Searchlight Logo
special_image

    • News
      • Front Page
      • News
      • Breaking News
      • Press Release
      • Features
      • Special Features
      • From the Courts
      • Sports
      • Regional / World
    • Opinions
      • Editorial
      • Our Readers’ Opinions
      • Bassy – Love Vine
      • Dr. Fraser- Point of View
      • R. Rose – Eye of the Needle
      • On Target
      • Dr Jozelle Miller
      • The World Around Us
      • Random Thoughts
    • Advice
      • Kitchen Corner
      • What’s on Fleek this week
      • Health Wise
      • Physician’s Weekly
      • Business Buzz
      • Hey Rosie!
      • Prime the pump
    • ePaper
    • Obituaries
      • In Memoriam / Acknowledgement
      • Tribute
    • Contact Us
      • Advertise With Us
      • Letters To The Editor
      • General Contact Information
      • Contact our Webmaster
    • About Us
      • Privacy Policy
      • Interactive Media Ltd
      • St. Vincent & the Grenadines
    • Subscribe
    • News
      • Front Page
      • News
      • Breaking News
      • Press Release
      • Features
      • Special Features
      • From the Courts
      • Sports
      • Regional / World
    • Opinions
      • Editorial
      • Our Readers’ Opinions
      • Bassy – Love Vine
      • Dr. Fraser- Point of View
      • R. Rose – Eye of the Needle
      • On Target
      • Dr Jozelle Miller
      • The World Around Us
      • Random Thoughts
    • Advice
      • Kitchen Corner
      • What’s on Fleek this week
      • Health Wise
      • Physician’s Weekly
      • Business Buzz
      • Hey Rosie!
      • Prime the pump
    • ePaper
    • Obituaries
      • In Memoriam / Acknowledgement
      • Tribute
    • Contact Us
      • Advertise With Us
      • Letters To The Editor
      • General Contact Information
      • Contact our Webmaster
    • About Us
      • Privacy Policy
      • Interactive Media Ltd
      • St. Vincent & the Grenadines
    • Subscribe
From the Courts
August 20, 2004

Justice denied!

No one will be prosecuted for the February 11, 2002 murder of three French nationals and a Belgian.
After more than two years of investigations, and after one year of requests by this country for evidence from the French investigating authorities in Martinique, no one is presently charged for the crime. {{more}}
Five months after the four foreigners were murdered and their yacht burnt, four Vincentians were arrested and charged. But, after two years on remand awaiting preliminary inquiries before the magistrates court, they were discharged by Chief Magistrate Simone Churaman.
On June 30, 2004, Julius Jeffers, 17, Sylvannus Williams, 19, Ken Charles, 24, and Leonard OíGarro, 36, of Barrouallie were released from the charge of murdering French nationals Pierre De La Londe, 20, Annie Astier, 19, Jean Noel Martin, 51, and Belgian Simonne Rolus, 59. The Chief Magistrate had said then that if the prosecutor got the evidence they were awaiting the discharged men could be re-arrested and charged for the crime.
On June 30,head of the Criminal Investigations Department, Superintendent Ernest James told the court his department was still awaiting evidence from the French authorities which was vital to the prosecution’s case. He asked Chief Magistrate Simone Churaman for a one and a half month adjournment, telling the court that the office of the Attorney General had informed his department that the evidence requested would be available by the middle of August.
Now, more than one and a half months later, there is no report or indication that the evidence requested has been received by local authorities. When contacted on Tuesday the Attorney General’s office could not confirm whether the French authorities had responded to the latest request, or whether the evidence would be forthcoming. Also, Director of Public Prosecutions, Colin Williams said he had no knowledge whether the French had complied, or intended to comply with the request.
When contacted on Wednesday, chief detective Ernest James said he did not know whether the French authorities had decided to comply with the request. He, however, said he was expected to meet with an official from the Attorney General’s office to get an update on the matter.
Meanwhile, reports say DNA testing has long been concluded to determine the identities of the four murdered foreigners, but prosecutors are facing difficulty in getting their family members and the doctor to come here to testify. Also, the view has been expressed that the difficulty encountered in getting vital evidence from the French authorities is based on the difference in the systems of justice.

  • FacebookComments
  • ALSO IN THE NEWS
    Carlos James, reaffirms his commitment to North Leeward at Rose Hall meeting
    News
    Carlos James, reaffirms his commitment to North Leeward at Rose Hall meeting
    Webmaster 
    November 6, 2025
    Carlos James, the Unity Labour Party’s North Leeward candidate to contest the November 27, 2025 general elections, told supporters on Tuesday night th...
    34th homicide recorded in SVG for 2025
    Breaking News, News
    34th homicide recorded in SVG for 2025
    Webmaster 
    November 5, 2025
    Shem Walker, a 25 year old Stubbs man was shot and killed in Akers today sometime around 3 p.m. Reports are that Walker was in a white Toyota Vitz, PA...
    ULP, NDP sign Code of Conduct for 2025 General Elections
    News
    ULP, NDP sign Code of Conduct for 2025 General Elections
    Jada 
    November 4, 2025
    Director of the Institute of Governance and Politics of Latin America and the Caribbean Augustine Ferdinand and Chairman of the New Democratic Party D...
    Walters receives lively send off
    Front Page
    Walters receives lively send off
    Webmaster 
    November 4, 2025
    Former parliamentarian and government minister, Selmon Walters was laid to rest on Saturday, November 1, 2025 after a lively home-going service at the...
    Dr Gonsalves calls for vigilance from ‘Labour Warriors’
    Front Page
    Dr Gonsalves calls for vigilance from ‘Labour Warriors’
    Webmaster 
    November 4, 2025
    Leader of the governing Unity Labour Party (ULP), Dr. Ralph Gonsalves has called on supporters of the party to be vigilant in this heightened campaign...
    Front Page
    Dr Friday spells out promises once NDP elected
    Webmaster 
    November 4, 2025
    Two VAT-free (Value Added Tax) shopping days; a one-time 50 percent concession on vehicle duties for public servants with 10 or more years of service;...
    News
    Carlos James, reaffirms his commitment to North Leeward at Rose Hall meeting
    News
    Carlos James, reaffirms his commitment to North Leeward at Rose Hall meeting
    Webmaster 
    November 6, 2025
    Carlos James, the Unity Labour Party’s North Leeward candidate to contest the November 27, 2025 general elections, told supporters on Tuesday night th...
    34th homicide recorded in SVG for 2025
    Breaking News, News
    34th homicide recorded in SVG for 2025
    Webmaster 
    November 5, 2025
    Shem Walker, a 25 year old Stubbs man was shot and killed in Akers today sometime around 3 p.m. Reports are that Walker was in a white Toyota Vitz, PA...
    ULP, NDP sign Code of Conduct for 2025 General Elections
    News
    ULP, NDP sign Code of Conduct for 2025 General Elections
    Jada 
    November 4, 2025
    Director of the Institute of Governance and Politics of Latin America and the Caribbean Augustine Ferdinand and Chairman of the New Democratic Party D...
    Teen who stole from Massy while wearing stolen Corea’s shirt on remand
    From the Courts, News
    Teen who stole from Massy while wearing stolen Corea’s shirt on remand
    Webmaster 
    November 4, 2025
    A teenager, who stole a Corea’s shirt from someone’s clothes line, and wore it in Massy Stores where he allegedly stole more than $100 worth of items ...
    Man remanded for  beating his baby’s mother
    From the Courts, News
    Man remanded for beating his baby’s mother
    Webmaster 
    November 4, 2025
    A young man who beat his baby’s mother in her face with a stick, and struck her brother while he was defending her, was remanded pending sentencing. J...

    E-EDITION
    ePaper
    google_play
    app_store
    Subscribe Now
    • Interactive Media Ltd. • P.O. Box 152 • Kingstown • St. Vincent and the Grenadines • Phone: 784-456-1558 © Copyright Interactive Media Ltd.. All rights reserved.
    We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.Ok