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Roseau, Dominica — Justice Davidson Baptiste of the High Court on Monday denied bail to 57-year-old American national Jonathan Lehrer, who faces charges related to firearms trafficking in connection with a double murder case.
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Lehrer is charged with trafficking and unlawfully importing firearms, including a Mac-11 9mm with threaded barrel, multiple Glock magazines, and over 140 rounds of 9mm ammunition. The alleged offences relate to an incident on December 4, 2023. Senior Magistrate Michael Laudat had previously denied Lehrer bail, citing public interest concerns.
Lehrer’s attorney filed an urgent application, arguing that the firearms charges were being used as a “colorable device” to keep Lehrer incarcerated and prevent him from accessing medical treatment abroad, referencing a prior bail grant in November 2024. The state opposed the application, maintaining its stance against bail on both the firearms and double murder charges.
Lehrer and 62-year-old Robert Snyder Jr., also an American, are accused of murdering Canadian animation pioneer and philanthropist Daniel Langlois, 62, and his longtime partner Dominique Marchand, 58, between November 29 and December 2, 2023. The victims’ bodies were later discovered incinerated in a car near Gallion, where they owned a hotel.
Because murder is an indictable offence, Lehrer and Snyder were not required to enter pleas in magistrate’s court. Previously, Lehrer had applied for bail on medical grounds to travel to the United States, but the request was denied.
Justice Colin Williams had outlined strict conditions for any potential bail, including a one-million Eastern Caribbean dollar bond, revocation of U.S. citizenship, approval from the High Court for any travel, and daily reporting to the Grand Bay Police Station. The surety would also need “total control” over Lehrer.
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