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Shamoii A. Dagou out on bail
He posted on his Facebook page on Saturday, December 14, 2019: “Back at it again. The Gou.... 2nd day out”. More than 670 persons have since shown support for Mr Dagou by liking the post while some 96 persons commented with words of encouragement.
It was on July 17, 2019 that Dagou, a well-known basketball player who was generally regarded as a well-behaved character, was sentenced by controversial High Court Judge Ann-Marie Smith to 26 months for looting a $286.76 flat screen television in the aftermath of Hurricane Irma in September 2017.
The sentencing of Dagou had received much criticism from the public, who had labeled the sentencing as too harsh, considering there were persons who committed similar crimes, including police officers, who were only given fines and community service.
The general view was that Dagou, who had no prior criminal record, was unjustly being made an example.
Two legislators, Opposition Members Hon Alvera Maduro Caines (R6) and Hon Julian Fraser RA (R3) had also publicly criticised the lengthy sentencing of Dagou.
‘A bit harsh’
An emotional Hon Maduro-Caines, speaking under Public Business at the Fifth Sitting of the First Session of the Fourth House of Assembly (HoA) on Thursday July 25, 2019 had said while she does not condone crime she finds the sentencing of Mr Dagou to be “a bit harsh” considering the fact there were persons who were caught looting after the hurricanes of September 2017 and were given community service.
“So I ask myself, what is the difference between him and the others? Why was his case taken to the High Court when the other cases were held at the Magistrate’s Court? Was he chosen to be an example and why? Because this was a young man who had no previous records at all, good basketball player who has represented us in different basketball tournaments."
VI ‘not a dumping ground’- Hon Fraser
Meanwhile, Hon Fraser, in expressing his displeasure with the sentencing of Dagou, had also shared serious concerns about Justice Smith.
“I have seen on social media, and I have seen stories about this particular judge before,” Hon Fraser said in a House of Assembly sitting in September 2019, adding that that the VI “is not a dumping ground that anybody could come and dump on” without impunity.
Making it clear that he does not condone looting, Hon Fraser said he was simply advocating for justice and called on Government to “put a halt to all these things that are in place in the territory”.
“We cannot continue to live like all is honkey dory and everybody is happy,” Hon Fraser had stated.
“I don’t believe he (Dagou) is a common criminal and I think many people in the community feel the same way. I think something has to be done if you are gonna incarcerate people for looting, incarcerate all. If you are not going to incarcerate any, then don’t incarcerate one. That young man who is in prison for this act, as heinous as it was, he needs justice.
“With all the looting that took place … was that the only television that was taken? And only one person? I haven’t heard of anyone else being incarcerated; at least, I haven’t heard any outrage,” Hon Fraser added.
‘Irresponsible’
Vocal resident and social commentator Rosemary R. Rosan-Jones aka 'Cindy' had also publicly expressed her disapproval with the sentencing of Mr Dagou, berating 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, Rosan-Jones 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.”
Justice Smith assigned to Antigua & Barbuda
Jamaica national Justice Smith, who also created much public debate when she sentenced Lennox F. Da Silva under seven years for murdering his wife Sherika Nelson-Da Silva on Saturday, June 10, 2017, in the presence of their young children, has since been assigned to Antigua and Barbuda at the commencement of the New Year, January 1, 2020.
Smith is being replaced by Trinidadian, His Lordship, Justice Trevor Ward Q.C.
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26 Responses to “Shamoii A. Dagou out on bail”
Is there a special sentencing guideline for persons because of their nationalities. I think we should encourage our citizens to be law abided citizens and keep away from the law or else we will reap the consequences The Judge is leaving, however, she is leaving the problems behind. Let us encourage our people not to become pessimist to society.
And interestingly, everyone seems to just sweep under the carpet the fact that the young man committed an indictable offence; an offence which, when we look at the broader picture left scores of people jobless in these parts, thanks to the rampant looting which took place in the BVI post Irma.
The justice that looks like an American Bison got to go too.
Sipping on a glass of champagne! The downpressor has left our beautiful shores! Good riddance!
Thank you Hon. Fraser and Hon. Caines for speaking out!
I have zero sympathy for such degenerative behaviour ..During a hurricane of the century and not food or water but an idiot box his mind functioning like that ? Yep he need to be outta society for a long time.
What penalty others got have no bearing and no he is not indigenouus to the vi but was washed up on the shores via parents looking betterment from god knows where thiefing is in dem blood.