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‘Cindy’ blasts Judge over ‘harsh’ sentencing of Irma looter

- Rosemary R. Rosan-Jones aka 'Cindy' berates Justice Ann-Marie Smith over 2-year sentencing of young man who looted TV
Controversial public activist Rosemary R. Rosan-Jones aka 'Cindy', right, has berated Justice Ann-Marie Smith over her 2-year sentencing of a young man for looting. Photo: Facebook/ Channel5Belize.com
Rosemary R. Rosan-Jones aka 'Cindy' had criticized Justice Ann-Marie Smith’s recent 6 ½ year sentencing of a man who murdered his wife in 2017. Photo: Facebook
Rosemary R. Rosan-Jones aka 'Cindy' had criticized Justice Ann-Marie Smith’s recent 6 ½ year sentencing of a man who murdered his wife in 2017. Photo: Facebook
Residents, spearheaded by Rosemary R. Rosan-Jones aka 'Cindy', have criticized as harsh a 2-year sentence handed down by Justice Ann-Marie Smith to Belle Vue resident, Shamoii A. Dagou, who reportedly looted a flat-screen television after observing several others looting in the aftermath of hurricanes Irma and Maria of 2017. Photo: Facebook
Residents, spearheaded by Rosemary R. Rosan-Jones aka 'Cindy', have criticized as harsh a 2-year sentence handed down by Justice Ann-Marie Smith to Belle Vue resident, Shamoii A. Dagou, who reportedly looted a flat-screen television after observing several others looting in the aftermath of hurricanes Irma and Maria of 2017. Photo: Facebook
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – The moment Justice Ann-Marie Smith handed a down a mere 6 ½ years jail sentence to St Vincent national Lennox F. Da Silva aka ‘Ocho’ for the gruesome murder of his wife Sherika Nelson- Da Silva, persons began to express surprise over the short penalty the Vincentian would have to pay for his crimes.

Now, residents are taking to social media to decry a 2-year sentence handed down by the same judge to a Belle Vue resident, Shamoii A. Dagou, who reportedly looted a flat-screen television after observing several others looting in the aftermath of hurricanes Irma and Maria of 2017.

He was sentenced to 26 months at Her Majesty’s Prison on Wednesday, July 19, 2019, just days after the July 12, 2019 sentence of the St Vincent national.

But is the ruling handed down by Justice Smith too harsh in relation to her earlier sentence handed down for murder?

Judge was irresponsible – Rosan-Jones

Vocal resident and social commentator Cindy R. Rosan-Jones has now moved to publically berate Justice Smith in a Thursday July, 25, 2019, social media post.

“Let me just say that the looting that went on in this territory after the hurricanes was deplorable. There is no defense or justification. However, to toss this young man in jail for 2 years for looting a $300 TV is irresponsible of this Judge; especially given the precedent that has been set in some other cases for the same looting during the aftermath of the hurricane,” she said. 

Questioning the fairness of the ruling handed down by Justice Smith, the controversial resident in her social media post, also said, “We have to be extremely careful when we decide to unconscionably, grossly affect the lives and future of our young people in particular. Especially our MEN.”

Rosan-Jones further said that based on the precedent set in the cases, and the positive factors alluded to by the young man during this ordeal, “he does not deserve to lose 2 immediate years of his life or the aftermath of jail time. The BVI as a society, is very unforgiving to prisoners,” she underscored.

No Sympathy – Resident

However, while Rosan-Jones’s views were against the harsh penalty given to the looter, several others on her social media posts shared disagreements with the points she raised.

One resident, Bennet Smith in lashing back at Rosan-Jones said, “Sorry! No sympathy here. The morning after Irma, by dawn, I was out, along with others, clearing the roads in the East End, Beef Island area. It never crossed my mind that I should be beating down and destroying those already injured.”

Pointing to looting as a deliberate vile attack on the country, its law-abiding residents, the economy and the way of life, he said, “My view is that looters should have been shot on sight as appropriate treatment for the despicable scum that they showed themselves to be. They declared war on the country and the country should have responded appropriately and be prepared to respond in the future.”

One other resident, Ms Colette Corea, indicated that the convicted looter was employed at a police station and hence, "This may have been viewed as an aggravating factor as the message it sends is that he ought to have known better."

"I agree the sentence was a bit stiff though," she said.

Legal Training Coming 

Meanwhile, recognising the need to create legal guidelines with regards to the approach to be taken by judges and magistrates sitting in the Criminal Division in determining a sentence, Honourable Justice Iain Morley, QC through the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court will be conducting a series of training as early as Monday, July 29, 2019.

The Training implementation intention is to result in a more uniform approach to sentencing practice, greater consistency in sentencing, transparency, and in turn, greater public confidence in the administration of criminal justice. 

Participants to be trained at the seminar are: the Attorney General and his officers, the Prosecuting Team at the Director of Public Prosecutions Office, the Magistracy, the Commissioner of Police and his officers, the Superintendent of Prisons and his officers, Social Development Department, the Probation Department and the Chairman of the Parole Board.

25 Responses to “‘Cindy’ blasts Judge over ‘harsh’ sentencing of Irma looter”

  • Outlaw (25/07/2019, 18:33) Like (36) Dislike (31) Reply
    I wonder if the girl, Rosemary “Cindy” Rosan-Jones realize that here post calling the judge sentence irresponsible tantamount to contempt of court. I think she is very irresponsible with her post. If she and others are peeved over the sentence then they can encourage the young man to appeal against such sentence instead of taking on the judge in a social media setting.
    • Not contempt (26/07/2019, 08:09) Like (29) Dislike (3) Reply
      It’s not contempt of court, it’s a Facebook post for crying out loud. She’s allowed to say whatever she wants as someone uninvolved in the case.
    • Research First (26/07/2019, 12:41) Like (8) Dislike (1) Reply
      This is not contempt of court. Research before you mislead ignorant people. Don't post if you don't know. Shoot man!
      • Outlaw (26/07/2019, 13:09) Like (5) Dislike (2) Reply
        @Research First. Seeing that you are such a good researcher and knows it all why don’t you tell ignorant people what it is. Here it is a judge handed down a sentence for a criminal offense, you have this young lady publicly criticizing the judges decision in a face book post calling it irresponsible, well if that is not contempt, tell me what it is. Only in the BVI people get along with these kind of crap.
      • Outlaw (26/07/2019, 13:13) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
        @Research First. Contempt of court. ... When a court decides that an action constitutes contempt of court, it can issue a court order that in the context of a court trial or hearing declares a person or organization to have disobeyed or been disrespectful of the court's authority, called "found" or "held" in contempt. Was Cindy been disrespectful to the courts authority? Yes she was, calling the judge irresponsible for a sentence she handed down in a court of law is very disrespectful.
      • Outlaw (26/07/2019, 13:18) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
        Criminal Contempt
        Under Section 2(c) of the Contempt of Courts Act of 1971, criminal contempt has been defined as the publication (whether by words, spoken or written, or by signs, or by visible representation, or otherwise) of any matter or the doing of any other act whatsoever which:

        (i) Scandalises or tends to scandalise, or lowers or tends to lower the authority of, any court, or
        (ii) Prejudices, or interferes or tends to interfere with the due course of any judicial proceeding, or
        (iii) Interferes or tends to interfere with, or obstructs or tends to obstruct, the administration of justice in any other manner.
        • Outlaw (26/07/2019, 14:09) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
          @Not contempt and Research First. Tell me if Cindy’ s action fits into the definition above.
  • Hmmmm. (25/07/2019, 18:44) Like (41) Dislike (14) Reply
    He took advantage in our time of weakness. I have no sympathy. Stop condoning wrong that’s what’s wrong with the BVI.
  • Agree (25/07/2019, 19:08) Like (39) Dislike (13) Reply
    Rosan this is one time I really after with you. The sentence was very harsh. That' judge should have never get into the BVI justice system. Run her name through the internet you will see what she did in Belize. We in the BVI needs to screen these people who come here to work. They all know that the BVI is an open market whete you can come and go as you like. Ms Ann Marie Smith did bad things the last place she works. She lied about it. Then turn Around and admit after the evidence were overweening against her. She's not fit to sit as a judge. Screen these people before they come here. Check the news in Belize. Internet punch in her name.
  • Xxx (25/07/2019, 19:20) Like (30) Dislike (9) Reply
    I am not a fan of Cindy but I agree with her
  • wize up (25/07/2019, 20:18) Like (22) Dislike (6) Reply
    I will keep on saying: a number of persons in key positions in our territory do have any social interest: some are here simply because of the United States Currency: how can some person kills someone(not even in self defence( and a sitting judge give that person 6 years: what message does that send to persons living in this country(kill your mate when things not going your way)....not even touching sending people to jail for 2 years in an offence where a television set was taken....
  • shark (25/07/2019, 20:19) Like (19) Dislike (6) Reply
    I applaud you Cindy,there were a lot more that did and they were given a slap on the wrist.
  • biker (25/07/2019, 20:27) Like (7) Dislike (1) Reply
    Just like the governor the BVI has no control over what judges are sent to preside in the Virgin Island High Court. If your unhappy with a presiding judge then go and complain to the Chief Justice in Castries, St. Lucia not here. Besides most of High Court judges only serve 4-6 years on an island and then are moved by the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court to another island.
    • wize up (26/07/2019, 00:02) Like (6) Dislike (4) Reply
      @ biker: unlike what is happening now in the British Virgin Islands our ancestors stud up for what was justifiable: send a note to her boss expressing our concerns: over the years this territory had members of the judiciary that were recalled(not in recent times I must add) these days our people simply sits back and allow our manners of people to walk all over us(just saying)
  • facts (25/07/2019, 22:45) Like (8) Dislike (4) Reply
    Cindy you are so correct....this is injustice
  • west (25/07/2019, 23:59) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    What about Paul p?
  • @ Agree (26/07/2019, 08:14) Like (2) Dislike (4) Reply
    http://amandala.com.bz/news/chief-magistrate-ann-marie-smith-demits-office/
  • musa (26/07/2019, 08:17) Like (2) Dislike (11) Reply
    jail and deported
    • z6ne (26/07/2019, 11:14) Like (12) Dislike (0) Reply
      Deported to where? Baughers Bay or Bell Vue? Pick your choice cause that are your options
  • . (26/07/2019, 09:34) Like (4) Dislike (3) Reply
    I understand that the TV was confiscated on spot so why he have to pay for it? Did the police damage it while in their care? If someone steal my chain and returned it in good condition, then why they have to pay me for it? Why the matter went to High Court? I understand he worked at RVIPF so he need to be punished but I think 6 months in prison plus probation would have been enough for a first time offender. I am a bit lost with this case. Maybe the Judge had her monthly and was not in a good mood that day.
  • VI Gyal (26/07/2019, 10:34) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply

    So it is only Cindy post about this? please!

  • Futuristic (26/07/2019, 11:54) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    https://www.google.com/amp/s/nbzlive.wordpress.com/2015/10/30/chief-magistrate-of-belize-ann-marie-smith-on-hot-seat-for-public-funds/amp/
  • Draconian (26/07/2019, 12:18) Like (7) Dislike (1) Reply
    sad. The sentence is harsh indeed, so this should be a warning to all would be looters. leave things that don't belong to you alone.
  • Binocs (26/07/2019, 15:34) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    People who least expect to loot was doing it the pastor with the 50 inch tv
  • Unbelievable (26/07/2019, 20:56) Like (11) Dislike (1) Reply
    So the question is why didn’t Pastor Cline go to court and speak on the boy behalf knowing he could be sentenced to prison time... As a pastor he should have been the first to forgive the young man. He could have asked the judge to sentence him to community service at the church where he would the be able to mentor the young man and rehabilitate him... The church has lost its way all in the name of money and material things.. shame on you Pastor Cline.. What happen with Irma was not an ordinary time it was the first time we experienced tornados in the Caribbean.. no one was in their right mind.


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