The murder of Daniel Langlois in December 2023 immediately gained international press and put a spotlight on the tiny island nation of Dominica, but the microscope that followed has also brought to light a lot more — state corruption, police interference and a concern that the nation has no judicial integrity. At the heart of the case is U.S. citizen, Jonathan Lehrer, that has been held in jail, without trial or the ability to speak to media, since December 2023.
Initially, the lead investigator, ACP Jeffrey James, went on TV multiple times to assure the citizens of Dominica that the police and his investitive prowess led to the arrest of Jonathan Lehrer with ample evidence to easily close the case. As we now hit 18 months since those televised press conferences, why do we find Jonathan Lehrer still in jail and no trial date yet set? The easy answer is that the entire case has fell apart and the system has highlighted that ACP Jeffrey James has lied to the courts at almost every stage of the investigation to date (as stated by Justice Colin Williams in his official bail ruling, Sec 92-103).
Outline of concerning activity from official court proceedings:
- ACP Jeffrey James told the courts in February 2024, “and from my own investigations and personal knowledge that there is a strong Prima Facie case against the applicant including and not limited to direct eye witness evidence, circumstantial evidence, and scientific evidence.” This statement was used to keep Lehrer from gaining bail. In official hearing, Justice Williams determined every point of this statement to be a direct lie, meaning that the prosecution has no eyewitnesses or scientific evidence of any kind.
- In multiple hearings, ACP James and the prosecution called for a delay of the bail hearing because they were waiting for ballistic reports on a bullet found at the scene. ACP James stated they were still waiting on the report as early as April 2024, then again in July 2024 and September 2024. Finally in September 2024, Justice Williams was able to determine that ACP James and the prosecution had received multiple ballistic reports, with the second one being received in July 2024. All of the existing reports showed negative results to Lehrer and his legally registered firearm, helping to show Lehrer’s innocence. All this again highlighted the propensity of ACP James and the prosecution to lie directly under oath in order to delay a bail ruling and continue attempts to potentially edit, alter or change the results of the report.
- ACP James, under oath, declared that Lehrer had a Glock firearm with a 15-round capacity magazine. When Lehrer was arrested, ACP James noted that the 15-round magazine was missing five rounds, which matched the number of found bullets at the scene. When the firearm was brought to the courts, it was easily shown to be a 10-round magazine, not a 15-round and that ACP James had fabricated the connection to the five bullets found at the scene.
- In November 2024, Lehrer was finally granted bail due to lack of evidence and was close to be released. Three days later, ACP James and the prosecution filed an application to revoke bail based on “new investigative evidence” that showed Lehrer would be an immediate flight risk. When pressed by Justice Williams, ACP James was unable to present any factual evidence to support his new claims and Lehrer’s bail was upheld.
- In January 2025, just days away from being released on bail, ACP James filed a new charge of firearms trafficking against Lehrer based on a single firearm magazine found during the initial December 2023 search of Lehrer’s residence. According to international law and the Dominican constitution, a single magazine cannot be cause for a firearms trafficking conviction, so the state and prosecution is once again using corrupt tactics to unjustly interfere with the judicial process and Lehrer is paying the price.
The unfolding case of Jonathan Lehrer has moved far beyond questions of guilt or innocence — it now stands as a damning indictment of Dominica’s justice system. From knowingly false statements under oath by lead investigator ACP Jeffrey James to deliberate withholding and misrepresentation of evidence, the record of court proceedings paints a disturbing picture of systemic misconduct. Despite repeated rulings by Justice Williams exposing these deceptions, Lehrer remains imprisoned without trial, raising urgent concerns not only about prosecutorial abuse, but about the very legitimacy of the judicial process in Dominica. As international scrutiny intensifies, the Lehrer case may well become a defining test of whether Dominica is prepared to uphold the rule of law — or continue down a path of institutional corruption and authoritarian control.
Jonathan Lehrer is represented by Pilgrim & Associates.
About KCT Chambers
KCT Chambers is a law chambers located in Bridgetown, Barbados. It was established out of a desire to help individuals and entities capitalize on opportunities, enforce rights, resolve existing challenges and preempt future ones. We believe in practical and legally grounded solutions and are guided by the core principles of accessibility, integrity and diligence. In order to achieve these objectives we apply a progressive, responsive and client-centred approach which is built upon detailed analysis of legal rights and obligations and the provision of clear, timely and consistent advice. For more information, visit kctchambers.com.
About Andrew O. G. Pilgrim Q.C.
Mr. Pilgrim is the founder of Pilgrim & Associates, the largest law chambers in Barbados to have a focus on criminal litigation. With over 25 years in practice, he is renowned throughout Barbados and the English-speaking Caribbean for his passionate and inspired representation of his clients. He has leveraged his wealth of knowledge and exceptional oratorical and analytical skills in a plethora of cases which have led to landmark decisions of the Court of Appeal of Barbados and the Caribbean Court of Justice.
