Prosecution of attackers of Dominica teen in Antigua faces hurdle

Azoo in hospital in Antigua

A law which was implemented a few years ago, is seemingly making it difficult for the police in Antigua and Barbuda to arrest the five youngsters who stomped a young Dominican, almost killing him.

Acting Police Commissioner in St. Johns, Atley Rodney, who is Dominican, said law enforcement must follow procedures before they can even question Jahhym Azoo’s attackers.

Azoo, the victim of the attack, remains in critical condition at the Mount St. John’s Medical Center (MSJMC) after he was reportedly robbed, beaten and stomped by five young men in the vicinity of the Greenbay Primary School earlier this month. They reportedly took his Adidas slippers and his mobile phone.

But Rodney told State TV that police are ensuring they follow procedures set out in the Child Justice Act since the suspects are all minors and under the age of 18.

“We are speaking not only to the officers that are dealing with it, but also to the other stakeholders when it comes to juvenile matters, so the other agencies are involved and we are trying to bring some solution to this problem.”

The Act, passed by Parliament in late 2015, established a Child Justice Board to deal with the initial inquiries into allegations against children. In this case, the children involved must also be assessed by a social worker prior to being taken before the Board.

Meanwhile the Grays Farm community has started a protest calling for justice for Azoo.

 

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9 Comments

  1. The Darkness
    September 16, 2019

    This is unacceptable. Those children can cause all the crimes of violence they want and be left alone so long?

    What if vigilante justice gets carried out?

    Or they commit to suicide out of guilt?

    Too late then… Fix your laws!!!!

    The law works against people not for.

    Absolute rubbish!

  2. Is that so?
    September 16, 2019

    The young man struggling to stay alive and law enforcement can’t even start to help? To the family, just put a catholic mass on those who beat him. They must find their bodies floating in a mosquito pond somewhere.

  3. Kalinago Justice
    September 15, 2019

    If I am that boy lying in the hospital and I happen to survive, revenge is mines!

  4. Di Londoner
    September 15, 2019

    Don’t blame Dominicans for the repercussions!

  5. Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
    September 15, 2019

    Law enforcement, and the judiciary of Antigua is as crooked as it is in Dominica!

    They kill in broad daylight in Antigua and get away with it. Years ago, my late biological brother by mother Inspector Almoor Robin while serving in the Royal Antigua Police force was murdered; gun down in broad daylight a few hundred yards from his house.

    While visiting with his friend in a box candy shop, four young boys, one born to a Dominican mother went to commit strong arm robbery.

    When they discovered my brother recognized them, the one with the gun decided to murder my brother.

    The boy of Dominica parentage told his mother who took him to the police and implicated himself.

    All four were arrested.

    The matter played out in court where a verdict was rendered: “sufficient evidence to prosecute.”

    What better evidence is needed than one of the murderer  pointed his finger, at the shooter; and told the court “he did it; he shot the victim?”

  6. September 15, 2019

    There must be justice for Jahhym Azoo’s. What transpired was savage and animalistic. I don’t care if these vermin are minors or majors. These fungus among us must be punished. Imagine almost losing your life over a pair of sneakers and a cell phone. This is total lack of morality, gross absence of humanity, and misplaced values. If these youths get away with this crime, I am almost positive, they will graduate to more serious crimes. Go and read the story about Joey Farma of Brooklyn, NY. He used to beat up his classmates in kindergarten, later on in life, he murdered a teenager name Yusuf Hawkins; google it. Anybody with even a microscopic amount of morality should be doing everything he or she can to ensure that Jahhym Azoo’s and his family get justice. Fortunately, we have social media, so there are many avenues to advocate for justice for the young man. There must be compensation also. Sue the parents for as much as possible. Sue them grass. We will stay ontop of this one for…

  7. %
    September 15, 2019

    I am confident that justice will be served, because this attack was like attempted murder to me. I like to see the protesters!! Good sign!!!?
    By the way does Dominica have an OECS ambassador? I am just asking!!!

  8. Gouvelma
    September 15, 2019

    Woa! Woa! Easy! This statement by Acting Commissioner of Police Atlee Rodney emphasizes my belief that ANY and EVERY Commissioner of Police should have a legal background. The statement Rodney that the police are hampered because of their age or any law passed is totally and utterly untrue. Instead he should have been ininstituting disciplinary charges against his subordinates for neglect of duty. However when you do not know you just dont know. The police have a duty to do and must do it. Those thugs should long have been arrested. The police’s responsbility and in this case was to investigate arrest and submit their file to the DPP. Having received the file the DPP would do whatever procedural requirements are necessary. Any committee as mandated by law do their work outside of the police. Considering this is the most severe of the offences against the person the police should have long acted. They have failed the victim and the public and exposed the incompetence of the…

  9. Bwa-Banday
    September 15, 2019

    What kind of BS law is that? While I understand the need to juvenile justice to be measured this does not make sense. So if a juvenile would kill a police officer or god forbid used by someone to shoot down an airplane in Antigua that is what would happen? Well let me say now; ‘ calling all drug barons in Antigua, you now have a very lucrative way of selling, trafficking or even illegal exporting drugs out of Antigua. SMMFH

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