Caribbean News Now
by Global News Staff
CASTRIES, St Lucia — While a debate is going on whether or not the death penalty should continue in the Caribbean, a high court judge in St Lucia has sentenced a man to be hanged for shooting to death a police officer while he was on duty.
Justice Kenneth Benjamin at Castries High Court ordered Michel “Bage” Joseph to be hanged for the shooting death of a police officer. The death sentenced was imposed in the presence of scores of spectators, including several police officers who were in court to hear the death sentence.
Constable Lester Garvin Remy was shot four times while he and other colleagues were executing a search warrant on a home in Ciceron in South Castries.
CMC reported that the incident sent shock waves through the St Lucia Police Force and the rest of society, as it was the first time a police officer was killed in St Lucia in the line of duty.
The sentence marked the culmination of several weeks of pre-sentencing hearings after Joseph’s December 6, 2010, conviction.
Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Victoria Charles-Clarke and defence attorney Al Elliot were at odds on the sentence imposed.
The DPP said that she was satisfied that justice was served, adding that a strong message needed to be sent to criminal elements in society concerning the value of life.
The defence attorney was unhappy, stating that there were some legal issues that were not addressed and he plans to appeal.
During the hearing it was revealed that Joseph shot Remy at point black range and had six previous convictions.
