ROSEAU, Dominica – Chief Magistrate Candia Carette George, indicating that she wanted to send a strong message in this politically charged environment, on Monday, set bail at EC$30 000 for a man who pleaded not guilty to threatening the life of Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit last week.
The prosecution did not object to bail for Curvel Mitchel who will also report twice weekly to the Roseau Police Station as part of his bail conditions.
The state alleges that between November 7-12, Mitchell threatened Prime Minister Skerrit by saying in a video “we have a dam a** they calling Roosevelt Skerrit, with his dam a** mentality and people that supporting him. Just put the gun in my hands and I tell you I doing it. Time to take you out…”
The magistrate said generally, bail for such on offence is usually EC$5 000, but on this occasion, a gun is involved and because of the politically charged environment she wanted to send a strong message.
She warned the accused against posting similar messages on social media in the future.
Dominicans are preparing to vote in a snap general election on December 6 that Skerrit called three years after leading his Dominica Labour Party (DLP) in 2019 to government with an 18-3 majority in the 21-seat Parliament.
The main opposition parties have already indicated that they will boycott the election and have called for peaceful protests later this week.
Nomination Day is November 18. (CMC)
