It is a situation that has also shocked the nation and raises questions about what can happen to anyone who may decide to defend themselves. 24 year old Ricardo Stapleton was charged with murder yesterday in the death of 18 year old Jamal Ledger. Ledger was stabbed by Stapleton about two weeks ago in Conway. According to eyewitness accounts and that of Stapleton, Ledger and three other men attempted to rob him. The four were armed with guns however Stapleton boldly challenged the men, and ended up stabbing Jamal Ledger. When Ledger fell to the ground, his accomplices then opened fire on Stapleton and he ran from the scene. The 24 year old however reported himself to Police afterwards with his lawyer, Leslie Mondesir. Police charged Stapleton with murder on the advice of the Director of Public Prosecutions even though his statement and that of eyewitnesses indicate that he was the victim and not the aggressor. Lawyer Leslie Mondesir says the decision to charge his client with murder and not the lesser charge of manslaughter is definitely sending the wrong signal and further takes away power from citizens who are facing an increasing risk of attack daily. Mr.Mondesir says he now has to petition the High Court for bail because the Magistrate’s Court which they attended yesterday does not have the jurisdiction to grant bail in cases of murder. DDP Victoria Charles Clarke is yet to explain her decision to charge Stapleton with murder in what many attorneys are saying is a clear cut case of self defense.
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And hours after Ricardo Stapleton was charged with the murder of one of four masked and armed men who by all accounts tried to rob him, the family, friends and colleagues of Meandad Ratchy Raggie laid him to rest. The young Calypsonian’s funeral was held yesterday with everyone in attendance still unable to accept his death. Ratchy was shot in the head on January 23rd in Leslie Land. At the time he was talking with a few friends when he was approached by someone who just grabbed his silver chain from his neck and ran off. Ratchy made the fatal mistake of chasing the robber, his friends following. But as they got closer, the robber turned around, aimed a gun and fired at them. Ratchy’s friends immediately sought cover but he was not so lucky. A bullet hit him straight on in the head. He died instantly. Police are yet to charge anyone in connection with the case although reports were that they had a young man in custody. They say investigations are still ongoing.
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The opposition Saint Lucia Labour Party is weighing in on the threat to the Banana Industry. A statement from the Party’s Spokesman for matters of Agriculture, Vieux Fort North MP, Moses Jn.Baptiste noted with grave concern the onset of the deadly Black Sigatoka disease in the local industry and places blame squarely on the shoulders of Agriculture Minister – Ezechiel Joseph. Moses Jn.Baptiste says Minister Joseph has constantly expressed either directly or by his inaction; the hands - off policy of his Government to the banana industry problems. Mr.Jn.Baptiste says there seems to have been no focus on preventative measures put in place by Government through the Ministry of Agriculture to help the banana companies protect farmers from such a calamity. He says this is very disturbing, considering the Minister’s agricultural expertise and his knowledge of the damage that the disease has caused in the neighbouring islands of Grenada and St. Vincent & the Grenadines, Jn.Baptiste says he recalls the many calls he made since early 2007 to the Government, to pay more attention to the banana farmer’s needs. Instead the Minister decided to follow an ill advised Taiwanese led agricultural policy that has resulted in the model Taiwanese products which have little or no transferability to local conditions. The SLP spokesman says according to experts, the onset of Black Sigatoka is caused when adequate care and attention is not paid to the spraying of fields and when cultural practices are not adhered to. Now, he says after three years of pleading with the UWP Government to help banana farmers ,St. Lucia is on the road to loosing the banana industry altogether. Jn.Baptiste says the situation is urgent and catastrophic, not only for farmers but for the economy of St.lucia. Destruction of the banana industry by Black Sigatoka will have a disastrous impact on the rural areas especially. He has called for immediate action from the Ministry and Minister Ezechiel Joseph in dealing with the situation.
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An international accounting firm with presence in over 115 countries has opened an office in St. Lucia.The international BDO network has chosen St. Lucian Chartered Accountant Brenda Williams to head its local office.Ms. Williams says BDO St. Lucia will offer a comprehensive suite of accounting and auditing services supported by a global network of experts and resources. Brenda Williams established her accounting career in England at the firm Arthur Andersen then moved to St. Lucia where she worked with accounting firm Coopers and Lybrand and eventually becoming a founding member of Chase, Skeete and Boland. Today she heads BDO St. Lucia, the only accounting firm with a female at the helm. BDO, named after its founders, Binder Dijker Otte, has over 1000 offices in 115 countries and is now firmly established in the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, the Bahamas, Trinidad and Tobago, Aruba, St. Marten and Curacao.Last week BDO International formally launched offices in Trinidad and Tobago and St. Vincent and the Grenadines. The St. Lucia office is located at Choc Estate directly opposite Caribbean Cinemas.ENDS=======