Vindicated – Saint Jean

Saint Jean arriving at court this afternoon

“We have been vindicated!” are the words coming from Member for the La Plaine constituency and Minister for Education Petter Saint Jean after hearing that a high court had ruled that he and Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit had legally contested the December 2009 general elections.

Skerrit and Saint Jean were taken to court by Ron Green of La Plaine and Maynard Joseph of Vielle Case on the basis that they were dual citizens at the time they contested the 2009 general elections.

The court presented its judgment in a 49 page document this afternoon. Scores of supporters gathered outside the High Court Civil Division building on the Bay Front to celebrate.

Saint Jean and other members of cabinet were welcomed by these screaming supporters outside the court following the hearing.

Saint Jean told reporters, “We have said consistently from day one that the opposition has failed to prove their case and today the courts have spoken the constitution of Dominica has spoken out loud, even in accordance with the people of Dominica as according to the 18th of December, 2009 and we are indeed thankful.”

“Of course, it took tremendous toll, not only on us, as individuals but on the entire country and once for all we can set these matters behind us and move with the path of development that has been tracked for us by the Dominica Labour Party under the sterling leadership of Roosevelt Skerrit who is and will continue to be the prime minister of the Commonwealth of Dominica until the people so desire that that should change,” he told the media.

Meanwhile, Minister of tourism Ian Douglas said that while the UWP intends to file an appeal, DLP celebrations are not premature.

“We have always felt confident that we would come out victorious and that is what is the case today we are very happy, very confident. We believe in the judgment of the court. Although the judge didn’t go through the reasoning…it’s a very sound judgment and we’re very happy for this victory today,” Douglas said.

“We respect the judgment of the court, we believe that the judge was very sound in arguments. We are aware of the reasoning… we have always said that we would have abided one way or another at the judgment of the court,” he stated.

Lawyer for the Skerrit and Saint Jean team, Lennox Lawrence says he  is confident that the appeal will to be similarly thrown out.

“We were very clear that the petitions were very frivolous from the beginning and they were not able to be sustained.

So we are of the view that any appeal will meet the same fate. It will be thrown out anytime it reaches the court,” he said.

Lawrence said that the lesson to be learnt from the ruling is that, “you never go to court on sensational allegations. And whenever you are to go to court you must have evidence and you must have facts to prove the allegations.

“Someone asked me earlier what about the court of public opinion, well the court of public opinion never goes to the court of law.

And we are ruled not by public opinion but we are ruled by the court of law…so unless someone has the facts and the evidence to prove one should not go to the court at all. And one should keep sensational allegations outside of the court. And one has to rise at the level of proper litigation and these petitions were not of such a nature,” Lawrence said

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54 Comments

  1. Real Man
    January 12, 2012

    True to DA what is your opinion of Danny Lugay who is supposed to be a brother in the sister CUC church? truth is if he is a brother and true beliver then so is St.Jean AMEN

  2. True to DA
    January 11, 2012

    St Jean: I knew you as a CHRISTIAN BROTHER from the Pentecostal church in LaPlaine, but right now I think you have forgotten your first love “Jesus Christ” and have allowed earthly power to divert your attention away from Christ. I would advise you to read the book of “JUDGES” and “CHRONICLES” to get an idea of what happened to the power hungry earthly kings and priests who did evil in the eyes of the Lord.

    Our lives are read like a Bible by unbelivers everday and we ought to be examples in action, love, conversation, faith and purity. If I were you I would use my position in government to be a true witness for Christ and let others see the light of Christ in me. God is definitely on the side of leaders and he puts individuals in places of authority but does not want them to abuse their position. I am praying for you because it is my duty to do so.

    Go back to God with a repentant heart then witness to Skerrit. That may have been the reason why God allowed you to become a member of Parliament because he knew PHAROAH was going to lead Dominica. Believe it or not, you could have been the Moses of the time and it is probably not too late. But you have got to humble down and get a grip on biblical reality rather than letting this so called victory get to you head. Another diversion ploy of satan. I hope you did not get rid of your Bible. If you did, send a message via DNO with that same enthusiam that you have in this photo and I will delighted to send you one via UPS.

    IN CASE ANYONE FROM LA PLAINE SEES THIS MESSAGE, PLEASE GO UP TO BALIZIER AND LET PETTER KNOW THAT HE HAS A MESSAGE ON DNO.

    • LA CITY
      January 13, 2012

      If he was going up for WORKERS,you would never tell him go back to church. FYI,he is always at church every Sunday morning,and I hope you have not forgotten your first love because I sure know Petter haven’t abandon God,so stop judging the man.I guess the little boy for MA ALEXIE is a minister. DAT BURNING ALL U EH.

  3. Observer
    January 11, 2012

    base on law the ruling was right. It was dumb cse and a waste of tax-payers money.

    • 1979 Laughs out loud
      January 12, 2012

      JUST THE WAY YOU PHRASE YOUR COMMENT IS INDICATIVE OF WHAT YOU KNOW IN YOUR HEART!! LOLOL SMH AT U FOLKS SHAME SHAME SHAME

  4. January 11, 2012

    please tell me what is becoming of beautiful country,now only one party that can take some-one to courts and win even if they know the other one is telling the truth.what happen to the justic system is it failing to do what the pleage to do protect this country

  5. 100fuegos
    January 11, 2012

    OJ Simpson felt that way too. Look where he is today. Time sir. Time.

  6. Chris
    January 11, 2012

    St. Jean the man of his god Skerrit you should have said… “We have been Vindicated, now prepare to move to dictatorship”

  7. 1979 Laughs out loud
    January 11, 2012

    in your mind st jean….vindicated where????? its a figment of your imagination…….a GOOD NAME and CLEAN HANDS are better than silver an gold…….The torrent will persist because you are not clean friend……no court can absolve you from this judgement….

  8. smart one
    January 11, 2012

    remember dominicans no one is saying that the alligations were wrong meaning that they were correct . even tony said so . dont let any body and their big words fool u. labour party was wrong but uwp could not prove it and the did not bring in enough phisical evidence. they could not prove what they are saying.but labour themselves are not saying that that what they did was right or wrong

    • Anonymous
      January 11, 2012

      And that is exactly what the ruling indicates…some people done really understand that. The think all man lying on their PM. If them man wanted to prove themselves innocent of the charges, instead of not guilty, they would supply all evidence to clear their good names. But they are docking behind technicalities.

  9. hmmm wat a thing
    January 11, 2012

    there was one particluar witness the court was waitin on and had to even postpone the case for a little while and that is the worst thing they did. that witness put a blight on UWP. mr is a LIAR!!! and ron knows it. i am so HAPPY they lose.

  10. GoBeckMore
    January 11, 2012

    Wasn’t this guy a spiritual leader? I understand why people do not go to church but prayer in the privacy of their homes. Just need multiple to gather.

  11. for 2
    January 10, 2012

    god has the last say people

  12. Very concerned
    January 10, 2012

    The question is simple, were you qualified to contest the elections? Yes or No?
    Give an honest answer, I believe you and there was no need for the pain and suffering of this court case.
    Is there no honesty in politics? Even from a quasi pastor?

  13. matthew groll
    January 10, 2012

    peter you say your a man of god but judgement is coming soon my brother skerro is your god its coming bro beaware

  14. Aye Dominique
    January 10, 2012

    St. Jean is correct, the opposition have failed to prove their case with the help of the judge who denied their request to have St. Jean and Skerrit present their passports.

    The opposition should not loose courage, truth and righteousness always wins.

  15. DVT
    January 10, 2012

    The court of public Opion gave its first ruling on January 31 2000, then on appeal the court ruled this time by a clear majority on May 5th 2005. They matter was appealled again, the court was called to decide and by clear majority on December 18th 2009 the court ruled. So if that is not enough judgement against you then what is?

    • 1979 Laughs out loud
      January 11, 2012

      LOL…… verbal contortionist….. the truth wears no party colors my friend…

  16. CANDID
    January 10, 2012

    It is not like anyone is surprised at the decision for a number of reasons. The real evidence (the passport) is not accepted in court? Remember is not the truth that wins in Court. It is the persons with the more convincing lawyer. The person who can make the truth look like a lie and a lie look like the truth. The person who can get people to agree with them Is that not the reason why we have so many criminals winning their cases in court even if there are eyewitnesses?
    God is wide awake. He will let that go on for a season. For maybe even longer that we think we can bear. But Dominicans BEWARE. WOE COMES SWIFTLY. Dominicans are not labourites. Dominicans are Skerritites. When Skerrit fails Labour party fails too. Remember Mamo and Freedom Party? You see what Part Charlo in Now? You remember Eddo and UWP? You see where TimTim is now? Who was they key YFM Leader In the Village of VC. Was it not Skerrit? Wait and see. We do not have a real LABOUR Part. WAIT and SEE.They called Corruption on UWP and had no evidence. Nobody from UWP was taken to Court. In fact EDDO taking them to court now and Winning them One by one. But is in their administration Corruption lies.

    CORRUPTION!!!!CORRUPTION!!!!CORRUPTION!!!!CORRUPTION!!!!CORRUPTION!!!!CORRUPTION!!!!CORRUPTION!!!!CORRUPTION!!!!CORRUPTION!!!!CORRUPTION!!!!CORRUPTION!!!!CORRUPTION!!!!CORRUPTION!!!!CORRUPTION!!!!

  17. V.C
    January 10, 2012

    Congrats to Mr.Skerrit and Mr.St.Jean for setting new precedent today!!

    Now let me send out a call to all Dominican living abroad that are interested in representing their country in the Parliament, but are afraid they may have to give up their allegiance to a foreign state;
    I say FEAR NO MORE!!! You may enter. The Judges in the Caribbean do not have the power to order disclosure …………… therefore you don’t own a French, American, British or Spanish passport

    • Anonymous
      January 11, 2012

      I agree. So all those chinese, saudi arabians, iranians etc who got our passport through the economic citizenship programe can now come and run for elections are rule our

  18. Anonymous
    January 10, 2012

    The Court has ruled that the Law and Constitution in the Commonwealth of Dominica is impotent, Skerrit can therefore now move into his Chinese Presidential Palace and complete the sale of Dominica and Dominicans.

  19. Justice and Truth
    January 10, 2012

    Saint Jean congratulations to you. I visualize that it has been extremely difficult for you and posed anxiety. Now you can live your life in happiness and peace and continue your elected work of assisting your constituents. Keep up the work of doing good in DA for your constituents. God bless you!

    • 1979 Laughs out loud
      January 11, 2012

      sttttuuuppppeesssssss you are so F O S

  20. ONE STONE
    January 10, 2012

    Are you honest? Are you always honest? Have you always been honest? haven’t you ever wished for a break in times of wrong doings? If it was you what would you do? He who have no sin cast the first stone.

  21. WENDY
    January 10, 2012

    WILL YOU BE VINDICATED BY THE LORD ALMIGHTY? WHAT HAVE YOU GAINED TO LOOSE YOUR SOUL PASTOR PETTER ST JEAN?. GO WITH GOD AND SLEEP WELL TONITE

  22. Praying
    January 10, 2012

    what a pastor!!!Jugdement…..

  23. Mystic
    January 10, 2012

    Nobody in labor could care less about what happened to Peter St.Jean. As far as evrybody was concerned the court could have thrown him in a bottomless pit. It’s Skerrit everybody cared about.

    That’s not labor party that’s there, that is Skerrit party! All of you that have ever looked at the PM the wrong way, your time is comming. As for you Ian…u on borrowed time!

    Time will tell!

  24. Preacherman
    January 10, 2012

    It’s really mentally debilitating to witness to high level of injustice that was served today.But you know what? Dominica deserve this type of leadership. Because we have gone so far away from God that we calling “good bad, and bad good.” Peter St. Jean, as a professed man of God (I also being one) you have failed God in your supposed representation of Him. You have embrace corruption and thus lost your voice to be effective for God. I guess Jesus said it best “For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his soul?” Peter I guess you know the answer to that because I can see the torment in your eyes. You’ve failed miserably!!!! Repent

    • as i c it
      January 11, 2012

      there is a way that seemth right unto a man but the end thereof a the ways of death
      he who knows the truth and do it not shall be beaten with many stripes .take hid pastor peter st jean

  25. Satelite
    January 10, 2012

    I very much agree with you Mr. Lawrence. That is what the public needs to understand, when you go to court be sure that you have evidence to prove your case, THE COURT DEALS WITH EVIDENCE NOT FEELINGS. Thank you sir.

    • g
      January 10, 2012

      but is for one set dem police does just say i seen when the person run away but it was dark bbut i kno dat guy anytime i see him and up to stock E de person goin wat evidence is dat

    • Justice and Truth
      January 10, 2012

      @ Satelite

      You are so correct. When it applies to Court cases, feelings are redundant. The Court does not take into account feelings but on truth and proof of evidence.

    • dominique
      January 11, 2012

      why did she throw out the evidence? Don’t you think this is pathetic.

  26. hmmm
    January 10, 2012

    Peter and skero, you know all good things must come to an end- and what goes around comes around

    • Justice and Truth
      January 10, 2012

      @ hmmm

      The same for you. Keep watch.

    • hmmm
      January 11, 2012

      @ justice

      i will be there to watch people like you :wink:

  27. LA-girl
    January 10, 2012

    congrats 2 my parl rep hon peter st jean..may god continue 2 bless u as u represent us your ppl…. hope dominicans will just accept the decision and move on

    • Boetica
      January 11, 2012

      Dont worry about Peter, his god is always blessing him especially when refers to a much younger man than him as his father.
      And for your own sake LA-girl fear Him and refer to Him as God.

      • Dominican Abroad
        January 11, 2012

        And who is your God since you know who his God is? We LA girls do not need your advise.
        Thank you!

  28. g
    January 10, 2012

    go ask the loard to 4give u on sunday in church boi time really change in dat LA lol

  29. LAplaine
    January 10, 2012

    Congratulations my Pal Rep. And my PM God has spoken the people have spoken the court has Spoken.. You all are there to stay. God’s blessings…

  30. mr T
    January 10, 2012

    Lawrence said that the lesson to be learnt from the ruling is that, “you never go to court on sensational allegations. And whenever you are to go to court you must have evidence and you must have facts to prove the allegations.

    and that is why the young man from LA still in jail right do the cops have proof he have gun or was in shoot out only for one set

  31. Anonymous
    January 10, 2012

    VINDICATED !!!!!!!!!!!!!! Please you people have no integrity. I feel sorry for the masses of DOminica, because they beleive blindly in fools like you. men with no integrity and morals> MEn who will stand up and say I am vindicated by lies. PATHETIC !!!!!!!!!!

    • Justice and Truth
      January 10, 2012

      @ Anonymous

      What about you? Do you have integrity? Examine your conscience and actions.

  32. tiny
    January 10, 2012

    What does vindicated mean?records of your passports were not uncovered thus the courts ruling….it’s not like it have been proven that you guys did not apply for passports or travel on your foreign passports as adults…anyways I did not see the point of the case to begin with…no where on the constitution did I read that skerrit would no longer be able to run for the position of prime minister had he been found guilty

    • tiny
      January 10, 2012

      :-P
      He simply gav up his foreign citizenship….to be eligible to tun for the position

      • MABELLA
        January 10, 2012

        TINY GO READ A BOOK PLEAZ YOU UPSET ME WITH YOUR STUPID COMMENTS

  33. mouth of the south
    January 10, 2012

    only now you can talk huh… we expected this decision… only labourites (who are slow by nature) were holding there breathes… that’s why we didn’t bother to come down town… no law no constitution… but in reality we never fear… so go ahead with your victory… time will tell… i wonder if you feel confident to speak to a non-believer about the word of God… because as a christian your faith didn’t come first… if it did you would have done the honourable thing and take the stand or ask to.. then answer the question posed to you… you all hid like the cowards of darkness behind a legal counsel and now want to talk about vindication….. shame shame on all of you all… you all have spit on my constitution… spit on the good name of Dominica… you all have even made me question my allegience… to a nation who seem to not want any respect…

  34. Doc. Love
    January 10, 2012

    VINDICATED FROM REFUSING TO APPEAR IN COURT AND DEFEND YOURSELF AGAINST THE CHARGES.YOU REFUSED TO PRESENT A PASSPORT OR ANSWER WETHER YOU HAVE A PASSPORT OR NOT.ONCE AGAIN PATTER,DO YOU HAVE A FRENCH PASSPORT.UNTIL SUCH TIME THAT YOU ANSWER THIS PARTICULAR QUESTION THERE IS NO VINDICATION.PATTER MUST UNDERSTAND THAT THE PEOPLE HE TRIED TO WIN IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST ARE WAITING FOR AN HONEST ANSWER. I CAN EXPECT SKERRIT NOT TO THANK GOD FOR THE DECISION,BUT PATTER,WHAT A RELIGIOUS SHAME.THE EVIL THAT MEN DO DOEN’T LIVE WITH THEIR CHILDREN WHEN THEY ARE DONE,BUT WITH THE EVIL DOERS WHILE THEY ARE ON EARTH.

    • Nature Boy
      January 10, 2012

      Judge not, therefore ye may not be judged!
      He who accuses must prove!

    • ?????????????
      January 10, 2012

      So what you are the lawyer – Defense or Prosecutor. Man move on .. get real and move on with the task of building the country. Trop parler paka wanjer zafer. Time for you all to do something for the development of Dominica. Why did you not a judge so you could ask that question? Why Doc love don’t you find a project to work on in your community or where you live so people will see your works. Then you and your party will win some votes instead of always losing by your very action and comments. Do you think that all the UWP supporters are daft?

  35. pal rep
    January 10, 2012

    tht government lik fren….

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