American Millionaire Denied Bail in Dominica Murder Case

Jonathan Lehrer, an American millionaire charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail by a High Court judge. Lehrer and his co-accused, Robert Snider Jr., are expected to remain in custody at least until a preliminary hearing scheduled for June.

The victims, Daniel Langlois and Dominique Marchand, were a well-known Quebec businessman and his wife who owned an eco-resort in Dominica. Their burnt bodies were found in a vehicle in December 2023. Investigators relied on circumstantial evidence due to the severity of the fire.

Court documents indicate that Lehrer had been involved in a years-long dispute with Langlois over the use of Morne Rouge Public Road, which passed through Lehrer's Bois Cotlette Estate. Langlois had sued Lehrer, and the court ruled in favor of Langlois, granting unrestricted access to the road.

The Director of Public Prosecution, Sherma Dalrymple, strongly opposed Lehrer's bail application, citing the severity of the evidence against him and the public's concerns. Judge Collin Williams denied the bail application, stating that Lehrer had not met the requirements for bail and there was no just cause for granting it.

A protest was held at the high court as Lehrer applied to be released from prison earlier this month. The victims were known for helping Dominica recover after it was devastated by Hurricane Maria in 2017.

Why this matters: The case has garnered significant attention due to the high-profile nature of the victims and the accused, as well as the long-standing dispute over land use that preceded the murders. The denial of bail highlights the seriousness of the charges and the public interest in the case.

Dalrymple expressed confidence in the judge's ruling, emphasizing the serious and heinous nature of the allegations against Lehrer. The prosecution intends to have the trial start at the September Assizes, and the evidence against the accused men must be made available to the defense by June 18. Langlois was a successful animator who had sold his company, Softimage, to Microsoft and received a scientific and technical Oscar.

Key Takeaways

• American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail for Canadian couple's murder
• Victims Daniel Langlois and Dominique Marchand owned an eco-resort in Dominica
• Lehrer and co-accused Robert Snider Jr. to remain in custody until June hearing
• Lehrer had long-standing dispute with Langlois over use of public road
• Prosecution confident in case, trial scheduled for September Assizes