Premier concerned over payouts from court cases lost by DPP
The building that houses the Office of the DPP
Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley has expressed concern over public funds being spent in cases lost by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), as questions mount following the recent acquittal of police officer Marley Sebastien.
Speaking during a live broadcast of Virgin Islands Voice, the Premier responded to a caller who raised concerns about a series of high-profile cases that have been unsuccessful, including the Sebastien matter, and queried the cost to the public purse, particularly where a King’s Counsel (KC) from the United Kingdom was engaged.
The caller referenced multiple cases and suggested that the government could face significant financial liabilities when prosecutions fail, including payments to legal representatives and potential compensation.
In response, the Premier said he did not have access to specific figures relating to payments made to the KC. However, he acknowledged the broader financial implications of unsuccessful prosecutions.
“As it pertains to whether I’m concerned when we lose a case and have to pay out money, of course,” he said.
The Premier added that such outcomes are undesirable given competing demands on public resources. “Certainly, nobody wants to lose, and nobody wants to have to pay out monies for things that you want to put towards other important things for the people,” Wheatley stated.
The comments come against the backdrop of the recent case involving Marley Sebastien, in which the court ruled in the defendant’s favour.
The issue has gained prominence as multiple matters involving the DPP’s office have not succeeded at trial or on appeal. In one widely reported case, the DPP lost an appeal against a “no-case” submission involving former police officers, after the court upheld an earlier ruling that the prosecution had not established sufficient evidence.
Other cases have included matters that were dismissed or withdrawn at the magistrate’s level, further fuelling debate about prosecutorial decisions and the strength of evidence being brought before the courts.
The most recent case involving Sebastien has intensified that scrutiny. The matter has also drawn attention because of the involvement of state-funded external legal counsel, raising concerns about costs when cases do not succeed.
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I want everyone of those persons who were wrongly arrested, charged and prosecuted to file a claim for malicious prosecution against the government. This is nonsense! The DPP is abusing her power and using the legal system like a weapon. It’s time to pay up for her actions!
There is something wrong in that office that needs to be addressed. With this losing streak, that is not good, and its costing the country lots of money.
I get the impresions based on the courts rulings there is a common theme here: Insufficient evidence.
That being the case, the DPP office should be ensuring their evidene is rock solid before they present a case to the court.
If the problem is insufficient evidence gathering, that needs to be fixed. If it’s insufficient submission of evidence to the court, that also needs to be fix.
I have called for the DPP saking for a while now. Her performance is poor and costing taxpayers money. If she had a private job with this kind of losing record, she would have been sacked a long time ago.
Time after time, case after case, in my opinion, the DPP has demonstrated an inability to dischage function. She has had multiple bites at the apple to get things right and she has mostly fell short. Nothing will change with her at the helm.
Its 2026. How long will this losing parade continue?
I believe she is being allowed to keep her job because she is one of us, but being one of us while coming up short most times is unacceptable.
Unfortunately, the DPP appears to have poor legal skills and very very poor judgment. Those problems are compounded because she appears to be self important, very very arrogant, and to have absolutely no insight into her own short comings. Competent lawyer are unlikely to be prepared to work under her leadership, and thus there seems to be a staffing crisis in her office. The DPP blames salaries, but the salaries are higher than those in other parts of the region – the problem is the DPP.
The DPP had a habit of publishing press releases promoting herself and reminding everybody that every decision as to whether to prosecute is hers and hers alone. This statement was made to big herself up, but now comes back to bite her – the reason that so many cases are dismissed before the Defence are even called upon to respond is because the DPP has decided to prosecute a case where there is not sufficient evidence.
She needs to be removed ASAP – but there is no desire by politicians that she is prosecuting to remove her and replace her with somebody competent.
If the DPP had any insight or judgment, surely she would resign – but she must worry that if she does resign nobody will likely employ her, and no criminal defendants will want to be represented by her.
You summed it up well, covering all the bases.
Absolutely. Agreed. That incompetence can be measured by the victories of the defendants laywers.
It’s clear to me she is no match for a good lawyer defending their client. They take her cases apart, poke holes in them, and walk away victorious most times.
You are right to say “if she does resign nobody will likely employ her, and no criminal defendants will want to be represented by her.”
I would not hire her giving her record if my life was on the line or if I was facing serious criminal charges that could get me a stiff prison sentence.
With her at the defense table, I will be guaranteed of a conviction and one way ticket to Balsum Ghut.
Her “arrogant” personality as per you is clearly not winning cases, and when she wins any they are being reversed by the court of appeals.
What’s the purpose of having her remain in that position other than to collect a salary and frustrate the course of justice? She should be SACKED.
Disclaimer: I am law abiding. I’m not trying to commit any crimes. I value my freedom.
The ODPP is staffed with Counsel who knows what they are doing. But what can do they when they take the file to the DPP herself saying there is not enough evidence and the matter should not be brought to the court or in the case where it was already file to have the matter discontinued and she still pushes for it to be go forward. She is the one who signs these documents.
The DPP feel she is smarter and better than everybody in her office because of her post. But it always turns around and put her to shame because counsel is always right about these matters.
Imagine you telling your boss 2+2 is 4 and she telling you its 8 so your working is wrong and you need to put 8 on your paper or else she will send you home yo your country.
Then she goes and files appeals, wasting government funds again.
Not against the Government only, but the DPP in her personal capacity (if that’s possible)
No surprise when you use the legal system to go after your opponent aided by the uk with racism the results are always the same
the solution is obvious but in the bvi we don’t do solutions
The governor is protecting the DPP and he knows why. When they are done they talk about good governance and accountability. It’s only accountability when it comes to the things that locals are responsible for. He is responsible for the DPP and she continues to bring cases before the courts that should not be there and they get thrown. She continues to bring in these lawyers from the UK and pay them our tax money and they lose case after case. No accountability!
A picture is worth a thousand words. The DPP will never bingo once that “O” is missing.
Allowing the draining of the public purse, similar to the Bank of Asia , laundering money through the secretive liquidation process, now payouts creatively portrayed as unopposed compensation, ridiculous.
An concerning and disturbing article with concerns that have been expressed in the media ad nauseum.
A personal observation is the absence of the identity of the subject concern. Missing from the published article and thcomments.
Wha she name,wha shee look like, who she fa.,Dpp Dppp ..is a title,a handle nothing tangible..a cover to enable purveyors in their unconscionable expensive deeds of injustice, rather than they be motivated to correct the shortcoming.
The joint unspoken but obvious agreement between locals, Gov members and the media in protecting the ready identity of local wrongdoers of all strata is an element which contributes to prolonged and reptitive faults. Not at all conducive to good governance, social equity and trust within the John Q Public sufferers.
Happy to pay for the Speaker from the Yellow Belly sites fines though!!
Can the AG tell this honourable House how many monies have been paid out directly as a result of the DPP’s office since Mrs. Tiffany Scatliffe-Esprit took over the helm of that department? Secondly, how much money has been paid to attorneys out of the UK to prosecute all these matters that were dismissed, and present contractual agreements with these lawyers?
Fire Tiffany!
Both the DDP and that Crown counsel woman at the AG’s office who has loss ALL of her cases against Wade Smith needs to be stripped of their posts immediately
Those dirty and corrupted Police Officers who are covering up for the wrong doings of their friends need to be weeded out of the force forthwith..
The premier isn’t. concerned about DPP performance just the dollars
I was expecting to see the figures
Open and honest for our seeing is believing is never forthcoming. Always there is a hint a coverup,missing vital info.
The DPP is lazy. These matters she is signing the indictments for them to go court and not dealing with them herself. There is no reason why the DPP herself do not go to court. In other Caribbean countries, their DPP attends court. She seeks advice from this KC for all these matters, then he comes and loses. The governments purse is being used stupidly. He has to get paid for the case, then his plane ticket, accommodation, rental. The KC is just milking the cow because the DPP doesnt not want to deal with these matters herself out of laziness and fear of embarrassment. What is the point of having a DPP who cannot make a proper decision for majority of these matters, whether in the high court or magistrate’s court. Either way it is all up to her with all these nonsense decisions she approves and signs these documents. It is a total waste of public funds.
Maybe lazy, but the real
Problem is ignorance and arrogance.
Do we expect anything better and they can’t even replace the “O” that’s missing in the sign of a government office? Wow mehson
What is happening in the British Virgin Islands is not случайно — it is the result of a system failing at its core.
Faulty arrests, poorly collected evidence, broken chains of custody, and weak case-building. That is the reality allowing suspects to walk free while the State pays compensation with public funds.
Let’s be clear: there are serious deficiencies in police procedures and in how cases are prepared. This is not perception — it is a structural problem.
Until this is addressed with urgency — real training, strict oversight, and accountability — justice will continue to weaken, and the financial burden will fall on the people.
Because this is not just about losing cases…
it’s about losing the credibility of the entire justice system.
WELL CSC HOLLER AT US SOME TIME AGO /THAT WE ARE DEALING WITH PEOPLE ON THE DARK SIDE ( AKA ) – SO SIME IF US CAN OVERSTAND , THAT THESE PE HAVE S THEIR SOULS TO THE DEVIL sadly – he is a wannabe ,so he’s unable to cleanse himself ~ much more them from the powers of darkness ~¿~ all “claudia” good for , is to ” chat” ah whole lot ah sh*t and we all know that a good ” tarker is ah good liar “
Yet the Governor say he got full confidence in the DPP; is like what he seeing that nobody else can’t cause losing case after case costing the country a set of money doesn’t inspire confidence. We need somebody in that position who actually knows what they doing!
Best DPP example was charging their passenger on the boat that hit & killed our dear Frandiw. not either captain but a passenger! nefarious police work and the approval of AG DS who seems to be getting a free ride in these comments. The AG overseas the DPP. She is also to blame. London counsel brought and and the defendant still won. Malicious prosecutuon at it’s very best.
The DPP don’t listen to no one. Even some officers can tell you she don’t listen to them even when they tell her there is no evidence in some cases for arrest. She will forever to losing cases. Too cocky and bull headed. The Governor will never deal with her.
Is the DPP the prosecutor,- the leader barrister, in the courts?
If so, why?
Supportive counsels should be, instead!
I think this could be, the crux, of the failure!
Here in the US Virgin Islands, the Attorney General and US Attorney, manages the offices, but are not found in the courts!
Supportive counsels, are the the ones doing that stuff!
Perhaps, this approach, may allow counsels the freedom to prosecute in a manner, that can bring about the outcomes, that the community desires!
At least they were getting half salary and we just have to pay the other half even though it is for a long period.
Why isn’t the Premier worried about us paying out these new salaries that they just gave themselves and satisfying the Greedy Bill payments for Politicians who are not delivering on their mandates to the people. Not delivering on basics like water, road infrastructure, agriculture, and healthcare, but yet some collecting and will collect for as short a stint as 4 years in Council while civil servants have to work for 25 years and collect peanuts on retirement? Plerase, miss me with this. He would have saved that party money if he was worried about spending. Now he found for a plan for the party site, touting it as ‘a cultural site’.
And now Cindy win too. Big money to pay out again. Skelton will probably win to move since Cbsy done win. 2 more cases and 2 more losses.
I am withe premiere on the concerns of payout to DPP office, buti am hopeful he extend his concerns to the payouts to Vybz Kartel and the travel tickets and parties.
I SORRY I THINK YOU ALL NEED TO CALL PEOPLE LIKE TATANIA SMALL AND PAY HER LET HER BE THE DPP or something got be done, no saying fire tiffany but she needs help ..
You and your brother spent more taxpayer money on unnecessary travel and partying- you really think we the people are stupid – return that greedy bill money and remember election coming soon