While the Director of Public Prosecutions remains committed to upholding the law and ensuring a fair and just legal system for all, given the current spate of murders in the Federation, it would be remiss of the DPPO not to acknowledge the significant challenges the office faces in prosecuting murder and other serious cases.
Uncooperative witnesses pose a major hurdle in bringing alleged perpetrators to justice. The ramifications of uncooperative witnesses, especially in a small federation like St. Kitts and Nevis, are profound. Witnesses who refuse to give evidence, particularly in serious crimes like murder, create a climate of impunity whereby people will kill at will, at any place, at any time with no regard for the safety of the public.
Such a state of affairs does not bode well against the backdrop of there having already been 11 murders for the year. Criminals have become emboldened by the knowledge that investigations and prosecutions are hampered by a lack of cooperation. If this trend remains unimpeded, ultimately many murder prosecutions may fail or have to be withdrawn in the future with the State possibly having to dole out significant sums consequent upon lawsuits brought by aggrieved accused. This has far-reaching implications for the tourism product and possibly the Federation’s Citizenship by Investment Program as a result of the further threat to national security.
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions STRONGLY urges all witnesses (whether in current cases before the court or to crimes not yet solved) to come forward and cooperate with prosecutions and investigations. Where a person prefers to communicate directly with the Director of Public Prosecutions, this can be arranged via appointment with the Office. At that stage, various options can be explored regarding witness protection anonymity or similar measures designed to put a witness at ease. It is only through a collaborative effort can we ensure safety and justice for all.
Adlai Smith
Director of Public Prosecutions