ROSEAU, Dominica, CMC – Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit on Tuesday said that a special prosecutor would be appointed to deal with the murders of Canadian-born hoteliers Daniel Langlois and Dominique Marchand, as he urged the public to avoid “wild speculations” regarding their deaths.
Two American nationals have been remanded into custody until March 24 next year, after they appeared in a magistrate’s court on December 6 in connection with the murders of the two hoteliers, whose charred remains were found in a burnt-out vehicle on December 1, 2023.
American businessman Jonathan Lehrer, 57, and his co-accused Robert (Rob) Thomas Snider Jr “have been charged with two counts of murder.
The prosecution alleges that between November 29 and December 2, 2023, the two Americans murdered Langlois and his partner Marchard, whose killings shocked the southwest community of Soufriere, where the two Canadian nationals owned and operated the Colibri Ridge Resort.
The Americans were not required to enter a plea since murder is an indictable offense and can only be tried before a judge and jury at the High Court.
Skerrit told a news conference that he wanted to “commend the Dominica police for their professional approach to the investigations thus far,” adding,” I have every confidence in the justice system to administer this matter fairly and above board.
“I have seen no evidence so far to the contrary, and I believe all involved have acted within the confines of the law and with the highest degree of integrity. I urge us all to be level-headed in our discussions of this matter.
: Let us avoid wild speculation and the spreading of false information, which can do more harm than good,” Skerrit told reporters, adding, “I have also directed that a special prosecutor be brought in to help prosecute this case to ensure a greater possibility of success in the prosecution.”
Earlier, Skerrit said he was “shocked and sad” at the killings of the two hoteliers, whom he described as “true friends of Dominica, who contributed much to our country’s development, particularly in the Soufriere, Scottshead area.
“Through their efforts, many were provided with jobs, and their example of sustainable development inspired us all in our pursuit of energy independence and a climate resilience agenda.”
Skerrit said he was thankful that the government had been able to honor Langlois with a national award during last month’s independence celebrations, adding that “their generosity to Dominica and its people knew no bounds.”
and then 