Daniel Langlois’ neighbor and his accomplice, accused of murdering the Quebec entrepreneur and his partner Dominique Marchand, have been jailed pending their trial, which will take place next spring.
“Assassin Jonathan, you are an assassin, you must perish. Jonathan, you left my children and me unemployed, you must languish in prison.
“We want justice for Daniel and Dominique. Jonathan, you are bad, you are mean and you will pay for it.
These are just some of the sentiments echoed outside the courthouse as American Jonathan Lehrer, owner of the Bois Cotlette chocolate factory, and his accomplice Robert (Rob) Thomas Snider Jr. were taken to the Dominica State Penitentiary under close police surveillance to await their sentencing trial, which will take place on March 24.
“Unwavering”
The two men have already appeared before Chief Judge Candia Carette George, who read them the accusation that they murdered Daniel Langlois and his partner Dominique Marchand between November 29th and December 2nd.
They were not asked to plead guilty to the charge because “murder” is a felony that can only be tried before a Supreme Court judge and jury.
Wearing shorts and showing burns on his right leg and arm, Jonathan Lehrer appeared “unflappable” as the crowd gathered outside the courthouse made several comments about him.
According to Dominica police, entrepreneur Daniel Langlois and his wife, who ran the Hotel Coulibri, were ambushed by a hitman who killed them before setting their car on fire.
Her charred vehicle was found by police in Gallion last Friday. The relatives of the two victims were not informed until the next day.
The crime left local residents shocked and the couple were considered “icons of the community”. Many of them also worked for the Deux Québécois hotel complex.
MM. Langlois and teachers disputed the use of the public road Morne Rouge, which runs through the chocolatier’s property.
The dispute was heard by the island’s highest court, which ruled in 2019 that the road was public and Mr Langlois’ guests could use it freely.