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Bagatelle teen charged for murder of Guyanese man

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Matthew Defleurmon Jr. (left) was charged for the murder of Michael Pooran

(SNO) — A 19-year-old from Bagatelle, Castries is now facing a charge of murder in the killing of Guyanese national Michael Pooran.

Pooran, 26, was stabbed to death on February 24 in the community.

Police from the Marchand Police Station responded to the incident around 5 a.m. on that day.

On February 27, Matthew Defleurmon Jr., aka Bow Man, was formally arrested and charged for the offence of murder.

The police said he was escorted to the First District Court where he was remanded in custody.

(10)(0)

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Saint Lucian in Martinique shot and killed because of noise complaint?

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Terry Alcindor

(SNO) — Police in Martinique are investigating reports that a 22-year-old Saint Lucian man may have been shot by his 53-year-old male neighbour due to a dispute stemming from a noise complaint or a theft allegation, according to reports gleaned from France-Antilles Martinique and Martinique la 1ère.

The fatal shooting occurred around 6 p.m. on Tuesday, March 5 in in Pays Mélé, Lamentin.

The deceased has been identified as 22-year-old Terry Alcindor.

He was originally from Babonneau in Saint Lucia but had been living in Martinique with his mother for about two years, according to reports.


According to media reports in Martinique, a heated argument allegedly developed after the 53-year-old man complained about noise.

The argument reportedly turned physical with Alcindor allegedly wounding the 53-year-old who then ran home to fetch his firearm.

The senior neighbour allegedly returned, chased Alcindor and shot him several times.

Alcindor died shortly after in hospital, according to media reports.

The shooter was arrested and charged. He appeared in court but the judge had ordered that he be further remanded in prison.

He was scheduled to appeal this decision through his lawyers on Tuesday, March 12.

Media reports in Martinique have also suggested that the shooting may have stemmed from an allegation surrounding the theft of auto parts.

Sources

(6)(0)

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Bordelais boss comments after senior officer busted with drugs and other contraband at facility

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BCF

(SNO) — Deputy Director of the Bordelais Correctional Facility (BCF) Leonard Terrance has said criminal activities at the prison will not be tolerated after a senior officer was arrested on Monday, March 11 for trafficking contraband into the facility.

The veteran officer was reportedly busted with marijuana, sim cards, razors, lighters, cigarettes and other contraband.

The officer is expected to be charged for the offence/s later.

Speaking to HTS, Terrance, who is also the officer in charge, confirmed that the incident occurred but could not provide details because the case is under police investigation.

However, he said: “I don’t know of any organisation that allows for any illicit activities to take place … and ours is no different.”

Reports are that the BCF was arrested for a similar case a few years ago but the matter was dismissed.

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UPDATED: Man fatally shot during supermarket robbery in Castries

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(SNO) — Police are investigating the fatal shooting of a male in Castries city Wednesday evening.

According to police, the deceased, 51, was shot during an alleged robbery at Ralph’s Supermarket in the area of Waterworks and Cedars Roads.

He died on the spot, in the supermarket, police sources said.

Emergency services told our newsroom they responded at 8:15 p.m. to the report.

Reports are that the deceased, believed to be the husband of the proprietor, was shot in the face, by one of two masked individuals.

No further details available.

(0)(11)

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Cannabis Movement presents policy paper to government of Saint Lucia

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(SNO) –– The Cannabis Movement in Saint Lucia has presented a policy paper to the government on the regulated future of the now-illegal herb on the island.

In a letter to the cabinet secretary, the Movement said the paper is a compilation of the CARICOM Cannabis Report and a nine-day PEMANDU Lab, which was held in December 2018 with inputs from representatives of Rastafarian religious leaders, cannabis growers, the medical fraternity, cannabis brokers and vendors, and cannabis consumers.

“Similar to the Government thrust to expand public/private partnerships, The CANNABIS Movement offers to use its expertise in bringing a legalized, regulated regime to Saint Lucia,” the letter said. “We are confident that if Government entrusts us with coordinating the national operation of a regulated regime, the $40 million XCD in tax and fee revenue projected by the PEMANDU exercise will be realized for the GoSL with very little effort or expense on their part.”

The 28-page policy paper is entitled “A roadmap to regulating the cannabis market in Saint Lucia”.

It covers a wide range of subjects including negative assumptions on cannabis, considerations for children and youth, the use of the herb in religions practices, the medical and scientific context of cannabis, the economic basis for cannabis law reform, among others.

“The purpose of this white paper is to propose a regulatory framework for the sacramental, medicinal, personal, industrial and commercial use of cannabis in Saint Lucia,” a section of the paper reads. “This information in this paper is based on, consultations of the Saint Lucia Cannabis Movement with various stakeholders, the published findings of the CARICOM Cannabis Commission and the outcome of the PEMANDU Saint Lucia Social and Economic Lab output on Agriculture and specifically drawing on the sub-area: Cannabis Reform – Syndication Session 6 December 201.”

The Cannabis Movement has been at the forefront of calling for legal changes regarding cannabis on the island.

It has already met with the government, the opposition, and has appealed to Prime Minister Allen Chastanet to make a public statement on the intentions of his administration regarding cannabis law reform.

(1)(0)

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Castries businessman sustained “multiple gunshot wounds”— police

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(SNO) — Police have formally identified the latest homicide victim as 51-year-old Stan Pistol of Cedars, Castries.

Pistol, the co-owner of Ralph’s Supermarket, was fatally shot during an alleged robbery at his business place in Cedars on Wednesday evening, March 13.

Police said in a press release on Thursday that officers of the Criminal Investigation Department responded to the shooting at about 8:15 p.m.

Pistol, also known as Mr. Brown, sustained “multiple gunshot wounds” and was taken to Victoria Hospital where he was pronounced dead, the release stated.

“He was allegedly shot whilst at his business place at Cedars,” the release further stated. “A post mortem examination is to be scheduled for a subsequent date. Investigations are ongoing in this matter.”

Reports indicate that two masked men held up the supermarket located at the junction of Waterworks and Cedars roads.

Residents reported hearing the sound of multiple gunshots.

“When I heard the first 6 I said one down then about 2 minutes after heard another 6 but sounded a little away from the first set smh,” Denver Flermius wrote on Facebook.

Annel Xanandou Beausoliel also wrote: “the fact that i sat in my balcony and heard all the gun shots was just chilling to me.”

(0)(9)

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Cedars community still in shock at senseless murder of businessman Stanley Pistol

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Stanley Pistol

(SNO) — Residents of the Cedars neighbourhood in Castries have been left shock at the murder of businessman Stan Pistol, also affectionately known as Mr. Brown.

Pistol was shot multiple times during an alleged robbery on Wednesday, March 13 at his businessvplace, Cross Roads Mini Mart, also known as Ralph’s Supermarket.

“The neighbourhood is heart broken,” one person wrote. “These guys stole the cash register and still shot the man…! This man was such a cool guy to every single person. Hearing his daughter cry last night was just heart-wrenching.

According to the source, his wife was the victim of a robbery at the same mini mart some time ago. It is reported that two individuals carried out the robbery at the time. Interestingly, two masked individual reportedly carried out last evening’s robbery and murder.

“They robbed the wife first then he made sure he was always at the shop with her. Recently they came to rob him and he told them ‘go ahead take what you want’. The two thieves were so shocked they looked at each other and ran off instead, maybe thinking that’s not normal for him to surrender things so easily, and this time they saw it necessary to take the man life … and then run Marchand,” the source added.

Police said in a release Monday that officers responded to the scene at about 8:15 p.m. and that Pistol was transported to Victoria Hospital with multiple gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead later by a medical doctor, the release stated.

Many persons have expressed shock that the life of such a “nice guy” could have been taken.

“Omg omg smh I can’t even believe this right now,” Shervonne Poleon wrote.

Alex Joseph Stanislas replied, “neither do I. (He) was a very nice guy thou.”

Kimberley Kimz Nelson said she last saw Pistol in February when she visited Saint Lucia.

“Just visited home in February and saw u after a few years…had a laugh and a hug from u and now coming to find out about this….it breaks my heart, u didn’t deserve it, anyone else who knows u knew that u were such a caring and friendly person….my prayers and condolences to ur wife, children and family.”

Chanelle Gervais also commented: R.I.p Mr brown, what money the man had in the shop like that for you’ll to kill him,that’s just sad.”

(0)(0)

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Grandmother threatens jungle justice after alleged sexual assault on grandson

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(SNO) — A grandmother from the south of the island is threatening to take matters into her own hands and seek her own type of justice after she alleged that her 14-year-old grandson was sexually assaulted by a man that is well known to her.

MBC Prime reported that the incident took place on Monday.

The television network said the matter began after the grandmother sent her son on some errands with the man.

The two left on a vehicle but upon his return, the grandmother noticed that he was not behaving in the usual manner.

It was then he confided in her what actually took place.

“He tell me when the man reached up there, the man tell him if he love him,” she explained. “He tell me, he tell the man yes because you are my grandmother’s friend and so I love you as a friend.”

The grandmother went on to say the man explained he had an erection already and where they should “meet to do something”.

The boy himself told MBC what happened, mirroring exactly what the grandmother revealed.

“She asked the man to give me a ride to go uptown so I could buy some oil for her,” he said. “So while we were coming back, he stopped the vehicle for a moment. He said, ‘tell me, be honest with me, you like me?’ So I say, ‘you are my grandmother’s friend, as a friend’. So he said,’ just say yes’.”

The alleged suspect then made plans for them to meet at the beach but the teenager turned down the request, according to the grandmother.

She said she has not reported the matter to the police since the teenager was allegedly molested at 11 by an individual from the community but the perpetrator remains free.

Now facing this latest episode the grandmother wants to mete out her own form of justice.

“If I tell you how I feel, you don’t even know,” she told MBC. “What I feel, as he comes there, as he appears in the door there, just take my cutlass and chop his thing because he has to come here. The first thing, it’s taking too long, the first one is taking too long. The second one, I want to take the law by my own self.”

(6)(0)

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Wife of Saint Lucia’s latest homicide victim says “it’s tough”

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Stan Pistol (right) and his wife

(SNO) — The wife of Saint Lucia’s latest victim of gun violence has said she is going through a tough time since the incident took place.

The victim, 51-year-old businessman Stan Pistol, aka Mr. Brown, was shot during an alleged robbery at his business place, Kross Roads Mini Mart, also known as Ralph’s Supermarket, in junction of Waterworks and Cedars Roads in Castries.

“Do they even know what the family is going through?” the wife of the man told HTS News, referring to the individuals who killed her husband. “The friends? The kids that they left fatherless? The wife husband-less? To face everything that I am going through right now and will continue going through, it’s tough.”

Her nightmare began on Wednesday evening after returning from work to meet her husband at the store they own.

“I parked my vehicle, about to go and meet him so that we can close up to come home,” she told HTS. “And I saw a young lady running up the road and after that just gun shots …”

She said when she left her vehicle, she just knew that the shots were coming from the supermarket.

“When I got there, he was just lying down in a pool of blood with customers, people, the neighbours, surrounding, just there lifeless,” she recounted.

She went on to say that only when incidents such as this happens to someone personally, they know how hard it is.

“It is not easy,” she remarked. “Last night was the worst things that have ever happened to me.”

Residents, too, have been left shock by the murder.

“The neighbourhood is heart broken,” one person wrote. “These guys stole the cash register and still shot the man…! This man was such a cool guy to every single person. Hearing his daughter cry last night was just heart-wrenching.

According to the source, his wife was the victim of a robbery at the same mini mart some time ago. It is reported that two individuals carried out the robbery at the time. Interestingly, two masked individual reportedly carried out last evening’s robbery and murder.

“They robbed the wife first then he made sure he was always at the shop with her. Recently they came to rob him and he told them ‘go ahead take what you want’. The two thieves were so shocked they looked at each other and ran off instead, maybe thinking that’s not normal for him to surrender things so easily, and this time they saw it necessary to take the man life … and then run Marchand,” the source added.

Many persons have expressed shock that the life of such a “nice guy” could have been taken.

“Omg omg smh I can’t even believe this right now,” Shervonne Poleon wrote.

Alex Joseph Stanislas replied, “neither do I. (He) was a very nice guy thou.”

Kimberley Kimz Nelson said she last saw Pistol in February when she visited Saint Lucia.

“Just visited home in February and saw u after a few years…had a laugh and a hug from u and now coming to find out about this….it breaks my heart, u didn’t deserve it, anyone else who knows u knew that u were such a caring and friendly person….my prayers and condolences to ur wife, children and family.”

Chanelle Gervais also commented: R.I.p Mr brown, what money the man had in the shop like that for you’ll to kill him,that’s just sad.”

Reports indicate that two masked men held up the supermarket located at the junction of Waterworks and Cedars roads.

Police said in a release Monday that officers responded to the scene at about 8:15 p.m. and that Pistol was transported to Victoria Hospital with multiple gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead later by a medical doctor, the release stated.

Residents reported hearing the sound of multiple gunshots.

“When I heard the first 6 I said one down then about 2 minutes after heard another 6 but sounded a little away from the first set smh,” Denver Flermius wrote on Facebook.

Annel Xanandou Beausoliel also wrote: “the fact that i sat in my balcony and heard all the gun shots was just chilling to me.”

To date, there has been no formal report indicating an arrest.

(2)(5)

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Woman arrested for urinating in Castries

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Mayor Peterson Francis

(SNO) — A woman was arrested for urinating in Castries along with a number of persons, an official from the Office of the Mayor has confirmed.

According to the official, this was the first time a female was arrested for the offence. No further information on her arrest was immediately available.

The official also disclosed that some 15 persons have been arrested for urinating or indecent exposure this weekend.

Majority of the arrests were carried out next to the Soufriere bus stop, near a bar, in the city by several City Police officers, the source disclosed.

Mayor Peterson Francis had revealed recently that his office earns about $1,000 weekly in fines for the indecent-exposure offence.

(7)(2)

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Stabbing in Ravine Poisson leaves man in critical condition

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Kent Etienne

(SNO) – A 36-year-old man is battling for life in hospital after he was stabbed, allegedly by a teenager, in Ravine Poisson recently.

The victim is Kent Etienne, who is now a patient of the Intensive Care Unit of Victoria Hospital.

A relative told St. Lucia News Online that the 17-year-old suspect is known to Etienne and that the stabbing is alleged to have occurred in an argument over a bike.

The relative is upset that “people don’t want to talk” to the police even though they know who the suspect is and where he can be found.

Kent Etienne

Police said the Criminal Investigation Department received the report of the stabbing around 1 a.m. on Saturday.

The officers have not interviewed the victim as yet because he still recovering from surgery.

“My cousin told me he hasn’t said a word, he has tubes in his mouth,” the relative disclosed.

According to police sources, they received reports that after Etienne was stabbed, he collapsed and was rushed to hospital by ambulance in critical condition.

Though his condition is stabilised, it still remains critical, sources said.

(0)(4)

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Trial date set for Amber Guyger in Botham Jean murder case

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Botham Jean (left) and Amber Guyger

(DALLAS NEWS) — Former Dallas police Officer Amber Guyger had a court date Monday but the only movement in the case happened outside the courtroom.

Her murder trial was set Monday for Aug. 12 — less than a year since Guyger shot and killed Botham Jean in his own apartment. She was off-duty but still in uniform when she shot Jean once in the chest.

Murder cases in Dallas County usually take more than a year to go to trial. It’s also common for trials to be delayed.

Guyger told law enforcement she confused Jean’s apartment with her own and thought he was a burglar. She said his door was unlocked and ajar, though Jean’s family has questioned that account.

Even though nothing happened in the courtroom, Guyger is obligated to appear at the courthouse. That doesn’t mean nothing is happening in the case. It just doesn’t happen in public.

An “announcement setting” was scheduled for Monday. This wasn’t a formal hearing before the judge, State District Judge Tammy Kemp.

But Kemp could have decided she wants to see Guyger, her attorneys Robert Rogers and Toby Shook, and Dallas County prosecutor Jason Hermus in her courtroom or chambers.

What is an ‘announcement setting’?

Usually this period of a criminal case passes with little notice from the public. But the death of Jean, a 26-year-old accountant who wanted to one day return to his native St. Lucia and run for prime minister, was international news. Local and national reporters and photographers show up for Guyger’s court settings.

Announcement settings serve several purposes, said defense attorney Becky Dodds, a former Dallas prosecutor. But mainly, she said, it helps the judge hold attorneys and defendants who are free on bond, like Guyger, accountable.

Dodds said her clients often ask “why am I here?” when they show up but don’t appear before a judge. She explains to defendants that the requirement they show up benefits them.

The settings give defendants a chance to talk to their attorneys, Dodds said. Some lawyers communicate better than others, and requiring defendants and defense attorneys to show up is essentially the judge asking: “Hey, lawyers, are you talking to your clients?”

Typically, these dates allow the defense and prosecutors to talk about evidence in the case, possible plea deals and sentence recommendations.

Plea deals don’t happen after one meeting, Dodds said. Such agreements are reached over time. New evidence could mean prosecutors change the deal they offered: probation or more or less prison time.

(4)(0)

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Suspect nabbed with firearm outside Bordelais was not cooperative

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BCF

(SNO) — A male, who was nabbed outside the Bordelais Correctional Facility (BCF) on Monday with an illegal firearm containing one round of ammunition, was initially not cooperating with law enforcement officials, according to reliable sources

The individual was searched then arrested by special operations correctional officers around 10 a.m. after he was observed behaving suspiciously.

He was handed over to the Dennery police.

Initially, he was not cooperating with the police, including providing his name, and other information, sources said. It is not yet known if law enforcement officials have since received his information.

The incident comes about a week after veteran prison officer was nabbed at the BCF in his attempt to allegedly traffic marijuana, telephone sim cards, razor blades, lighters and other items in the prison.

(1)(0)

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Grand Riviere shooting victim requires another major surgery

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Robert Stanley

(SNO) — A GoFundMe account has been created to assist in raising funds for entrepreneur and photographer Robert “Bobby” Stanley who was shot earlier this year.

He has already undergone a major surgery to remove a bullet that was lodged in his head but now has to undergo another to remove fluids in the same part of his body.

The surgery costs $20,000 and relatives are appealing for assistance.

“We ask for your support with the cost of this surgery and the after-care of Bobby,” relatives said in forming the GoFundMe account. “He would require physiotherapy and other supplies to enable him to become the Bobby we know and love.”

The incident that changed Stanley’s life took place after 11 p.m. on Wednesday, February 27, 2019 in Morne Serpent, Grand Riviere, Gros Islet.

The GoFundMe account creator said Stanley was laying down on a sofa at home when he was “shot twice in the head”. Other reports suggests that Stanley, who is in his late 20s, was shot by a lone gunman, as he slept.

“Our family was broken, we thought we lost him,” his relatives said. “Frantically our family began to put money together so he could have a surgery ($40,000) to remove the bullet which is lodged in his head in hopes to save his life. Bobby is strong, very strong and the surgery went ok.”

They said Stanley was placed in a coma to help his body heal and when he was taken out, it showed how strong he was with his quick response.

However, more bad news was to follow since recent MRIs show that he had fluids in his head.

Relatives were told that he would have to undergo another major surgery to remove the fluids, which costs $20,000.

“We thank you for support in advance,” the relatives said.

Link to assist:

https://www.gofundme.com/bobby-stanley-life-changing-journey?fbclid=IwAR1sVHmcMZE4dVRKxzSCwmsERolywVkACb4Ih-0NQ31LFWys1mM2f-QP1Q0

(16)(3)

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McDoom blasts marijuana legalization in Saint Lucia as hypocrisy: “What about the buggery law?”

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Vincent McDoom (left0 and Allen Chastanet

(SNO) — Saint Lucian Parisian fashion celebrity Vincent McDoom is blasting the government’s plan to legalize marijuana and is questioning what is being done about buggery laws on the island.

Last week, Prime Minister Allen Chastanet told The Star Newspaper that Saint Lucia is on it way to decriminalise the herb but McDoom is not overly impressed.

“What a pity we are never pioneers of a movement,” he wrote on his Facebook page. “We simply jump on the bandwagon once the train is already on track… but I guess they see the $$$ to be made personally in the decriminalisation of weed which should not have been a crime in the first place. The Flagrant hypocrisy is glaring.”

He asked what is being done about buggery laws on the island.

“What about the buggery law?” McDoom asked.

According to the dictionary, buggery is “the insertion of the male member into the anus of another person or animal (or an animal’s vagina)”.

In 2017, McDoom targeted government minister Sarah Flood-Beaubrun for demonizing the LGBTQ community in Saint Lucia.

In an open letter to her, he wrote, “Lately, it seems no matter what question you are asked, whether it is about sex offenders’ registry, rape, child molestation, abortion, adultery, abuse, crime, human rights, you always seem to find a way to make a link to homosexuality.”

He said all the LGBTQ community on the island is asking for is for the removal of buggery from the criminal code, so it is no longer a criminal act.

“You are an attorney, and you know the difference, yet you do what politicians like yourself do; you muddle up the issue, demonize the LGBTQ community so you will not have to address the issue of the removal of buggery from the criminal code. Then you are seen as a saint in eyes of your constituents and that will help guarantee your win at the next election,” McDoom wrote.

(12)(16)

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Saint Lucia police reaches agreement with gov’t on benefits for police officers

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Members of the local police force on duty. * Photo credit: St. Lucia Star

(SNO) — The Police Welfare Association (PWA) and the government have reached an agreement on at least one aspect of industrial matters for the 2016-2019 triennium.

PWA President Travis Chicot told HTS News that his organization and the Government Negotiation Team (GNT) concluded matters proposed on financial and non-financial benefits for police officers, although the union has not actually signed up to it.

“We have actually concluded all,” he stated. “We think we are in a great position as it pertains to our position on the increase in risk allowance; increase in the detective, plain-clothes allowances, and also articles of non-financial, where we presented the position of the welfare association, where we believe the government can meet police officers half way as we perform our duties.”

However, the matter concerning salary increase is yet to be resolved.

Chicot

“As it pertains to salaries, you know we discussed salaries after we concluded the benefits and what would have to happen is that all other unions would have to complete the benefits as well,” he explained. “We are very interested in discussing the salary increase because there will be a number of proposals. We have already articulated our position as it pertains to salary increase.”

Chicot said the PWA is looking at every option and is looking “for something that will enhance the life or the pocket of our police officers”.

On the matter of financial and non-financial benefits agreement, he said the PWA is expected to meet with the GNT on March 28 to discuss the GNT’s and the government’s position on it.

He stated that the PWA will discuss the agreement with its general membership some time next week.

“I am happy today that the police have concluded, we have done our entire collective agreement, we’ve not signed but we await the GNT to come back with a position so that they can clearly state the position of the employer whether on financial or non-financial benefits,” he said.

(1)(3)

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Saint Lucia corrections officer formally charged for smuggling contraband into BCF

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Rodney St. Rose

(SNO) — Saint Lucia police have formally charged a veteran corrections officer for smuggling contraband into his work place, the Bordelais Correctional Facility (BCF).

Rodney St. Rose of Morne Cayenne, Vieux Fort was charged on Thursday with possession of a controlled drug and introducing a controlled substance into the prison, police told St. Lucia News Online on Tuesday.

St. Rose, who has over a decade of experience as a corrections officer, was granted bail in the sum of $7,000 cash or with land documents or suitable surety, police said.

He is scheduled to return to court again, police said, but could not immediately provide the officer’s next court date.

According to reports, the corrections officer was arrested on March 11 for being in possession of parcels of marijuana and hashish, cell phone sim cards, razors, lighters, cigarettes, and other contraband, into the prison. The items were reportedly concealed in a box of orange juice.

In response to the arrest, Deputy Director of the Bordelais Correctional Facility (BCF) Leonard Terrance had said criminal activities at the prison will not be tolerated.

Speaking to HTS, Terrance, who is also the officer in charge, said: “I don’t know of any organisation that allows for any illicit activities to take place … and ours is no different.”

Reports are that St. Rose was arrested for a similar incident a few years ago but the matter was dismissed due to technicality.

(22)(3)

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Bexon woman claims rosary saved her life

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Martha Fumer

(SNO) — A woman from Bexon is giving credit to her rosary for protecting her from a bullet and saving her life, MBC Prime has reported.

The television networks reported that Martha Fumer, 59, was sitting on her porch on March 16 praying when a shooting took place nearby.

She was injured in the incident.

Speaking in Creole she explained during that she heard loud explosions and felt something like blood on her neck. Upon examination, she said she realized her hands were red with blood.

Fumer was taken to hospital by a private vehicle and underwent surgery the next day.

She now believes the beads of the rosary saved her from her close encounter with death.

“I never miss my rosary on me,” she said in Creole. “I am always here praying with my rosary in my hands. I can say, it’s the rosary that saved me.”

Fumer is expected to undergo another surgery for her injuries.

One man has been arrested following the shooting incident.

(22)(0)

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Police charge journalist Rehani Isidore for Vigie Airport bomb hoax, attempted suicide

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Rehani Isidore

(SNO) — The police have charged journalist Rehani Isidore in relation to a bomb hoax at the Vigie Airport on February 20.

He was arrested and charged on March 20, 2019 on two counts of bomb hoaxes and attempted suicide in relation to the hoaxes.

Isidore was escorted to the First District Court where he was granted bail in the sum of $2,500 each on the two bomb hoaxes in cash or suitable surety and on his own recognizance for the charge of attempted suicide.

On Wednesday, February 20, 2019, at about 6 a.m, law enforcement officials responded to a report of a bomb threat at the George F. L. Charles Airport in Vigie.

On March 5, the police issued a statement saying that “on February 28, 2019 one individual was taken into police custody” in relation to a bomb threat to George Charles Airport at Vigie.

“On the same evening, the suspect was transported to Victoria Hospital having ingested a substance,” the statement continued.

It went on to say that “the suspect is in a critical condition at a medical facility and has not been charged”.

The statement was deemed confusing by many and by the time of its release, rumors were swirling everywhere that the suspect was in fact Isidore.

To add fire to the confusion the Media Association of Saint Lucia (MASL) released a video statement saying that Isidore “continues to fight for his life” in hospital without giving a reason for his hospitalization.

“We understand that rumour and speculation has and will exist but while we await official word from the relevant authorities, MASL makes no further statement on the matter,” MASL president, Miguel Fevrier said in the video.

In relation to the arrest and charging of Isidore, the police quoted Section 362 (2) of the Criminal Code which states as follows:

Bombs, hoaxes, sending messages or articles to alarm or injure other persons

(2) A person who communicates any information which he or she knows or believes to be false to another person with the intention of inducing in him or her or any other person a false belief that a bomb or other thing likely to explode or ignite is planted in any place or location is liable on conviction on indictment to imprisonment for 5 years or on summary conviction to imprisonment for 2 years.

Section 94 of the Criminal Code states;

Aiding and abetting of suicide, attempt to commit suicide

A person who—

(a) aids and abets the commission of suicide by any person, whether or not the suicide is actually committed is liable on indictment to imprisonment for 20 years;

(b) attempts to commit suicide is liable on conviction on indictment to imprisonment for 2 years

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The post Police charge journalist Rehani Isidore for Vigie Airport bomb hoax, attempted suicide appeared first on St. Lucia News Online.

“Red Ants” sentenced to six months in prison for snatching tourist’s cell phone in Castries

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Josiah Antoine aka “Red Ants” (left) being brought to court. * HTS video still imagery

(PRESS RELEASE) – A young man who attempted to rob a non-national of her cell phone has been sentenced to six months in prison.

The young man, identified as Josiah Antoine aka “Red Ants”, was accused of grabbing a mobile telephone from the visitor last week Tuesday.

The incident occurred in the William Peter Boulevard.

He was pursued by brave citizens and eventually arrested and brought before the courts by City Police.

Antoine was remanded until April 10, 2019 when he was brought before the D-Court in Gros Islet.

In addition to the six-month jail term, Antoine was also fined EC$500 for possession of a dangerous weapon.

Mayor of Castries, His Worship Peterson D. Francis, has showered praise on the City Police in the aftermath of the phone-snatching incident.

The mayor said the City Police played a big role in getting the perpetrator convicted.

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The post “Red Ants” sentenced to six months in prison for snatching tourist’s cell phone in Castries appeared first on St. Lucia News Online.

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