
    March 6, 2012

    I hope justice will be serve at the end of the case for what they did to their brother Harrison he is gone but not forgotten his faithful departed soul is resting in peace while their own is tormented.

Post a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

:) :-D :wink: :( 8-O :lol: :-| :cry: 8) :-? :-P :-x :?: :oops: :twisted: :mrgreen: more »

 characters available