Another police constable has been arrested and charged in connection with the murder investigation of 16-year-old Jerbia Paul, bringing the number of officers charged in the case to four.
Patrick Bethelmie Jr., 23, of Bense, was arrested and charged with Perverting the Course of Justice and Possession of Ammunition without a Valid Licence. He is expected to appear before a Roseau Magistrate, where the charges will be read to him.
Bethelmie is the fourth police officer to be charged in connection with the investigation into Paul's death. In total, six people have now been arrested and charged in relation to the case, according to police reports.
The charges against Bethelmie mark the latest development in a case that has drawn significant public attention across the Commonwealth of Dominica. The investigation into the death of the teenager has been ongoing, with authorities pursuing multiple lines of inquiry.
Details of the circumstances surrounding Paul's death and the specific allegations against Bethelmie have not been fully disclosed by investigators. The police force has not released additional information about the nature of the alleged offences or how they relate to the broader investigation.
The case has raised questions within the community about the conduct of law enforcement officers. The Dominica Police Force has continued its work on the investigation while the legal process moves forward.
Bethelmie's court appearance in Roseau will be the next formal step in the proceedings. The charges he faces carry serious legal consequences under Dominican law.
The arrest of multiple police officers in connection with the same case is a significant development for the justice system in Dominica. The investigation remains active, and authorities have not indicated whether further arrests are anticipated.
The public has been urged to allow the legal process to proceed without interference. The courts will determine the outcome of the charges brought against Bethelmie and the other individuals arrested in connection with the case.
This is a developing story. More details will be reported as they become available from official sources.
