Muted applause broke the silence in the courtroom at the high court in Roseau on Tuesday, as the jury announced that Stebin Valentine was found not guilty of manslaughter.
Valentine was charged for the death of Charlesworth Christopher Jr. in an incident which occurred in 2009 at Portsmouth.
Valentine shed tears of joy, after a nine member jury acquitted him of the charge of manslaughter.
“My lady” he said moments after hearing the verdict “ I’ve waited God knows how long for an opportunity like this, I’ve never had a friend like Junior I am sorry I never intended for this to happen and I can assure you that I am a changed person.”
Justice Birnie Stephenson-Brookes warned the young man against reappearing in court again.
She told him that he should take this experience as a learning one and stay away from trouble.
In an angry reaction, the family of the deceased stormed out of the court room as Valentine spoke, declaring that they were uninterested in what he had to say.
The mother of the deceased declared outside of the court house that she was going to appeal the case and stated that the jury’s decision was “nonsense!”
Valentine told reporters outside of the courtroom that he is thankful for the verdict and feels that he has his life back.
He reiterated that Junior was his friend and he never wanted to harm him.
Nurse Darymple warned you all. No one has been found gulity of murder since…it has just begun…We need justice for Dwayne Darymple, for Duane Pinard and Charlesworth Christopher Jr amongst many others. God ain’t a police;the clock is ticking slowly but surely!
well u have to thank de most most high for putin de truth out there,so u can leave your life once again
Do not blame the jurors, the prosecutors are to be blamed. Knowing the facts based on what was presenting in court, why would you try this case as manslaughter and not negligence? That is what he was guilty of, he was not guilty of manslaughter. Sometimes you wonder if these prosecutors have any sense.
Stebin where is the gun?
if junior was my bro hmmmm
Stebs I back up all your comments.
Wait so does that mean its legal to smoke weed and possess an unlicensed firearm in d/a?
so is just like that. pple must just kill and get away with it. No more are we responsible for our actions. Intentional or not, u cant just come and say sorry and walk away. mr had no regard for the safety of the people who were there. I listen to the judge tell the jury it has to to be really really bad gross negligence for him to be found guilty. i really want to no how much grosser can it get..damn Jr is dead. People have to be made responsible for their actions. It seems that this is no longer the case these days. Mr. has not spent even a yr in jail. but doh worry…Just kill and ok..I’m sorry. well you can go home now. just a bunch of crap. stebin told so many lies in the courtroom.
HONESTLY IM HAPPY FOR STEBIN….MAY GOD BLESS YOU!!
SEE U AROUND
well stebin the ball is in your court its up to you
i dont no much about this young guy i just remembered him cause we attended the same school same year all i can say to him is You are not in this world to live up to anyones expectations neither are they there to live up to yours you owe no one no obligation none dont owe none so everything is fine in more simple terms you have been given a second chance so make it worth it to the family of the deceased i know its not easy to forgive but when hurts you and you dont forgive them they keep the power over you so i trust god that you may find the strength to move forgive and move on Junior is in a better place because he is resting in peace
correction when someone hurts you
how can he rest in peace and the boy is not tell the truth about their relationship and other stuff who knows wat else boy GOD IF AM WRONG LET ME.
well do you no what it means to die?????? it means to rest in peace it means to cross the bridge because across the bridge there is no more pain there is no more sorrow its that one will never be unhappy agian
Stebin will never have a peaceful life. He will be tormented by thoughts of Jr’s lifeless body. He will run in fear of Jr strangling him. And in the end, he will fall over a cliff and break his neck and die like the worthless piece he is.
im wondering if it was the other way around
Pure garbage! How could he be not guilty when he admitted to shooting the guy? Whether it’s an accident or not, the guy is dead! Who instructs these jurors before deliberation?
you
Stebin killed the woman’s child infront of her door and allu have it like is accident and he just walkd away free? Does a life in Dominca have no more value? Stebin barely took 6 months jail in all for the death of Jr, at least he should habe taken some more years jail for taking a life, accident or not. I find the jury ridiculous, I find you bloggers who are rejoicing at this verdict even more so. When he uses that same gun or a next weapon to kill/maim one of your children/friends/relatives let me know how you feel. Like it or not Jr’s blood is on Stebin’s hands. He’ll always be a murderer in my eyes.
I need to ask is Stebin a saint? He was on bail, he had to be in by a certain time, house bound? Where did he get the black eye? Wher was he when he was beaten so badly that he could not come to court? God does not like ugly. The lady lost her son and they were not friends? The gun was there long before it happened, that story was well fabricated. Why was he fired from Clear Habour? God is not a police, the cry of the aching mother will fall on Stebin. Change that is change. Just wait and see. is there Jstice in Dominica?
question is??????????????????? if they werent frenz why did he ask to see the gun?
allu want to make hat a problem when it is already done. finding stebin guilty doesnt bring back jr so its best you guys leave it in the hands of God…its up to Stebin to make a good decison with his life and move on.some of you who think taht dtebin had the gun long before why didnt you all come front and witness.
im happy with the verdict honestly… Stebin has protential in him and obviously the judge and jury saw that…we worked together became friends. Second chance well given hold on strong.
i have faith in him too…
Why not wish the young man good? Please people he has had his day in court- tried and found not guilty- let him live his life now. Wish him the best and let’s move forward. Its never easy to lose a loved one but whats done is done…only God can judge him.
so true!!!
Why is Steben on crotches?
he had an accident on a bike
actually he was hit by a prominent individual while crossing the road
I am not an attorney but I sincerely believe that Stebin is quilty of manslaughter. Stebin has always been appearing in the court sick. He came once with a black eye, another time he was seen taking tablets in the court and holding his chest, then the next time you hear he is sick so he can’t appear in court and now he on crutches. Is he more back lucky he always sick? I hope that justice was served.
Good decision by the jury.
In Dominica, the definition of Murder reads in part; “Unlawfully, taking the life of someone WITHOUT having the intention to do so”.
Therefore, we can all agree that a life was unfortunately lost but the key is; Was the action intentional or planned? If the answer is no then the man is innocent as charged.
The police did the right thing and charged witH manslaughter because the investigation showed NO intent to kill. Therefore I applaud the jury but again extend my deepest sympathies to the family of the deceased and hope they find peace.
Assertive, NOT Agressive!
So well said. At least there are a few learned people who can reason out facts from foolishness. I applaud you for your open-mindedness
But you fool he was found NOT guilty of manslaughter. The case was never for murder apparently. so if it’s not murder and it’s not manslaughter then what is it? did the gun kill the man by itself? how did it get close to him to cause his death? smh
The crown could not prove that he intended to commit the crime, therefore he could not be found guilty, in the legal world there have to some form on intent to cause harm for one to be found guilty of a crime. This is the reason he was found not guilty.
so what is he guilty of .what about possesion of an illegal weapon .what about theft(obviously he stole the gun).what about obstruction of justice (if he hide the gun)ok dominica .time will defenitely tell .soon his parents will start sending words for the victim parents .way mama.(i was stupid ,i kill your son ,now what are you going to do about it .in your face)
stole ine gun… please get you facts striaght..
Was he charged for possession? Enquiring minds want to know…if not what are you talking about
Stabin God is with u,so get ur life together and keep on the safe side. Guidence
Kinda funny that because the law didn’t go in certain peoples favor it’s flawed I personally spoke to Stebin and I believe the did wat THEY-meaning more than one person did wat was rite they followed the evidence and came back with a verdict. Now stop wishing bad on the young man and let him prosper if he wishes
I am not surprised at the verdict. why let me explain. I followed all the evidence given by those who were there that night and not one said that it was done intentionally. The guy who died was speaking to Stebin so family members whether you like to admit it they were friends. all the witnesses claim that the dead guy asked to see something. Don’t you get it. This was an accident. Family members stop carying the hurt. Yes I understand how you feel losing a loved one but calm down and look at the circumstances. Why do you cry foul. Stop this bitterness. Stebin have suffered as well. No look at the situation objecively. Do youthink he would kill the guy infront of all those person. He was even hanging out with the dead man’s aunt. Look again – and can younot see this was an accident. sorry it was Stebin it could have been the other way around. How would you have felt. Time to forgive and let God be the Judge. Stebin be careful how you use your second chance. If I were you I would give my life fully to the Lord and continue to pray for the dead man’s relative.
yes you have strong points there but some justice should be given here about the ill-gun atlist am sorry but da law needs some salt it to sweet papa
http://www.cps.gov.uk/legal/h_to_k/homicide_murder_and_manslaughter/#involuntary
definitions of murder manslaughter etc etc .. different types too
Dominica just getting more ridiculous day by day with their court system….
boy boy mister so like to fight an he do his thing an get away well trust me we have to hear from him again i know him to well in school it was stab children with pencil on road is gun he will be back just wait
dogface…. hush your . stop judging people by their past. damn it
tell me u never fight in skool ner???
i do not want to sound punitive but if it was not in self defense and the guy died at his hands then it has to be some kind of man slaughter.
It would have been better if he were found guilty of man slaughter and let go.
Guilty or not guilty he has to deal with this for
the rest of his life. Yes his out but I hope he
takes that second chance seriously. Right now he
is walking on egg shells because people will try
to provoke him just to get himm in trouble. He
better play his cards right because God is watching.
So is he now going to hand over the gun to the police or is he going to use it again.
Dominica is governed by laws, the young man was found not guilty by a 9 member jury representing a cross section of the Dominican Society, who are given explanations and legal guidance and directions by the Judge. We are quick to say all these negatives when we are not directly affected in one form or another.
These were two friends who grew up a few yards from each other, people it could have been the other way around easily. They had no beef with each other, as a matter of fact they went fishing for lambi together a few days earlier and had a cook up with their catch, the young man continually professed that Junior was his friend and he was only showing him the gun. That was an unfortunate accidental death plain and simple, so lets wish the young man siezes the opportunity to make something positive with his life and lets not forget that another family lost their child, a community mourned the loss. Its time for healing on all fronts.
Good on the Jury for this verdict. Even the prosecution witnesses did not give evidence suggesting manslaughter.
I empathize with the families on both sides but i guess the jury saw this for the accident that it was.
Stebin now you need to step up and make the most of this second chance at life.
Hold strong everybody … for Possie sake
Are you serious that just happened. i totally agree with the writer who said the jurers need to be selected carefully and they also need to make known of any credentials they have,that business of walking in to best buy and serving a cashier with a jurer summons isnt all,that’s a big joke.what is really going on.the man admitted he kill the man and he was intoxicated,what about charges of having an unlicenced firearm,shooting in a public road,unlicenced ammunitions.crime will never stop.
This is a total lie. he never admitted to killing his friend. besides what problems you have with jury selection. If you were in the case you would find him NOT guilty after listening to the evidence in Court. Are you saying that the 9 jurors are all Best Buy workers? And think for a while 9 people listened to both sides of the story and came to an agreement that it was not an intentional killing. Put yourself in the position where you are having a conversation with a friend and in joke you he ends up dying from a little accident you had. I suppose you would want to rot in jail for that accident.
MY PUNISHMENT FOR MR IS , GO WORK FOR THE FAMILY FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE
5 believe that the jury statement was based on the statement made by the witnesses i rememeber readig clearly that each one of them said ‘ i head jr say let me see it’ which could only mean, that stebin told him he had a gun and he wanted to see it the bullets were not locked so depend5ng on how heb removed the g4n 5t went loose, i honestly do not believe that this was intentional and that Stebin ran in fright, the jury did not accomplish that verdict by themselves is what was said by the witnesses and secondly a parent never knows all thier children friends so it is wrong to say that the guy was never the other friend, you can be living togetther for donkey years as villagers, you nevver know what goes on behind closed doors ar dark alleys.
i am just saying!!!!!!!!
maybe not guilty of man slaughter ,but he should at least be charged with illegal possesion of a gun…its like saying ok son .you can go home now .god bless dominica
I am happy for you Stebin. i am pretty much sure that if alot you people were in court you would have been speaking differently. It was an accident that occured between two Friends….. it was just an unfortunate incident. i grieve with everyone that mourns the death of Juniour but you people got to understand the Stebin did not mean to kill the guy. May Juniour’s Soul rest in Peace.
Free at last!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Stebin was in my class in secondary school…… When I heard about that incident, my heart cried, because I knew that he was not capable of such a crime…. Stebin is an amazing person, playful and very friendly! He was always the life of the class, giving jokes and stuff….. I spoke to him about this incident while he was on bail, and he told me that he was innocent.. I believed him! I know him!!!! He was not lying to me! I just told him to be cool, and victory would prevail someday… Look, i was not expecting there to be victory this soon! Im soo happy right now !!! TO GOD BE THE GLORY!!! The family of the other side will always be upset! I understand! No one wants to loose a loved one this way, but we need to understand that accidents do happen!!! Stebin is a very talented young man.. He is smart, and he can sing! Sweetie, spread your wigs and fly ok…… Persue ur dreams, and turn the page in your life…. And pple, give Stebin a break ok…. Junior is dead, but Stebin still has his life to live.. Its up to him to make something good out of it.. Give him a break please….
shut the hell up all of you dominicans to despicable and like to mind ppl business some of the ppl testified that the 2 were never friends tell the family of the deceased to clean their back yards before they try to scrutinize others they just the same it could happen to them?
Dominica has to change them stupid justice they have dere, they should bring back hanging
This has got to be a big joke…so ok you didn’t kill Junior intentionally!! Where the hell is the gun? Why haven’t you Mr.Stebin given up the gun?God is not a police!!!!! All the witnesses gave the same story!!! What went wrong??? How could one man’s story surpass all the witnesses who said the same thing??? Something isn’t right about this whole thing!!!! I wish you all the best Stebin…hope you have truly learnt your lesson!!! DON’T PLAY WITH FIREARMS!!! Pray u don’t use that gun on someone else’s child
I were reading all of these comments and some making sense some were bull>>>>>>we all all have sinned in dis world weather are murder,stealing, adultery,etc….and we all no that once we ask god for forgiveness he will forgive us.. so who are we to judge this young man…..I no that the young boy who died wouldn”t like his friend to be go through this struggle especially if he knows that it were an accident….(stabin if u are readin this please god gave u a second chance cause only he knows so please use ur time wisely give him all the praise and glory cause the he deserve it)god have matters in his hands and he will lead u on…u might fall arcoss the road but he will make u stand back on ur feet…I know thAT U HAVE ALOT OF ENERMIES RIGHT NOW BUT DONT LET THEM GET TO U<<>>> I HOPE ONE DAY THAT THE FAMILY OF THE YOUNG MAN WILL FORGIVE U><<>>.
DNO, can you please provide some more info about this case.. I am lost.. When did this incident occur? Where did it take place?
fairwell i wont say that he took his life intentionally but he was wrong to have an unliscened gun ,yet still he is not charged for that?possesion of amunition,not charged for that? causing death,not charged for that? I KNOW NOWADAYS PEOPLE DOSNT MAKE THINGS PASS LIKE DAT AGAIN.IF I WAS HIM I WUD ASK TO GO JAIL INSTEAD.look at wat that happen to the guy that rub by jem gas station in portsmouth and others that died mysteriously.(be carefull my friend)
that must be the same method they use to set him free….who knows?
So is this young man going to be tried for the possess and unlawful fire arm. Why was he playing with a gun that he has no license for. I am not quite familiar with the case I wasn’t there I cannot say if he guilty of manslaughter or not But I just thinking is playing with unlicensed gun wrong wrong wrong.This young man made a very poor decision that I believe he might or mightn’t learn from but to where really is the consequence for your action.
Dominica is a mess>When you brandish a gun they charge you $5000> When you kill someone you are aquitted.What kind of message are you sending to your people?Is it better to kill somebody than to brandish a gun?Our judiciary system needs purging.What happened to law that said “nobody should bring their cheque book when found with a gun and that is Stockfarm you goingÏs that for special people?Come on wake up and smell the Dominica Sulphur.
now u got d chance dred, prove me wrong, make a change and step up as d man i know u to be and live life like a real man rasta.bless.rip junior my sympathies to his family
Unless you all are seized with the facts of the case and the evidence you all should refrain from making such comments
It seem that he is the victim,a young man lost his life
Revenge is mine sayeth the Lord…in his own time God will deal with Stebin accordingly until then Junior’s family hold strong and pray. This court system needs a wash down, SHAME on them jurors…SHAME…SHAME…SHAME
STEBO… I’m happy for you.. we all know that your changed person honey…NOW GO OUT THERE AND MAKE SOMETHING HAPPEN FOR YOU BABY.. DON’T SIT ON YOUR INTELLIGENCE. MARK THIS DAY AS A NEW CHAPTER IN YOUR LIFE… SET A GOAL AND ACHIEVE IT… OK MY BOY!!! I HAVE FAITH IN YOU!!! AND ONLY GOD CAN JUDGE YOU!!!!!!!
ohhh and to the critics personally dont give if you dislike my comment…
have a nice day.
All you put back two murderers in Portsmouth in two years, that is why we have five, sorry, six unsolved murders in Portsmouth, then the same AG, all his clients, still talking bull about crime, even having the audacity to come to Portsmouth, the place where he made his money putting criminals on the street.
he can mark this day as a new chapter in his life but his friend has no new chapter, he is dead
well may his soul rest in peace… stebs.. go make a change… your brain BOX
ok not guilty but where is the gun?
Exactly, where is the frigging gun…if it was an accident as you claim and u didn’t mean for it to happen, Mr. Stebin – where is the gun i wonder!!!
wonder if it was the other way around how would the deceased family react?????
Am not saying by no means it is right for a man to get away with killing someone intensionally…but when an accident happens between friends that is a different story.
if the young man spent time in jail already(I DONOT KNOW SO DON’T CRUCIFY ME)and the jury sent him home then ok……there are cases worst than that and the persons didnt spent time in jail or they will never come before the court….eg, remember a LESTRADE boy that shot a fella point blank in his head behind his ears????what happen to that case? he wasn’t even charge with ATTEMPTED MURDER
leave lestrade alone please stick to allu stebin story….
HUH! I so agree with you. a friend accidentally causing another friends death is different from intentionally shooting someone because of anger or other cause.
yes we doe forget GREG!!
ah yes .wgat harpen ? we never hear nothing about that again
yea wait till he kill again! it wont be long, then cry fowl! it always happens.
true they always kill again hope is those that free him.
shameeeeeeeeeeeeeeee on you to say suchhh…
That is what you wishing for the man Big Stuff? Shame on you! I rebuke that statement. This statement only comes from a devil’s incarnate. And so are all the people who gave you a thumbs up. We need constructive criticism, ok.
Boy look ! You shot the person child infront of his mother’s house, people were next to you, you testified and still not guilty!!!!!!
.
That’s why people take matters like that into their own hands…the system not for victims….stebin should pay for ……it runs in his blood….God is not a police Mr Stebin….he will handle u !!! 99 days!!!
God is not counting our sins. God is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. He is in control of everything, and nothing goes unnoticed before him. He is the one who has allowed the not guilty verdict to come out and to use Stebin to do better, to fullfill his purpose. You see, sometimes God allows bad and turns it to good for even those who believe in him. I know many people and moreso the deceased family has not forgiven Stebin. How then can they ask God for forgiveness for their sins when they fail to forgive a brother? he will not hear them because there is bitterness in their heart towards a fellow man. My hope is for Stebin to realize that God has given him another chance to live a life that is well pleasing to him. God sometimes allow us to go through certain thinggs to make us stronger and fullfill his will for us. May the Good Lord bless and keep you Stebin, and to the deceased familly, may the Lord bring you comfort and strength and give you courage. And if Junior did, by any chance live a life for God, then you can see him again. All you have to do is love and serve the Good God that he served, becuase there is a much better place than this earth.
people stop bothering your heads with matters of this world.
Remember God is the ultimate Judge!!!! Even tho the court find him not guilty, he has to stand up to God one day!
Stop taking matters into your own hands people!!!
you got another chance at life i hope u take it n make the best of it.
Unless it reach home some of us will never understand. wtf is wrong
The prosecution can and must appeal the verdict.
the prosecution cannot appeal the case. the man has been found not guilty. he cannot be tried twice for the same crime once the trial runs is complete.
who say .so many of our cops here in n.y found not gulity of a crime and the victim turn around and sue the city for millions
So who did it then? Did the prosecution not prove the case whereby the accused would have caused the death of the deceased without malice nor aforethought? Was the gun not unlicensed? Did the accused not admit accordingly?
take your time and read the facts of the story he never said he didn’t do it!!!!!! read the other articles
exactly so that means the he should be charged for manslaughter. unless I’m forgetting what is the definition of manslaughter.
I knew he would. When i read his story i felt a way. It sounded truthful to me. If he honestly didn’t do it willfully, I’m glad he was set free. Hope that the family of the deceased doesn’t get mad and finds place in their heart to forgive him.
I believed his story too. and I believe he and Junior were good buddies. he never had the intention, that is why the investigating officer charged him with manslaughter.
good buddies stupes as j family said they were not
Dominica not in it. This has to stop. Things like this just telling ppl to kill or be killed. This No Law, No constitution is not doing us well
shameeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee LIE IS NOW TRUTH
What message is this court system sending out to citizens? That someone call kill another person and witnesses are around and they get away with it? Shame on you jurors. Shame on you!
when the police pick up anybody as a juror, some of them doh even know the meaning of the court terms like murder, manslaughter and plantiff or defendant, what do you expect..
Do YOU Know the meaning of the terms murder, manslaughter and plantiff or defendant? Do you know what the law states? Were you in court? Did you give evidence to prove the guy guilty? We are governed by Laws. There’s a judge in the courtroom. You are suggesting that she is failing and does not tell jurors what is expected of them? Shame on you for this insinuation. Furthermore if you are that smart you would know that it’s not the police that selects jurors. I suggest you let the court do its work and go find work to do other than making insulting suggestive statements about people carrying out justice in the land.
We are tried by a jury of our peers. So if what you say is true then the whole bunch of us dotish!!
The Jurors did a good Job. One hhas to listen to the facts surrounding the death of someone. different people kill based on different circumstances. Everyone cannot be found guilty.
Dont blame the court system too quickly. Even though the guy may have been guilty, it all boils down to the manner in which the evidence was collected and presented. Remember, guilt must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt and if there is any doubt, then there must be an aquital. Something to ponder on.
wtfffffffffff…..is the court system serious???
I have said it over and over again. There is no justice in Dominica. The family of Charlesworth Christopher Jr is not happy with that verdict. We will pursue it to the end! Stebin Valentine will pay for taking Jr’s life.
hmm
Here is the thing about innocence and guilt, particularly where acts of evil and prayers are concerned. You take it to what you call “obeah man or woman” and if the individual is indeed innocent you would have had the destruction of an innocent individual on your hand. What happens then is the vengeance of good- when the Lord seeks justice for his own, it is not simple justice. If he in fact did it intentionally then he will also reap his reward. If his end is by the hand of someone else then they too will get their end- be vigilant.
An eye for an eye and the whole world goes blind. One life has already been lost, why destroy two? It is not something that you get up and say I forgive you not let’s go home to tea- it’s something that you say it is going to be difficult for me to do but I will pray for you, I will have some sort of anger towards you, but pray that the Lord removes this anger and allow a clear picture.
When my brother was wrongfully accused and spent time in jail his accusers were out on the streets having a blast, enjoying life. I’d see my mother cry every day on her knees. It took some time but when the truth came out and people who believed the accusers saw and heard, they just hung their heads in shame. Take it to the Lord, it is not easy that much I know. But he does not sleep, he is not a police and he is definitely does not let his children suffer.
that must be a big joke!!