The neighbor of Daniel Langlois and his accomplice, accused of the murder of the Quebec entrepreneur and his partner Dominique Marchand, were imprisoned pending their trial which will be held next spring.
• Read also: Two people accused of the murder of Daniel Langlois and his partner
• Read also: Murders of Daniel Langlois and his partner: a dispute with many excesses with one of the suspects
• Read also: Couple of entrepreneurs killed in the Caribbean: “Jonathan is not a murderer,” says his father
“Assassin Jonathan, you are an assassin, you must perish. Jonathan, you left my children and me without work, you must languish in prison.
“We want justice to be done to Daniel and Dominique. Jonathan, you are bad, you are mean and you are going to pay.
These are just some of the sentiments shouted outside the courthouse as, under heavy police surveillance, American Jonathan Lehrer, owner of the Bois Cotlette chocolate factory, and his accomplice Robert (Rob) Thomas Snider Jr were taken to the Dominica State Prison to await their trial which will take place on March 24.
“Imperturbable”
The two men appeared for less than ten minutes on Wednesday before Chief Magistrate Candia Carette George.
The latter read them the charges according to which they had murdered Daniel Langlois and his partner Dominique Marchand between November 29 and December 2.
They were not given the opportunity to plead guilty or not to the charge, since “murder” is a criminal act that can only be tried before a judge and jury in the High Court of this Lesser Island state. Antilles located between Martinique and Guadeloupe.
Wearing shorts and showing burns on his right leg and arm, Jonathan Lehrer appeared “imperturbable” as the crowd gathered outside the courthouse made several comments at him. He wore a smile as he got out of the police van.
Entrepreneur Daniel Langlois and his wife, who managed the Coulibri hotel, were ambushed by a hitman, who killed them before setting fire to their car, according to Dominica police.
Their charred vehicle was found last Friday by the police in Gallion. The relatives of the two victims were not informed until the next day. Four people were quickly detained in this case, including Jonathan Lehrer, his accomplice Robert (Rob) Thomas Snider Jr, but also Mr. Lehrer’s wife, Victoria, as well as another whose identity is not known.
The latter, a local, was released Wednesday morning while Victoria Lehrer regained freedom Tuesday evening, said the prosecutor responsible for the case. Both could be interviewed again, depending on the needs of the investigation.
A sign announcing the Bois Cutlette area, on the path leading there.
CLYDE JNO BAPTISTE/QMI AGENCY
A tribute ceremony
The crime left local residents in shock because the couple were considered “community icons.” Many of them also worked for the Deux Québécois hotel complex.
A vigil will also be organized in their honor late Thursday afternoon, with a minute of silence planned for sunset.
Members of the community will be present in their kayaks for a candle ceremony and flowers will be placed in the water.
MM. Langlois and Lehrer were in conflict over the use of the Morne Rouge public road, which passes through the chocolatier’s estate.
The battle was brought before the island’s highest court, which ruled in 2019 that the road was public and that Mr. Langlois’ guests could use it freely.