Soufriere siblings now charged with manslaughter

 Herbert Xavier, Lauretta Xavier, Manuella Williams were originally jailed for killing their brother
Herbert Xavier, Lauretta Xavier, Manuella Williams were originally jailed for killing their brother

Three Soufriere siblings, who were originally charged with murder and were jailed for 15 years, are now facing the lesser charge of manslaughter.

The retrial of Manuella Willliams, Loretta and Herbert Xavier of Soufriere got underway at the Roseau High Court on Monday before Justice Errol Thomas.

The three were originally found guilty of killing their brother Harrison Williams in 2010 and sent to the slammer for 15 years.

However, they appealed the conviction and the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (ECSC) upheld that “major errors” were made during the trial by Judge Brian Cottle.

Their conviction was subsequently quashed by the ECSC in November 2014, and they were granted bail in the sum of EC$250,000 each with sureties and placed on curfew.

The ECSC also ordered a retrial.

On Monday, the nine-member jury was empanelled and the retrial got underway.

The three accused are being represented by Dawn Yearwood-Stewart and Wayne Norde, while Director of Public Prosecution is Evelina Baptiste is prosecuting for the state.

The matter has been adjourned to February 24.

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19 Comments

  1. Master Eye
    February 23, 2016

    But 3 police officers are in jail for something that happened while on duty. Same crime – never thought the now deceased would succumb to the wounding. But these 3 are out living life and even enjoying a reduced sentence. Mighty God watch over my family and I in this country.

  2. Traitor Alert
    February 23, 2016

    Lets us raise money on Q95 to help them pay for bail.

  3. wolf
    February 22, 2016

    So what they trying to say the brother was beating down the whole three of them so they kill him?seat back lets see how this one goes

  4. are sniss
    February 22, 2016

    free them its not their fault…… d devil made dem do it lmao

  5. DBS NEWS SHAME
    February 22, 2016

    So DNO what happening now? Papa God so DBS News now failing to say who is the legal team of the state on the News at 6 PM today Feb twenty two two kay sixteen smsssh ? Who doing the news now cannot follow DNO Lead and Say Its DPP Evelina Baptiste that fighting d case uh? We thin skin papa! We too good in Dominica. Show done but it aint done! Steupessssssssssssssssssssssssssssss! I must put pen on papa to make news papa and come in the studios. Matthew what you doing nuh man ahhhhhhhhhhhhh magway sa! Talk to dem people. Happy that they say Noday dem on d news.

  6. SICK TO MY STOMACH
    February 22, 2016

    So you mean to tell me, there is really no LAW no CONSTITUTION in LOVELY DOMINICA? NO consideration for the woman who lost her husband, no consideration for the children who lost their father? People can just kill in Dominica and get away scott free? One thing I know they will never live a normal life again, they will always be walking with a dark cloud hanging over their heads and a guilty conscience. That alone is 88punishment in itself. Next, GOD is coming for them. He clearly said in His ten Commandments, THOU SHALL NOT KILL. BRAVO!!!! VENGEANCE IS MINES SAYS THE LORD !!!!

  7. noneya
    February 22, 2016

    That’s why people not afraid to kill in Dominica.

  8. February 22, 2016

    All i can say ,i went to primary school together with these people,the most quiet people i cam across especially the one in the blue top,i cannot reproach them about their past,they were only very lazy ,the only had working one ,these three above siblings killed him ,it’s a shame that conflicts between brothers and sisters should end in such a bad way…i am not expecting any satisfaction from the justice system because we all can see what the case has been brought down to ,manslaughter!..may his soul rest in peace and his children will grow up to remember the good hard working father they had..

  9. beautiful Lady
    February 22, 2016

    Choops, we are in the last days

  10. child of god
    February 22, 2016

    Dominicans again who are we to judge them? None of us no what happened on this day but the creator live it in his hands.once again when we live in glass houses don’t throw stones. We are to quick to judge one another and yet our skeletons are hiding in our closets. Lord I pray for both families cause all of them are hurting.

  11. CJ
    February 22, 2016

    Really? So after having been convicted for murder, means that the evidence was there. It was just due to the incompetence of the judge that gave a misdirection in her summing up that ended in the mistrial and now the more incompetent DPP reduces the trial to manslaughter. Come down Father, Come down.

  12. sam
    February 22, 2016

    Well all know how this will end. Just save the state money and resources and let them go now. Everyone knows Dominica law system by now. Should I spell it out. They are going to be found not guilty or get some lame punishment . while a family is once again left without a husband and father.

    • ????????
      February 22, 2016

      Sam they are all of the same family.

  13. johnson
    February 22, 2016

    i’m pray’n for you guys only u n god knows the truth… :)

    Blessings upon you

    • PULEEZE!
      February 22, 2016

      you are so right.God knows the truth. the truth is they killed their brother.we know it too. we may not know the exact circumstances but we do know that they killed their brother.shame!

  14. real possie
    February 22, 2016

    They will get away on lesser charges and be given time served, and will walk free after this retrial. These Cain’s will have to live with the fact that they killed their own, over jealousy. Our judicial system really needs revamping, you can’t have guidelines you follow in a legal system and you have so many cases being repealed. You can’t have police not being able to do their jobs anymore, and now even being attacked by the people they are protecting. These are the things that should be on every politician agenda.

  15. Leah Remy
    February 22, 2016

    Stupes!

    All they have to do is remove the charge of murder on the law books wi…if all murder charge have to get down-graded to manslaughter, what is even the point of reading murder charges to them in the first place?!

    God, this country drives me nuts!!

  16. Reginald
    February 22, 2016

    Sweet Dominica, the country you can do anything and get away with it

    • Tjebe Fort
      February 23, 2016

      Yes, Sir, you can literally get away with murder! And doctor will give a certificate saying death by natural causes. Is only now we catching up on the Wild West more than a hundred years ago. Even judges can not wait to get a different posting to another island.

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