A controversial decision from the High Court has opened the possibility of bail for U.S. citizen Jonathan Lehrer, accused of the 2023 double murder of Canadian philanthropist Daniel Langlois and his partner, Dominique Marchand. Justice Colin Williams approved bail set at EC$1 million, with strict conditions, including revoking Lehrer’s U.S. citizenship.
Langlois and Marchand were found incinerated in a car near Galion in December 2023 after being reported missing for several days. The couple, who owned Coulibri Ridge, a local eco-resort, were embroiled in a legal dispute with Lehrer over access to a road leading to their property. The court had previously ruled in Langlois’s favor, granting him unrestricted access, a decision believed to have escalated tensions.
Lehrer, jointly charged with accomplice Robert Snyder Jr., had initially been denied bail earlier this year, despite citing medical concerns. However, the recent High Court ruling requires him to comply with 15 conditions, including reporting regularly to the Grand Bay Police Station and obtaining judicial approval for any travel.
The prosecution strongly opposed the bail application, citing Lehrer as a flight risk and emphasizing the gravity of the charges. Community members, particularly from Soufriere, have expressed outrage over the decision. Activist Corally Bellot Norde voiced her anguish, stating, “Jonathan should never be granted bail… this is painful for us in Soufriere.”
The trial is set to commence on December 10, 2024, with the community closely watching for justice in a case that has drawn widespread attention both locally and internationally.
This article is copyright © 2024 DOM767
