Philipsburg: --- Police have arrested three persons who are responsible for the stabbing of French National Victor Vanier. Police Spokesman Johan Janchi Leonard said on Friday November 7th they arrested the main suspect in the stabbing incident. He has been identified as J.E.B (14) born in the United States of America. Also arrested on Friday was L.G.P (16) from St. Maarten while on Saturday police nabbed the third suspect S.M.W (14) from St. Maarten. Leonard said based on the indications they have at this moment this incident was not a robbery instead it was an argument that escalated that caused the fatal stabbing.In an invited comment Prosecutor Rink Mud said the suspects will be taken to see the judge of instruction so that they can remain in pretrial detention. Asked what types of penalties these 14-year olds can receive for murder and or manslaughter. Mud said that these youngsters will surely not go to jail based on the existing laws. The prosecutor said that the law does allow them to try the case of the 16 year old as an adult which would give him jail time. The most the 14 year olds can get for such a crime is treatment at an in-house facility in Curacao.
Victor Vanier was stabbed while at an ATM machine in Simpson Bay two Saturday's ago. He was laid to rest last Thursday while friends and family of the victim marched through the streets of Marigot demanding justice and an elimination to the escalating crime on the island.
Relatives of the deceased also claimed Vanier was stabbed after an apparent robbery attack which is now subject to dispute.
One of the underlying questions the parents of the two 14 year-olds have to answer is why these under aged youths are on the streets at 4 am in the morning. Mud said that somewhere along the line these parents did not fulfill their parental duties. However, the prosecutor's hands are once again tied since they do not have the power to prosecute these parents for the crimes their children committed. "The law is clear we can only prosecute the perpetrators of the crime and not second parties" Mud said.
In the meantime, a group of persons including hoteliers, merchants, presidents of Conseils de Quartiers, and Associations met on Saturday at the French Tourist Office where they have decided to publish the following death announcements in the media.
According to well placed sources this media house has learnt that these persons will be wearing "Black" to attend the St. Maarten" St. Martin's Day celebration in French Quarter. The purpose of this manifestation is to mourn the sudden death of the island due to escalating crime. Below is the "Death Announcement which was sent to be published.
DEATH ANOUNCEMENT
The Citizens,
The Friends,,
The Children,
The Families of Saint Martin,
Would like to announce the death of their
« FRIENDLY ISLAND »
In the year 2008, at the age of 360 years
Following a long and painful agony
In the absolute silence
And left unattended by those who could have save her
The funeral service will be held
On Monday, Decembre 8th 2008
In the dead town of Marigot
The families, children, freinds will remember
that this sad death took place under the mandate of
Mr Dominique LACROIX, Préfet ,
MrFrantz GUMBS, Président of the Collectivité,
Mr Franklyn RICHARDS, Governor
Mrs Sarah WESCOTT-WILLIAMS,
Leader of Government.
