Minister for National Security Rayburn Blackmore has praised the work of the police, investigators and prosecutors following the conviction of Jonathan Scott Lehrer and Robert Thomas Snider for the murders of Canadian businessman Daniel Langlois and his partner, Dominique Marchand, describing the outcome as proof that Dominica’s justice system works.
Speaking after the verdict, Blackmore commended Police Chief Lincoln Corbette for personally directing the initial stages of the investigation at the crime scene and praised Deputy Commissioner of Police Jeffrey James, who served as lead investigator, along with the Criminal Investigation Department and the wider police force.
“I want to place on the record my commendation for the police,” Blackmore said. He described the investigation as demonstrating “the level of excellence within the police force, and the caliber of talent that the police force has.”
The minister also recognized the work of the prosecution team, including Director of Public Prosecutions Sherma Dalrymple, lead prosecutor Keith Scotland, the other attorneys involved in the case and the witnesses who testified during the trial.
Blackmore said the government’s role was to ensure that the investigators and prosecutors had the resources needed to pursue the matter effectively.
“The role of the ministry and that of the government was to provide the requisite resources to ensure that that matter was properly prosecuted,” he said, adding that the case should serve as a warning to anyone contemplating criminal activity.
“I believe that the way we have to look at it is from the perspective of lessons learned from that experience and those who intend to do wrong, to have within their psyche you may be caught or you will be caught, and that the rule of law and the justice system in Dominica works,” the minister stated.
Lehrer and Snider were found guilty of the murders of Langlois and Marchand, whose charred remains were discovered inside a burned-out vehicle in the Soufrière area on December 1, 2023.
The high-profile case attracted international attention because of the prominence of the victims, who owned an eco-resort in Dominica.
Before the trial, Chief Magistrate Candia Carette-George ruled that there was sufficient evidence to commit both men to stand trial in the High Court, dismissing a no-case submission by the defence. The prosecution had argued that the evidence established a prima facie case linking the accused to the killings.
Investigators relied heavily on circumstantial evidence after Langlois and Marchand were reported missing before their remains were identified. Both accused had remained in custody since being charged in connection with the murders.
Lehrer, an American national, also faces separate charges relating to the alleged trafficking and unlawful importation of firearms arising from a separate incident that occurred days after the killings.
