Five plead guilrty in Antigua taxi dispute

[sharonny]

1. I would never have used a rogue cab. Taxi's in Antigua are licensed and rates are set - and posted. They probably chose this cabbie because they were able to get the ride cheaper.

2. If I were in the same situation' date=' I would have paid the cabbie. There is no other option in a case like that.

3. I would have chalked it up as a learning experience.

 

If one is so fearful of the unknown, so afraid of the places and people they visit, then, stay home where you're comfortable.

 

Antigua is not some backwoods 3rd world country....to assume that somehow these idiots were being treated unfairly by police is silly.

 

They got what they deserved and hopefully will learn from it.

 

I agree with everything you said except the one in green.

[luddite]

Yes, they were on trial for assaulting, etc. but it was the dispute with the cab fare :eek: that put them into there journey in to the unknown (Twightlight Zone theme playing). :)

 

I disagree. Their journey to the unknown began when they started fighting with the cops. Until then, it was just a disagreement that could've been handled.

It might even have been handled quietly if they'd only HIT a cop. I must believe that BITING a cop had repurcussions.

[DocJohnB]

They weren't on trial for not paying the taxi driver...they were on trial for malicious damage and assaulting a police officer.

 

Charges to which they pled guilty.

 

That puts them in the classification of hoodlums...and thugs....

 

In our country' date=' assaulting a police office can get you 10 to life,.[/quote']

 

Exactly.

 

Those that want to see these folks as virtuous, upstanding citizens can put any spin on the story, any spin on why the pled guilty. If you've read all the news reports (and like it or not that is all we have), there was plenty of evidence given at trial to convict them and I believe they would have been found guilty.

 

The bottom line is they pled guilty and will suffer sentencing tomorrow. Here are the individual pleadings.

 

http://www.caribarena.com/

 

Shoshanna Henry pleaded guilty to four charges, including two counts of beating Cornelia Gordon and Alecia Browne-Weston, on execution of their duties. She also pleaded guilty to two counts of malicious damage to personal belongings of the officers: a blouse and a gold chain valued at EC$915.

 

Joshua Jackson pleaded guilty to beating Officer Jason Modeste in the execution of his duty. Nancy Lalane pleaded guilty to beating Dee Dee Frederick during the execution of her duties. Dolores Lalane pleaded guilty to two charges, one beating Dee Dee Frederick and for malicious damage to a Raymond Weil watch and gold and diamond earrings, both valued at US$3,270. Pierre-Paul pleaded guilty to the charge of indecent language in a public place, on Friday, September 4.

 

The prosecution also withdrew a number of other charges against the defendants.

 

I believe they will be fined, made to pay restitution and be escorted to the local airport.

 

In earlier postings I have referred to them as thugs. The 4 who pled guilty to assault are, IMO, just that. I would give Pierre-Paul the benefit of the doubt and just refer to him as foul-mouthed. If their lawyer is to be believed (and I have no reason to doubt him on this point) these people all lead responsible, productive, law abiding lives back in the U.S. and that can certainly be used to mitigate their punishment . . . . but it does not excuse their thuggish actions that afternoon a few weeks back.

[nrdsb4]

http://www.sfexaminer.com/world/ap/63452267.html

 

Thanks for posting the update. I wondered the other day what was going on with this case.

[Nunu]

Those cops were wearing pretty expensive watches and chains... :eek:

[sharonny]

I disagree. Their journey to the unknown began when they started fighting with the cops. Until then, it was just a disagreement that could've been handled.

It might even have been handled quietly if they'd only HIT a cop. I must believe that BITING a cop had repurcussions.

 

Agree to disagree. My opinion only. It was the dispute of cab fare that put them at that location.

"We asked to be taken to the police that we had seen at the port earlier in the day to resolve the issue and the driver agreed. At that moment, he picked up his cell phone and made a call as he drove in a direction that appeared to be away from the boat. When the group inquired about where he was going, the driver informed us that the road was closed and as a result, he had to take another route.

 

The driver started to pull up to a gated area and we became fearful of the unfamiliar surroundings. As the driver approached the gate, it began to open and I jumped out of the minibus, and the rest of the group followed behind me. As the gate opened, a uniformed officer approached the minibus and exchanged words with the driver and then with Mike. The officer tried to grab Mike, who pulled away, and the officer said, “You are under arrest!” We were still largely unclear of our surroundings, and we were becoming increasingly fearful and confused. At this point, all we saw was a uniformed officer standing outside a gate in front of an unmarked building."

Taken from there version link posted above. What transpired after that is what they pay the price for.

[SGriff1317]

I have never been arrested or convicted of any crimes. I am on the side of the cruisers and may have done the same thing. Look at the facts.

 

1 - The "brawl" did not occur over the cab fare.

The taxi driver took the passengers to a place they were unfamiliar with without their knowledge. In the US this could be classified as KIDNAPPING. Police stations in the US are not gated. There were no signs, only one uniformed officers, you have your wife to protect, what would you think?

 

2 - They tried jumping out of a cab when they were not near the cruise.

Unless you thought you were in danger, why would you try an escape a cab no where near the cruise ship. They wouldnt do this to try and ditch a fare. We are taught in the US that if you are kidnapped and in a car to jump out even if the car is moving. It may be the only chance to get away. These people probably thought once they entered these unknown gates, they may not come out.

 

3 - Almost all officers in the initial incident appear to not be in uniform

A few things going on here. Officers were not in uniform, building was not marked, officer appeared to be the first to assault cruiser, police excessivly abused cruisers both during altercation and in jail. If officers did this in the US they would be fired. The department would also probably be paying a settlement to the cruisers. The cruisers were fighting for their lives and police made no attempt to explain the situation. If this was done in the beginning, the whole altercation could have been avoided. One officer even had bite marks. We are not animals, we do not bite people. The person who bit the officer obviously thought that their life was in danger and was doing anything to escape.

 

 

I am glad Carnival will no longer go to this port. It is not safe if this is how taxi drivers and police act towards tourism. This taxi driver and police cost the country hundreds of thousands of dollars by losing Carnival probably forever. I hope these people get the justice they deserve. They haven't been able to see their families, work, etc for almost a month.

[sharonny]

I have never been arrested or convicted of any crimes. I am on the side of the cruisers and may have done the same thing. Look at the facts.

 

1 - The "brawl" did not occur over the cab fare.

The taxi driver took the passengers to a place they were unfamiliar with without their knowledge. In the US this could be classified as KIDNAPPING. Police stations in the US are not gated. There were no signs, only one uniformed officers, you have your wife to protect, what would you think?

 

2 - They tried jumping out of a cab when they were not near the cruise.

Unless you thought you were in danger, why would you try an escape a cab no where near the cruise ship. They wouldnt do this to try and ditch a fare. We are taught in the US that if you are kidnapped and in a car to jump out even if the car is moving. It may be the only chance to get away. These people probably thought once they entered these unknown gates, they may not come out.

 

3 - Almost all officers in the initial incident appear to not be in uniform

A few things going on here. Officers were not in uniform, building was not marked, officer appeared to be the first to assault cruiser, police excessivly abused cruisers both during altercation and in jail. If officers did this in the US they would be fired. The department would also probably be paying a settlement to the cruisers. The cruisers were fighting for their lives and police made no attempt to explain the situation. If this was done in the beginning, the whole altercation could have been avoided. One officer even had bite marks. We are not animals, we do not bite people. The person who bit the officer obviously thought that their life was in danger and was doing anything to escape.

 

 

I am glad Carnival will no longer go to this port. It is not safe if this is how taxi drivers and police act towards tourism. This taxi driver and police cost the country hundreds of thousands of dollars by losing Carnival probably forever. I hope these people get the justice they deserve. They haven't been able to see their families, work, etc for almost a month.

 

:):):)

[salty dingo]

The taxi driver took the passengers to a place they were unfamiliar with without their knowledge. In the US this could be classified as KIDNAPPING.

 

They refused to pay for a service provided, and apparently refused to get off the bus. I don't think anyone has claimed they were being held on the bus against their will. Don't think the kidnapping argument is going very far.

 

I am glad Carnival will no longer go to this port. It is not safe if this is how taxi drivers and police act towards tourism. This taxi driver and police cost the country hundreds of thousands of dollars by losing Carnival probably forever.

 

I don't think you have all the facts. Carnival did not quit going to Antigua as a result of this incident. The fact the announcement came when it did was coincidental. These decisions take corporate suits months to hammer out in committee meetings.

 

The cab driver was dim-witted, that is for sure, but he was not ripping anyone off. $100 for a bus was the going rate. No one disputes that. The passengers were more stupid than the cab driver for thinking the could have the use of a bus all day for $50.

 

Regardless, the cab dispute is irrelevant - the people were probably boozed up and feeling larger than life. I am glad they got cut down to size and put in a cage.

[Sargent_Schultz]

There version...

 

http://www.ireport.com/docs/DOC-333312

 

Think about it.

 

 

Not their account, but an account. Even in a hearsay account, not under oath or subject to cross examination, the first police officer was IN UNIFORM.

 

Why were all of them not arrested? How did the other 5-6 or 100 get back to the cruise ship?

 

Really nothing to think about.

[Sargent_Schultz]

I have never been arrested or convicted of any crimes. I am on the side of the cruisers and may have done the same thing. Look at the facts.

 

1 - The "brawl" did not occur over the cab fare.

The taxi driver took the passengers to a place they were unfamiliar with without their knowledge. In the US this could be classified as KIDNAPPING. Police stations in the US are not gated. There were no signs, only one uniformed officers, you have your wife to protect, what would you think?

 

2 - They tried jumping out of a cab when they were not near the cruise.

Unless you thought you were in danger, why would you try an escape a cab no where near the cruise ship. They wouldnt do this to try and ditch a fare. We are taught in the US that if you are kidnapped and in a car to jump out even if the car is moving. It may be the only chance to get away. These people probably thought once they entered these unknown gates, they may not come out.

 

3 - Almost all officers in the initial incident appear to not be in uniform

A few things going on here. Officers were not in uniform, building was not marked, officer appeared to be the first to assault cruiser, police excessivly abused cruisers both during altercation and in jail. If officers did this in the US they would be fired. The department would also probably be paying a settlement to the cruisers. The cruisers were fighting for their lives and police made no attempt to explain the situation. If this was done in the beginning, the whole altercation could have been avoided. One officer even had bite marks. We are not animals, we do not bite people. The person who bit the officer obviously thought that their life was in danger and was doing anything to escape.

 

 

I am glad Carnival will no longer go to this port. It is not safe if this is how taxi drivers and police act towards tourism. This taxi driver and police cost the country hundreds of thousands of dollars by losing Carnival probably forever. I hope these people get the justice they deserve. They haven't been able to see their families, work, etc for almost a month.

 

Your "facts" are at best hearsay, and some are flat out wrong.

[sharonny]

Not their account, but an account. Even in a hearsay account, not under oath or subject to cross examination, the first police officer was IN UNIFORM.

 

Why were all of them not arrested? How did the other 5-6 or 100 get back to the cruise ship?

 

Really nothing to think about.

 

An account of one present. Otherwise known as a witness.

[SGriff1317]

In response to the kidnapping:

 

The driver said he would take them back to the port to talk to the officers there. An area they were familiar with. The cab driver lied about where he was going, said a road was closed and took them to a gated unmarked building. The cruisers actions show they thought their life was in danger. Desperate times, desperate measures.

[Mrsg324]

I can't believe that this is still going on. I'm cruious as to the story from the other passengers that were released. If that is accurate, why did they plead guilty?

[Nunu]

If that is accurate, why did they plead guilty?

 

Without knowing (or caring) on whether they were guilty or not, sometimes you just gotta cut your losses...

[Mskala]

I'm going to say this and then I'll leave this subject alone because I can go on all day...

 

Did they react badly? Probably. Were the police 100% correct in their actions? Probably not.

 

Either way, we'll NEVER know the whole story so to call these kids hoodlums and believe the police, in any country, can do no wrong is just poor judgement, period.

[Sargent_Schultz]

An account of one present. Otherwise known as a witness.

 

You are also a witness? How do you know they were present?

 

Why did they run away and leave friends behind? Why did they not return to testify, IF a "witness"?

 

Why published on a user-generated site that is NOT fact checked and not published somewhere reputable?

 

Nope, nothing to think about.

[Sargent_Schultz]

In response to the kidnapping:

 

The driver said he would take them back to the port to talk to the officers there. An area they were familiar with. The cab driver lied about where he was going, said a road was closed and took them to a gated unmarked building. The cruisers actions show they thought their life was in danger. Desperate times, desperate measures.

 

There's a lot of liars, but the cab driver isn't one.

[skylock]

1. I would never have used a rogue cab. Taxi's in Antigua are licensed and rates are set - and posted. They probably chose this cabbie because they were able to get the ride cheaper.

2. If I were in the same situation' date=' I would have paid the cabbie. There is no other option in a case like that.

3. I would have chalked it up as a learning experience.

 

If one is so fearful of the unknown, so afraid of the places and people they visit, then, stay home where you're comfortable.

 

Antigua is not some backwoods 3rd world country....to assume that somehow these idiots were being treated unfairly by police is silly.

 

They got what they deserved and hopefully will learn from it.

 

Are you kidding me?

 

I deal with the police and thier treatment of citizens almost every weekend. Thanks to what I have seen I am not sure what my reactions would have been, but get Andy and Barney off your mind because reality is far different.

 

This past weekend a lady mid 50ish hit a deer down by the river. The deer was badly injured but still alive. The lady called the sheriff's dept who sent out a deputy. The deputy shot the deer, but if did not die, except now it was making crying noises. The lady asked the deputy to shoot it angain to kill it. The duputy said, "It will die" while the deer is still crying and trying to get up. At that time the lady's son in law drives up with his gun.He saw what was going on and ask if the deputy was going to finish the deer off. The lady was crying. The deputy said no, it would die pretty soon. The deer is now in the road still crying and trying to get up so the sil says he will just finish him off and went to get his gun. When he came back with it, he found the lady in handcuffs being put under arrest for interferring with a deputy. He was told to put the gun back in his truch and he was then arrested also for the same thing. Backup showed up, shot the deer, dragged it out of the road and took the two people to jail. Gives you a warm and fuzzy feeling knowing those thugs are out protecting me, how about you?

[SGriff1317]

They pled guilty because they will only have to pay a fine.

[Sargent_Schultz]

I'm going to say this and then I'll leave this subject alone because I can go on all day...

 

Did they react badly? Probably. Were the police 100% correct in their actions? Probably not.

 

Either way, we'll NEVER know the whole story so to call these kids hoodlums and believe the police, in any country, can do no wrong is just poor judgement, period.

 

We certainly will not know the truth if we only listen to the thug's side.

[sharonny]

You are also a witness? How do you know they were present?

 

Why did they run away and leave friends behind? Why did they not return to testify, IF a "witness"?

 

Why published on a user-generated site that is NOT fact checked and not published somewhere reputable?

 

Nope, nothing to think about.

 

LOL! Are you kidding me. Must you doubt everything. From the statement mentioned it says "this is the statement that was prepared by Dudley Brutus, one of the group of the tourists the Antigua Six was part of.". Apparently the group coordinator.

 

All the statements weather it be police or witnesses are coming to the public second hand. I am not a part or this group nor do I know any of them.

[skylock]

We certainly will not know the truth if we only listen to the thug's side.

 

You will not know the truth if you only listen to the police's side of it either.

[bythehex]

I have never been arrested or convicted of any crimes. I am on the side of the cruisers and may have done the same thing. Look at the facts.

 

1 - The "brawl" did not occur over the cab fare.

The taxi driver took the passengers to a place they were unfamiliar with without their knowledge. In the US this could be classified as KIDNAPPING. Police stations in the US are not gated. There were no signs, only one uniformed officers, you have your wife to protect, what would you think?

 

2 - They tried jumping out of a cab when they were not near the cruise.

Unless you thought you were in danger, why would you try an escape a cab no where near the cruise ship. They wouldnt do this to try and ditch a fare. We are taught in the US that if you are kidnapped and in a car to jump out even if the car is moving. It may be the only chance to get away. These people probably thought once they entered these unknown gates, they may not come out.

 

3 - Almost all officers in the initial incident appear to not be in uniform

A few things going on here. Officers were not in uniform, building was not marked, officer appeared to be the first to assault cruiser, police excessivly abused cruisers both during altercation and in jail. If officers did this in the US they would be fired. The department would also probably be paying a settlement to the cruisers. The cruisers were fighting for their lives and police made no attempt to explain the situation. If this was done in the beginning, the whole altercation could have been avoided. One officer even had bite marks. We are not animals, we do not bite people. The person who bit the officer obviously thought that their life was in danger and was doing anything to escape.

 

 

I am glad Carnival will no longer go to this port. It is not safe if this is how taxi drivers and police act towards tourism. This taxi driver and police cost the country hundreds of thousands of dollars by losing Carnival probably forever. I hope these people get the justice they deserve. They haven't been able to see their families, work, etc for almost a month.

 

BRAVO to everything you said. The cabbie, who was ripping them off in the first place, took them to an unmarked building, where a gang of people NOT in uniform and who did not identify themselves as police officers, proceeded to swarm the cab.

 

For all those passengers knew, these could have been friends of the cabbie out to hurt them. Rob, rape, whatever. If it was me, I would have done the same as these passengers. When you feel you're in danger, you're going to fight for your life.

 

People accept plea bargains all the time, even if they feel they aren't guilty, to avoid being thrown, in this case, into a foreign prison. I'm sure all they want to do at this point is go home.

 

I would NEVER go back to Antigua, and I hope Carnival listens to their cruise passengers and continues to put the passengers safety first. I have more respect for Carnival after hearing they're not stopping at Antigua anymore.

 

Sharon

[SGriff1317]

Hey Schultz,

 

If the people were 40+ would they be credible to listen to?

 

So the cab driver is telling the truth? What is his side of the story?

 

What would force a human being to bite someone? Thugs don't do that, people fighting for their life do.

 

What if these people were not taking to a police station but to some place with real thugs and the woman were raped or people were robbed or killed? I will take a month and jail and a fine over risking the lives of my wife or friends.

 

Maybe the people did break the law but I don't think they intended to go brawl with police officers. Guilty or not guilty we shouldn't be going to Antigua if this is how law enforement acts.