Former government minister and Special Envoy in the Office of the Prime Minister, Dr. Kenneth Darroux, has pleaded guilty to two firearm-related offenses preferred against him by the police. Dr. Darroux, along with Chrisroy Fontaine, appeared before the Roseau Magistrate Court today, January 24, 2024, jointly charged with importation of a Glock 19 barrel and one Glock 17 slide without being the holders of valid firearms importation license. The pair opted for a summary trial and Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Sherma Dalrymple, who is leading the State’s case presented the facts of the case to the Court.
During the presentation of the facts, the DPP sought to confer with the investigating officer. Subsequently, she requested a brief adjournment, citing a deficiency in certain evidence within the prosecution’s case. However, defense attorney Lennox Lawrence, who is assisted by attorney-at-law Jodie Luke, objected to the application.
“We are here for a trial and we are saying if the prosecution is unable to continue the case, it should be discontinued for want of prosecution,” Lawrence declared.
He further asserted that once the prosecution put forward a case before the Court, they should be “trial ready and triable.”
“If you are not trial-ready, then you should not come to Court,” Lawrence posited. “Trial readiness has to do with evidence to prove your case. If there is no evidence or you lack evidence, then the prosecution should not come to Court because the burden of proof lies solely on the prosecution.”
Lawrence maintained that the adjournment request signifies the prosecution’s lack of preparedness to proceed with the matter and asserted that the case against Dr. Darroux should be withdrawn for want of prosecution. He acknowledged that the decision is at the discretion of the court but contended: “The question is can the prosecution today satisfy the Court that the defendant has done anything wrong and if not, this case should dismissed.”
In response, the DPP stated that when looking at an adjournment, the Court must look at the rights of the defendant as opposed to the right of the public and the public interest in having serious criminal charges adjudicated upon.
“The adjournment is very short and will not prejudice the accused.”
She drew reference to section 71 of the magistrate code of procedure which speaks to the occasion when Court can dismiss a matter. She further pointed to section 8 subsection 8 of the constitution which speaks to the protection of law which the Court considers in dismissals.
According to Dalrymple, none of these breaches exist and the matter has been dealt with swiftly by the police since an arrest was made on January 23, 2024, and the accused appeared in Court the following day. She urged the court to consider this adjournment in the interest of justice given the prevalence of gun-related offenses in Dominica.
In handing down his decision, presiding Magistrate Michael Laudat stated that it would not be in the public’s interest to dismiss the case but denied the prosecution’s request for a next-day adjournment. The matter was however adjourned for 2:00 p.m., today. Dr. Darroux was yesterday granted $30,000.00 bail after two charges were brought against him by the police.
The former Parliamentary Representative of Petite Savanne held office for the past 18 years, serving in various ministerial capacities during his tenure in parliament. After his departure in the last general election in 2022, Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit announced Darroux’s new role as a Special Envoy in the Office of the Prime Minister.
This position includes attending Cabinet meetings on invitation as well as specific responsibilities for “Electoral Modernization.”
DNO will continue to follow this story and report any new developments.
Did anyone know one cannot import gun accessories with an import license? I did not know that until now.
Persons with a gun license often import accessories
Now I said this to all of you politicizing that this could happen to anyone.
The real issue is the illegal guns that are coming in the back door or under other means.
It is high time that people get educated and not be like sheep repeating everything they hear without investigating.
I tread cautiously especially since we live in a time where people are witch-hunting and everything is political. Before you perfect people who are pointing fingers at others, look at yourself and make changes within yourself. Those who are waiting to politicize everything this is for you. Persons should keep to the topic at hand. I really would like to see that one comment knowledgeably and not the mepuis type and senseless talking.
Now Lesson learned. Stick to the topic, let us find out all the items that we have to get an…
Isn’t this the same gangster minister who pulled out a gun in Parliament a few years ago, and nothing was done? See how this corruption fecal matter feeds on itself and grows? The clock is ticking, God is watching. These precious leaders will all tell us the truth in the wickedness of their system with their behaviours. Stay alert , smart, and aware. The show is just beginning.
i notice he had parts for two different firearns from the reported news. it is a standard operating procedure to conduct a search because he have a firearm license but have parts for two different pistols.
its sad that the law applies to different class of dominicans. yet when crime is at an all time high the politicians try and fix it with lip service. a compromised juducial system and corrupt politicians is the main recipy for a failed state
To dismiss such an airtight case for want of prosecution would be an act of insanity. But, then again, this is Dominica where the bizarre and the unthinkable is the norm.
One of the most serious problems in the country is the prevalence of illegal guns and ammunition on the streets. In an attempt to mitigate this problem of rising gun crime, there should be a mandatory jail sentence for anyone caught in possession or with the importation of these instruments of death.
It would be a monumental miscarriage of justice if Dr. Darroux were to escape
prosecution on a technicality because of a crooked and corrupt justice system. Dominica is in a perpetual state of anarchy due to the gross misgovernance of those in power.
I do not support crime and violence,I too was a crime fighter.The fact that this case was called in public and Darroux found guilty on Q95 by Matt Peltier Brian Linton and others from 13.00hrs is prejudicial and should be dismissed.It is the same damn interference by the media whore and Q95,in case of the disappearance of the 12 year old,why the case was never solved.I agree with Lawrence,this case should be dismissed.
touche’ or toofay!!!!!!!
Lennox Lawrence……….de case against de UWP members is unable to start for how many years????…..in your own words and mindset that case should be discontinued!
Anyway Kenneth plead guilty eh!
But what he doing with dem kinda dangerous guns nuh
He have enemy man
I can use my imagination on who else around Skerrit and in his cabinet carrying what!
That’s a very telling and suspect precedent!
So Skerrit……does such action qualify for dismissal?
wasn’t he one of the tired lazy bunch?
he who laughs last laughs de best!!!!!!
Created confusion. If the man is a license firearms holder and the so called accessories were all related his licensed firearm I would just say stupes and move on. However what has been listed are not accessories but parts that could be used to assembly a gun. Accessories are things like lasers, silencer, holsters etc. Is this an honest mistake? Perhaps it is but I am not buying.
Jail him to send a clear message. No slack for the wannabe gun slinger who has proven his ruthlessness in parliament by brandishing his gun. Further, it is my belief he knew darn well that he needed an import permit but, noooooooo, I am “Mister” Darroux, Special Envoy in the office of the SOS so I can order what I want regardless of what the law says. Another example of no law, no constitution practice by cabalists.
I am watching because allu putting Ma Kaiyee and Mr. Sang-Gwen children in jail for less than that even when they have the ability to pay a fine. Senator Whiteless should be called as a state witness because he threatened everyone with jailtime if they violate the Firearms & Ammunition Act. Lastly, Valarie and his command staff need to be commended for having the testicular and vaginal fortitude to arrest this goon. I know they had pressure not to arrest by “others”. Looks like a new day has dawned in the force but lets continue to monitor. JAIL HIM NOW!
Labour party doing what they do best, Dominica’s new band of crooks, criminals and bandits at large!
That was a very, speedy trial?
I wait to hear the outcome, before going into details with my comment.
DNO…the headline says the former minister pled guilty to the charge, but there was no mention of the sentence. Was the sentence deferred to a later date?
Surely given the gravity of the offense and the proliferation of guns and gun related crimes on the island, the public would reasonably expect a custodial sentence to send a message to those who might consider importing guns into the country. Making matters worse, this was a former minister and a current high level member of the government. If we cannot trust these people to uphold the law, who can we trust to do that?