Gibson-Marks

Former Registrar of the High Court in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Vanessa Tamara Gibson-Marks, has pleaded guilty to stealing EC$21,925 and the abuse of authority in office and will be sentenced this Friday.

Gibson-Marks, originally from St. Lucia, had pleaded not guilty to all charges and was granted bail with one surety last month about three months after Attorney General Judith Jones-Morgan asked her to resign.

IWitness News reports that Director of Public Prosecution Colin Williams discontinued the other charge — that “on May 7th, 2014 in Kingstown St. Vincent and the Grenadines being a person employed in the public service who being authorized to give a certificate touching any matter by virtue whereof the rights of any person may be prejudicially affected did give a certificate which was to your knowledge false in a material particular to wit an order claim 96/1980”.

Victor Jn Phillip

The body of a man was discovered on a farm in Fond St. Jacques, Soufriere this morning with a single gunshot wound to the head.

The body of Victor Jn Phillip, 65, a farmer from the area, was discovered at about 5:00 a.m.

The victim’s son, Keran Jn Phillip told St. Lucia News Online (SNO) that his father would usually return home around 4:30 p.m. everyday from his farm.

However, after realising that Jn Phillip did not return, Keran’s mother called him and his brothers to alert them and asked that they go and check on their father.

The brothers formed groups with the help of neighbours in the community and journeyed up the forest, to the farm, which is located about one hour away from Jn Phillips’ home.

After two hours into the search, there were still no signs of him. Keran said they decided to end the search after it was getting dark. The police was then contacted. They promised to conduct another search.

“When they got there this morning, they found him lying down between a tree with his cutlass on his belly and his head open, with a gunshot to his head,” Keran told SNO.

The distraught man said his brother had heard a gunshot in the area around the same time their father went missing. Keran said his brother did not bother to check on his father then because they would usually hear gunshots in the area.

“Guys around Choiseul and Saltibus would cross over the river searching for weed because several times my father would say some guys walking around the area,” he told SNO.

Keran said his father would usually tell him that two or three men would be roaming the area and could have possibly planted marijuana, but he never interfered with them or confronted them.

He believes that his father may have seen something that he probably shouldn’t have and the men decided to kill him. The family is hoping that someone could come forward and say something.

Keran described his father as a jovial person and a hardworking individual. Both Jn Phillip and his son spent the entire Sunday travelling in the city.

Jn Phillip leaves to mourn five sons and two daughters.

Gilius Springer

A Grand Riviere, Gros Islet man has been missing since Monday, Oct. 6, 2014.

A relative told St. Lucia News Online (SNO) that 27-year-old Gilius Springer, also known as Jerry The Pest, left home between 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. on Monday, a public holiday, and has not been seen or heard from since.

Springer’s aunt, who prefers to use the name “Miss Pamphile”, told SNO this morning that Springer was drinking a lot of alcohol over the weekend. She said he started drinking Saturday night, slept home Sunday night and left home Monday afternoon without saying anything. She said he appeared intoxicated when he left.

Pamphile said Springer did not even eat the lunch she left for him on the weekend or on Monday.

She said contact has been made with everyone who knows Springer, but so far, no luck. She said this is the first time he has been missing from home so long.

“There is a time he doesn’t drink but if he goes out and rink, even if it’s 3 or 4 a clock in the morning he will find his way home,” she said.

“I don’t know what went wrong but I understood he was with some people and these people, they should know about him,” she added.

Pamphile said Springer, her adopted son, used to work in the family’s bakery in Grand Riviere.

Vernon Francois.

The discovery of two bodies, in Fond St Jacque, Soufriere, on Tuesday, has caused the entire community to become fearful.

Members of the community have suggested that the homicides were drug related.

Police Commissioner Vernon Francois has also hinted that this may be true, especially since the area is known to have had marijuana farms that were destroyed by police.

However, this scenario is still to be confirmed.

“As we speak we have a contingent of police officers both from Castries and South in the area, conducting further searches and investigations,” Francois told the media at a press conference today.

Asked to comment on the protection of residents in the area, Francois said the police will do all it can to guarantee the safety of residents.

However, he encouraged residents to report any threats and come forward with any information that may lead the police to the criminals, who might be responsible for the killings.

The police chief suggested that persons, who may not want to report it directly to a police station, they can provide whatever information they have to a police they feel comfortable with.

“The fact of the matter is that in some of the cases where people still refuse to come forward and make reports to provide that information, the criminals may very well think that they could hide the information and that may present a threat to their lives also,” he stated.

Persons in the community are now trying to acquire firearm licenses, to protect their own safety and have suggested that the police make this process easier.

In addressing this issue, Francois said, “License firearm is provided on the basis of merit. If someone feels their life is under serious threat, they can make an application and it will be considered. But I am not going to make a pronouncement to give out firearm licenses.”

Meanwhile, the police chief said the force has not been able to determine whether there is any relation between the two bodies found in Fond St Jacque, Soufriere.

He told media operatives that based on the state of the decomposition of the second body, death could have occurred a few days earlier.

“But we are actively pursuing the matter. We have not yet been able to identify the second body. We are working with members of the community to get some identification,” he added.

The body of an unidentified male was discovered by police in the area yesterday. The body bore one gunshot wound to the abdomen.

That body was only discovered after police had searched the area earlier for a missing farmer, Victor Jn Phillip, who they later discovered with a gunshot wound to his head.

Linus Constantine

The decomposed body found on Marisule beach, Gros Islet on April 15, 2014 is confirmed to be that of 18-year-old youth leader Linus Constantine who was reported missing around that time.

This was disclosed at a press conference at Chesterfield, Police Headquarters in Castries this morning.

Police Commissioner Vernon Francois told reporters that a post mortem on Constantine’s body by Pathologist Dr. Stephen King revealed that he died of extensive head injuries secondary to blunt force trauma.

Initially, the investigative team spoke with a forensic official, Dr. Stephen Simpson, who was summoned to reconstruct the dental structure of the deceased. It was revealed that five teeth were missing.

A thorough search was conducted at the crime scene and the five missing teeth were recovered.

On Tuesday, May 8, the right and left thumb print records of Constantine were retrieved from the Electoral Department and taken to the Criminal Records Office.

The right and left thumb prints of the decomposed body found on Marisule beach was also taken to the office for analysis and comparison. It was later revealed that the two sets of finger prints matched.

In providing further details of the investigation, Francois said on June 2 certain articles were recovered from the residence of Constantine and taken to the forensic lab for DNA analysis. Further, on September 10, the lab suggested the possibility of pulp in the deceased which might have been useful for DNA testing. Lab personnel then commenced the procedure of extracting two molars and one incisor from the deceased and then cutting through the teeth to expose the apparent pulp.

After the procedure was completed, the teeth extracts were submitted to the lab for DNA testing.

Francois said on September 5, assistance was sought from retired Inspector of Police Stephen Chicot, who was provided with the fingerprint impressions. He examined and compared the fingerprints and noticed that it was a perfect match.

The police chief said assistance was also sought from the Royal Grenada Police Force, where an expert compared the fingerprints and informed local police that the fingerprints matched.

Once this was completed, the body was returned on Oct. 8 to Dr. King who was satisfied with the results. The pathologist then amended the post mortem documents to include Constantine’s name.

The relatives of Constantine were informed of the results this morning and the body handed over.

Police have since interviewed one suspect who was later released. The police chief said the matter will be aggressively pursued now that the identity of the decomposed body matches that of Constantine.

He explained that the investigations and DNA analysis may have taken a long period, but the aim was to ensure that a proper investigation was carried out.

Constantine, who was the chairman of Youth Talk, was officially reported missing on April 27 – almost 12 days after the body in Marisule was discovered.

A man, known so far as Danny, was stabbed in Marisule, Gros Islet at around 5:30 p.m. yesterday, Thursday, Oct. 9.

He was hospitalised. His condition is unknown at this time.

No further details are available at this time.

The island has recorded another homicide.

Barthelmy Cox, also known as Diego or BB Boy, 36, was fatally shot at his residence in Ciceron, Castries. Police received the call at about 11:50 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 9.

It is alleged that Cox intervened in an altercation between his 19-year-old daughter and her boyfriend, when he was shot in the stomach and killed.

It is further alleged that the deceased, along with relatives and friends, had warned his daughter about the relationship with the suspect.

“The boyfriend was abusive and he (Cox) came to his daughter’s defense. There was a fight and the boyfriend shot him,” a Ciceron resident told St. Lucia News Online (SNO).

Persons close to the deceased described Cox as a peacemaker.

His aunt Muriel Fortune told SNO: “He is not a troublemaker. People tend to tell you that their people were good, but that one I could tell you was a very good boy.”

Fortune said she heard the gunshots and thought it was someone in the area, but was given the bad news a few minutes after that her nephew was shot and killed.

“My nephew told me that that boy came and threatened him already. He came there and arguing with his woman and told my nephew that the next time he come back he was going to kill him. So was said, so done,” the distraught woman explained.

According to neighbours, the daughter’s boyfriend had left the premises after Cox asked him to leave. However, he returned a few minutes later with another male and started firing shots from the entrance of the passageway leading to Cox’s home.

After hearing the gunshots, Cox and his daughter became alert. Several shots were fired at Cox who confronted the men. Cox attempted to run, but was shot in the chest region. His daughter managed to escape because she too was afraid that she might have been shot.

“Someone like Diego who always preaching to the youths that badness out of style and better they go and look for work, even if it is STEP programme. *** going all at the person home and kill him because he not welcomed there,” a person familiar with the deceased posted on Facebook.

“Knowing Diego everyone was welcomed at his home. Do you know how many of us stayed out of trouble just by going and sit and reason with him by his place? There is nothing you will ask Diego that he has and he will not give it to you. Since everyone knows is *** that killed him I hope the police have no problem arresting and charging him for murder…”

The suspect and his accomplice are currently on the run.

Linus Constantine.

Mother of slain youth leader Linus Constantine has said she is relieved that the Royal St. Lucia Police Force (RSLPF) has finally identified the decomposed body found on the Marisule beach on April 15 to be that of her son.

“We are relieved to know that that part is over and we could finally have some closure to the matter and put this phase behind us and at least try to move on,” Juliana Goolaman told St. Lucia News Online (SNO).

The mother however firmly believes that her family will not get the justice they deserve in the matter.

“That part of it I am not really concerned. With the law in St. Lucia, most of the time the criminals get away so they can do what they have to, but in St. Lucia there is no justice, that’s just the way I see it,” she told SNO.

After a series of forensic tests, the body of Linus Constantine was confirmed and handed over to his family on Thursday, October 9.

An autopsy report revealed that the former chairman of Youth Talk died of extensive head injuries secondary to blunt force trauma.

Arrangements for his burial are being finalised.

The body found in Marisule, Gros Islet on April 15, 2014 was positively identified this week as Linus Constantine.

STATEMENT - On the announcement of the disturbing news on the confirmation of the death of Linus Constantine the National Youth Council has been plunged into deep grief, knowing that we have suffered such a great loss.

It is beyond heartbreaking to know that a young man who has so passionately through youth parliament, debated on the motion of impacts of crime would so one day be the victim and be taken away from us.

Linus was extraordinary exemplified. Passionate, determined, proactive, vibrant and eloquent. He was an active member of the National Youth Council, was very strategic in his leadership of his alma mater’s student council body, Leon Hess Comprehensive and also involved in the South Castries Youth and Sports Council. His passion transcended through his constant advocacy on various talk shows both television and radio, in his personal interactions and through his presentations during youth parliament.

The NYC condemns any form of violence especially violence against youth and young on youth violence.

NYC therefore implores young people to seek conflict resolution methods before resorting to violence whether verbal or physical. Young people are also encouraged to become peer meditators and be their brother’s keeper at their schools and in their social environments. We further encourage parents, teachers and guardians to pay attention to the emotional, mental and psychological health of children and young people and to combat signs of aggression and violence from as early as possible.

There is further need for societal and national inclusion, and we should continue to uphold the principle that ‘it takes a community to raise a child.’ Amidst the many cultural and media influences that glorify individualism, it is imperative that we remain mindful of the values that will ever keep us grounded as human beings; that of respect, love and trust.

Linus’s passion will be continuously driven and upheld through NYC, his life will be celebrated and his determination towards his work applauded.

NYC extends sincerest condolences to the family and close friends of Linus. He will forever be missed.

Police are investigating a stabbing incident in Sarrot.

Reports are that at about 1:30 p.m. today, a man attacked and stabbed two relatives – his nephew and a cousin.

A person who passed the scene told St. Lucia News Online (SNO) that one of the victims was covered with blood and police was on the scene, preventing anyone from stopping.

SNO will provide more information when it becomes available.

The Royal St. Lucia Police Force (RSLPPF) is trying its best to curb the smuggling of illegal weapons into the island, but Police Commissioner Vernon Francois said police officials find illegal weapons “actually every day” when they carry out searches and conduct investigations.

Francois made this disclosure at a press conference yesterday.

“The fact of the matter is we do not manufacture firearms in St. Lucia apart from the few homemade guns. They are actually coming to St. Lucia through our porous borders,” Francois admitted.

However, he said the police work constantly to tighten up borders to reduce smuggling.

“I won’t disclose the logistics of how it is done, but I want St. Lucians to rest assure that we are on top of the situation, in terms of preventing firearms from coming through our porous borders.”

Francois further revealed that there are a lot of “little bases around the island” that people can use to smuggle firearms and other illegal weapons here. However, he said police officials have been doing their best to secure these areas and prevent the illegal weapons from entering the island.

“One firearm is one firearm too many in this country,” he added.

The RSLPF leader said as law enforcement officials, it is their duty to keep chasing after the people responsible for smuggling these illegal weapons or those in possession of one.

“We are hoping to form a greater partnership with the judicial system as it relates to dealing with people who are in possession of firearms, because a firearm is a deadly weapon,” he said, while urging citizens to report anyone who might have an illegal weapon or knows of someone who might be engaged in the trade.

Police are investigating an attempted robbery outside Eden Feeds in Vieux Fort today, Saturday, Oct. 11.

Reports are that between 12 noon and 1:00 p.m., as the business was being closed for the day, a male and female – the owner’s children – were in a vehicle parked outside the business place when they noticed a masked man armed with a gun approaching the vehicle.

Police sources say the driver sped off after the gunman attempted to break the car glass with his firearm.

Shots were fired as the car drove off. No one was injured.

Police sources say the incident was witnessed by several customers.

A report was made at the Vieux Fort Police Station.

Eden Feeds is located near the Windward and Leeward Brewery Limited and Club Legacy.

A shooting incident in Ciceron on Sunday, October 12, left one man nursing injuries.

The victim has been identified as Dwayne Chandler of Ciceron.

Police Public Relations Officer Aniel Innocent told St. Lucia News Online (SNO) that the incident occurred at 2 a.m. near the Multipurpose Centre in Ciceron.

According to Innocent, Chandler is in a stable condition and is receiving treatment at a public hospital.

His injury is not life-threatening.

Barthelmy Cox.

No one has been arrested for the fatal shooting of Barthelmy Cox, also known as Diego or BB Boy, 36, of Ciceron, Castries.

Police Public Relations Officer Aniel Innocent said that the police are still searching for the shooter and his accomplice.

A post mortem examination will be conducted on Cox’s body today, to determine his cause of death.

Cox was fatally shot at his residence at about 11:50 p.m. on Thursday; Oct. 9.

It is alleged that Cox intervened in an altercation between his 19-year-old daughter and her boyfriend, when he was shot in the chest and killed.

It is further alleged that the deceased, along with relatives and friends, had warned his daughter about the relationship with the suspect.

His aunt Muriel Fortune had told SNO, that the shooter had threatened to kill Cox, but he never took it serious.

According to neighbours, the daughter’s boyfriend had left the premises after Cox asked him to leave. However, he returned a few minutes later with another male, and started firing shots from the entrance of the passageway leading to Cox’s home.

After hearing the gunshots, Cox and his daughter became alert. Several shots were then fired at Cox who confronted the men.

Cox attempted to run, but was shot in the chest region. His daughter managed to escape because she too was afraid that she might have been shot.

Persons close to the deceased described Cox as a peacemaker.

A male student of the George Charles Secondary School was arrested by police this morning, after he allegedly attacked another student with a knife, causing him to sustain a minor cut to his finger.

Reports are that police officials responded to a call from the school about the incident, at about 9:00a.m today. The stab victim was taken to a hospital for treatment. Both the victim and alleged attacker are  fourth form students.

Fifteen-year-old, Felicity Florton who is also a student of the George Charles Secondary, was stabbed multiple times in Pavee, Castries by 18-year-old Stephon Joseph of Pavee, Castries on Thursday, June 12.

Joseph was a former student of the same school. The two had had struck up a friendship at the time Joseph was attending the George Charles Secondary School.

In June this year, the police said during 2013 and mid 2014, they confiscated a number of weapons from students at various primary and secondary schools within the education districts 1 to 3.

The weapons included: 35 knives, 26 scissors, a 24-inch cutlass, eight metal eating forks and a piece of wood with a nail embedded in it and three four-inch penknives.

Other items found included a bottle of alcohol, several ounces of marijuana, a golf club, a live .380 bullet and a rope measuring 57 inches, which was intended to be used for committing suicide.

PRESS RELEASE - On Wednesday, October 8, 2014, at approximately 5 p.m. the body of an unknown male was found in the general area of River Doree, Fond St. Jacques.

Subsequently, police confirmed the body to be that of 31 year old, McDonald St. Rose. A postmortem examination on the body was conducted on Monday, October 13, 2014.  The cause of death has been stated as hemorrhagic shock, secondary to gunshot injury.

The body of St. Rose, who is reportedly from Gros Islet but resided in Vieux Fort, was discovered in the same general area as was homicide victim, Victor Jn. Phillip, whose body was also recovered on Wednesday, October 08, 2014.

Meanwhile, the post mortem examination results of Victor Jn. Phillip, of Fond St. Jacque, also carried out on Monday, October 13, 2014, indicates that he succumbed as a result of brain damage secondary to gunshot injury.

Investigations are continuing. Anyone with information regarding these investigations should contact the Criminal Investigations Department, (CID) at 456 3770 or 456 3758.

WANTED!

PRESS RELEASE - On Thursday, October 9, 2014, about 11:50 p.m. a report of a shooting at Ciceron was referred to the Criminal Investigations Department, of the Royal St. Lucia Police Force.

Police investigations into this incident revealed that 36 year old Barthelmy Cox, also known as “Diego”, a resident of Ciceron was shot in the chest region, by a known individual, during a confrontation at Cox’s house.

Cox was rushed to the Victoria Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.

The postmortem examination on the body indicates the cause of death to be hemorrhagic shock secondary to gunshot wound. The postmortem examination was conducted on Monday, October 13, 2014.

Also in relation to this matter, a warrant of arrest in the first instance for assault with a deadly weapon has been issued in the name Clint Mathurin of Arundel Hill, Castries. Mathurin is a key suspect in this investigation and is wanted by the police for questioning. The police are strongly advising members of the public not to approach this individual, who is assumed to be armed and dangerous.

Persons with information should immediately contact the Criminal Investigations Department at telephone numbers 456 3770 or 456 3758 or the nearest police station.

Police are  actively pursuing leads into the whereabouts of the known suspect. Meantime persons who may be harboring this individual are reminded that this action is a very serious offence.

A man succumbed to injuries sustained during a fall in his garden in Dennery yesterday afternoon.

He has been identified as Francis Alcide, 63, of Grand Riviere, Dennery.

Alcide was brought to  Dennery Hospital for treatment but later succumbed.

Police are investigating.

PRESS RELEASE - About 1:15pm on Tuesday, October 14, 2014, officers attached to the Criminal Investigations Department in Castries, received information, that the lifeless body of a male individual had been discovered on a farm at Labayee, Bexon.

The body was identified as 82 year old, Anthony Cenac. He was identified by his son Marcus Cenac.

The body was transported to the Victoria Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

A post mortem examination will be conducted at a later date. Police investigations are continuing.

POLICE PRESS RELEASE - On Wednesday, October 15, 2014, officers attached to the Criminal Investigations Department charged 33-year-old Jose “Mokocho” Gonzague of Monkey Town, Ciceron for the attempted murder of 23-year-old Dwaine Chandler of Ciceron.

Gonzague was remanded into police custody until Friday, October 17, 2014.

It is alleged that Gonzague fired shots in the direction of Chandler about 1:55 a.m. on Sunday, October 12, 2014. As a result, Chandler sustained a gunshot wound to the groin area and was transported to Victoria Hospital, where he was admitted.