Prosecution dismisses firearm case against former Police Inspector

Three firearm related charges filed by the police against retired Inspector of Police, Evans John, have been struck out from the court.

In 2021, John, who resides at 10th Street, Canefield, was accused of discharging his firearm to the danger of people and possession of a firearm with intent to injure two individuals.

It was alleged that on June 19, 2021, about 12:30 a.m, the accused discharged two rounds of ammunition from his licensed firearm.

Later that day, Seymour Darroux, male adult of 10th Street, Canefield, who is the son of ex-Chief of Police Simon Darroux, made a report to the police.

Corporal Garvin James launched an investigation into the matter and the firearm in question was seized for the purpose of the investigation.

Despite John’s claims that the ammunition was discharged to protect his granddaughter, three charges were preferred against him which included discharging a firearm to the danger of persons, possession of firearm with intent to injure Seymour Darroux and possession of firearm with intent to injure Acreena Stoute.

When the matter came for hearing on April 25, 2022, Police prosecutor, Inspector Frank Commodore told the court that the prosecution would offer no evidence in the matter and made an application for the case to be dismissed.

Presiding Magistrate Michael Laudat yielded to the prosecutions request and struck off the case for ‘want of prosecution.’

“These were very serious offenses that you were charged with,” Magistrate Laudat stated to John, “but the prosecution offered no evidence so you are free to go.”

The retired Inspector of Police thanked the court before his departure.

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15 Comments

  1. Lin clown
    April 29, 2022

    That it the thing it is OK for Fontaine to speak on a UWP political platform,after which uwp supporters set fire to the capital city of Roseau.Lennox Linton leader of uwp was heard telling Matt Peltier”what you see going on there will not stop until Skerrit resigns””That is a pure case of an attempted overthrow.Patrick Roland John and Malcolm Reid were sentenced to 12 years and Julien David was sentenced to 5 years,charged with conspiracy to overthrow the government after operation RED DOG.There is no difference between operation red dog and operation TRUCK organised by the supporters of UWP.On the day in question I,e February 7 2017,Thompson Fontaine was a speaker and a part of the political meeting.Based on what was said in the meeting of February 7 2017,the supporters left and destroyed Roseau.On that night Roseau was like Ukraine,fire and destruction everywhere.Dr,Ferreira was hit with a $150,000 damage.Somebody have to pay for that,wicked sons of Satan,I am glad John got away..

  2. We the People
    April 29, 2022

    “…was accused of discharging his firearm to the danger of people and possession of a firearm with intent to injure two individuals.”

    This sounds strange. How exactly was the firearm discharged? Was anyone injured? I guess that is why the matter was dropped – where is the evidence. And how does one possess a firearm with intent to injure two persons? I am sure I read that Mr. John said the firearm was discharged to protect his grand daughter.

  3. Nine
    April 29, 2022

    We are to quick to blame the Police and the system…the complainant came to the court and said he is no longer interested in prosecuting Evans John..hence the prosecution had no choice but to struck off the matter…

    Hot debate. What do you think? Thumb up 2 Thumb down 6
    • Bwa-Banday
      April 29, 2022

      He had no choice because he known darn well if Big Stick wanted to hit him today he would either be among the angels or burning in hell. Nonetheless, I am happy that the said Big Stick live to fight another day and his grandchild is safe. On the other hand, the investigator did a lousy job.

      This incident “in defense of another” should have never resulted in court charges. Some of these investigators today simply believe a “perceived offense” is already cooked. They forget what they were taught at the Morne by the legends.. Alpe, Duke, Weekes et al. I wonder if the advanced training for serving officers instituted by the Commissioner Ensley Pierre is still being done.

    • Marty
      April 30, 2022

      Has money been flowing freely again…?

  4. Bwa-Banday
    April 29, 2022

    Looks like the said Big Stick forgot how to aim well!

    Dead men tell no tales Mr. John. In defense of your grand child there should be no holds barred. You fired warning shots and still some here want you to be prosecuted instead of being grateful. Next time do not fire any “warning” shots. If you send them to meet their maker then they will tell no lies to people and investigators. Partner go back to the range and practice because you skills are becoming stale. I take comfort in knowing that they will not try that again because you missed the targets because you were being nice.

    Hot debate. What do you think? Thumb up 3 Thumb down 6
  5. The Old prophet
    April 29, 2022

    26 And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how shall then his kingdom stand? Matt 12:26
    That’s the problem we have in Dominica today with the government, police, judiciary and just about anything. It’s a satanic, demonic and ungodly system where injustice is the norm but they will go all out after good people like Dr Fontaine and the opposition. It’s a Demonic Satanic system of government

    Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 10 Thumb down 3
  6. DNO Reader
    April 29, 2022

    I love DNO but this article left me so disappointed.
    You couldn’t provide facts about the case?
    Was Mr. John protecting his grand daughter from Mr. Darroux?
    He was actually charged with intent to injure the ex-commissioners’ son who was apparently on his property at 12:30am..presumably in the company of the granddaughter..
    But all we can do is speculate since you gave us barely any information.
    Awah DNO..you can do better

    Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 1
  7. Ibo France
    April 28, 2022

    Three very serious charges involving the discharge of ammunition with the intent to cause serious bodily harm or murder.

    After reading this article, one got no real details about what really information as to the what transpired before the shooting. DNO, you need investigative reporters. Your stories are mostly bland and vacuous.

    This is an important observation from the article. This case involved the discharge of a deadly weapon. Instead of having a bona fide, experienced lawyer or prosecutor to prosecute the case, a poor substitute ( inarticulate police officer) was given the duty to do such. Justice in Dominica is like a fleeting illusion. Everything has gone awry in the country, even justice.

    Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 15 Thumb down 4
  8. Truth Be Told
    April 28, 2022

    Wow – Police taking care of their own!

    Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 13 Thumb down 3
  9. Zandoli
    April 28, 2022

    So why would the charge be laid in the first place if there was no evidence of wrong-doing? I am not a lawyer, but I have read and listened to enough prosecutors who, despite public pressure refuse to lay charges because they know there would like little change of a conviction, for lack of evidence.

    What a bunch of knuckleheads.

    Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 9 Thumb down 1
  10. L C Matthew
    April 28, 2022

    Former police inspector, former police Commissioner son, current magistrate and former police officer and current inspector prosecutor. SMFH….. This sounds like a family dispute. I bet all these men at some point worked or interacted with each other. Sounds like grudges and conflict of interest. Sounds like a waste of valuable time. There are a few people in there that should probably recuse themselves. It seems to me that offering no evidence is a decision not to try the case. Should it not be we dont have and cannot find enough evidence to try case instead of deciding to provide no evidence? Are you telling me the state investigated and decided to just not provide the evidence in court? Hmmmm hmmm hmm. For my layman brains we need clarity. If that is the case then trial is based on whether the prosecutor feels like it?

    Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 15 Thumb down 2
  11. Toto
    April 28, 2022

    Hmmm, was someone leaned on I wonder. Didn’t Evans work for Jaques Gaddarkan some time. A case of of whom you know and not what you know perhaps.

    Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 15 Thumb down 1
  12. Nancy
    April 28, 2022

    Why not convict Mr. John? He is not above the law- what does he think he can allegedly discharged his weapon like he is in the wild west.? This police service is so incompetent- It seems like it was an easy case and yet still they offered no evidence. But 15 police officers in 3 vehicles went to the airport to arrest diplomat Dr. Fontaine. I guess all the crime is solved in Dominica.- Sad

    Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 16 Thumb down 2

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