death of the judge

D'Eramo wasn't a Federal judge, so I don't think the FBI can waltz in without an invitation. I hope I'm wrong.

I am not offended by the comparison to 24. I think those who post here clearly empathize with D'Eramo's family. Since few facts have been provided to the public, speculation is the only alternative and neither dishonorable nor embarrassing; those terms more accurately describe local law enforcement. D'Eramo's death affects the public and because suicide is highly unlikely, it seems the thugs are winning and we are fearful.

The rampant speculation is dishonorable and embarrassing. Please stop making unfounded assumptions and comparisons to TV dramas. Feel free to share concrete facts and statements from public officials. Otherwise, continue to keep his family in mind and respect Judge D'Eramo's contributions to the Virgin Islands.

I hardly think anyone was showing disrespect to the Judge. In fact, just the opposite. The crooks are becoming bolder than they ever were so speculation & assumptions & riling up the community just may put an end to this nonsense.

Here is the article from the "Virgin Islands Daily News".

http://www.virginislandsdailynews.com/index.pl/article_home?id=17635300

so i heard through the grapevine that the new judge is being extra careful, also there is another high profile case coming up, the hospital killing. i hope they get alot of protection for the new judge and family and the jurors.

and remember when i say I HEARD it is just speculation. i do hope they will be safe.

From what I hear it's pointing very strongly to suicide. I am not going to repeat the rest of what I heard because we don't need his name tainted and it's best to let him rest in peace. I'm just saying this to let you guys know...to just let it ride, wait and see what comes out.

After years of things being swept under the rug, covered up & ignored I doubt most people will ever believe a suicide verdict with good reason.

My husband was at the police station following the hospital killing, and he met the father of the EMT who was in the ambulance with the guy who was later shot in the hospital. This man's son, the EMT, was also murdered just after the shooting. He just "disappeared" from the north shore road and was found days later. When people here want to cover up a crime, they do not mess around, and the brazen-ness is what is so scary.

How do they get people to be on these juries? Sounds dangerous...

Deleted my post.

I'm with you Trade and believe me I was on the corruption band wagon too...but I guess K-mart video cameras are one of the few things that work right on this island.

Judge D'Eramos death breaks my heart. I haven't yet weaped for his loss to our community, as I am still in shock.

I believe that there are serious changes coming not only to St Croix, but to the territory as a whole. There are still ways of dealing with things from our past, and unfortunately, I feel our admired Judge was a consequence of the corrupt hanging on to that past.

If our beloved Judge was "forced" to decide between the death of himself by "assisted suicide" or the deaths of his vibrant young children, then he probably made the only choice he could.

Please let's all not let the corrupt intimidate any single one of us any longer. Let's all take faith in the tried and true organization of Crime Stoppers. Let's all believe and trust in the newly asserted visions of our VIPD. It is not the fault of VIPD that the judge may have been forced to make the decision he had to, but maybe it is all so much more apparent that we must begin to work and support the fresh and welcomed changes in our police department.

Stop blaming the Police, start blaming yourselves for not coming forward with information on the smallest of crimes. STOP going to the restaurants that are obviously using drugs and your money to support their habits. STOP buying gas from the 8+ stations that are owned by one price-fixing man. STOP permitting 911 to get you to agree to a 45 minute response time. STOP blaming everyone else for all that is wrong and corrupt. We are a community. Get involved, and STOP sitting back and waiting for some else to make your, my, and everyone else's life safer and better. Unfortunately, we in the USVI have become complacent with bitching and waiting for someone else to take a stand.

Our beloved Judge D'Eramo took that stand, and I can not bear to think that he gave up his life without a higher purpose. Be a part of his legacy, respect him for the sad choice he felt he needed to make, and get up and do something positive everyday to keep this tradgedy from happening to anyone else.

Honey, sugarpie, saucy,
you're preaching to the choir or a bunch of statesiders who make up 4% of the pop and for the most part are very involved. You need to be working the locals over not us, I have never met a more apathic society. So get busy.

100% this was not a suicide. I can't believe anyone was naive enough to believe that for a minute. You really believe he committed suicide the same day the witness died as well? I don't know what you 'think' you know but you're wrong. And just think how you are insulting this man's name who died in the line of duty for us. Should be ashamed.

Has it been confirmed that the guy who was killed was a witness? The Avis + DN so far have maintained that he was not. If he really was a witness, then the media is outright lying to the community. And that would be a true crime.

It has been confirmed that the death at JFK was NOT anyone related to the case in anyway. I heard this from someone directly involved in the case not just the media.

I am wondering now if any of us witnessed a crime would we come forward? I seriously would have to think twice about it. I know it would be my duty too but come on now..... how scary would it be???? The very person you would maybe have to testify against have
relatives in either the law enforcement or other seedy characters.

Yes we now have the crime stoppers and you can call and not leave name, but to bring this person to justice someone has to testify.

Do we just turn and walk away if we see some gunned down at sunny isle or down town? Could we be found hanging or shot the day before we were to go to court and face the criminals???

Can we now find good, fair judges to send these scum bags to jail???? A judge who is not afraid his family or himself will be threatened???

And also lawyers who will prosecute these guys that are now taking over our island.

I have lived here since the early 90's and i am getting more concerned everyday.

Lets all hope that the honorable judge is now in a great place looking over his kids and protecting them.

P.S. I don't for a minute think he committed suicide. (my opinion)

Bring back public execution,hire a Judge that is single with out a family. Remember you have a very deep Trench on the North shore and last but not least,3 can keep a secret, if 2 are dead . I can see it now,Retired Federal Agent while opening his Bar, shot a robbery suspect and now has to relocate his wife state side in fear of her life,business remains for sale and he has to look over his shoulder everywhere he goes. I suggest you write louder and more often to State side venues,the squeaky wheel gets the grease. Bitch more, speak often,demonstrate, make an ass out of your selves,but situations like this need to be noticed and brought to the front page everyday.

Never forget or surrender your right to bear arms. Take a class,get educated on self defense. Be honest with your self,do you have what it takes to defend your self if it came down to it. There are basically three kinds of people in this crazy world we live in and they can all be related to the Animal world. The Wolf,he or she could care less about you and only see you as prey. The Sheep, the Sheep will always be the victim of the Wolf. Last but not least,the Nobel Sheep Dog,he or she knows right from wrong and will always protect the Sheep from the Wolf.

I believe Jefferson wrote this. The Tree of liberty must be from time to time refreshed with the blood of Patriots and Tyrants,it is it's natural manure.

Life is one big choice,and when you are on your own,you decide if you will be a victim or not,you should not have to make that choice if all was right in the world but it is not. The choice is yours. I realize this is long winded and may not mean much to many of you,especially since I still only vacation there from time to time. If the Law fails you,what are you supposed to do ?

DON'T BE A VICTIM.

I am wondering now if any of us witnessed a crime would we come forward?

I did.

it makes it easier now with crimestoppers,i see drug deals downtown almost everyday but i'd be reluctant to run to a cop because alledgedly the cops are the ones bringing drugs and guns into the territory

Trade you witnessed a crime and had the guts to report??? what happened?

This island is starting to sound like the ole wild west. If a judge convicts then he is the one that could get the gallows . And i dont mean that in disrespect of the honorable judge.

Trade I would report it.

Nothing happened. I guess the case was dropped or never went to trial. Who knows? It was probably 6-7 years ago (I always have trouble remembering what happened when or how long ago since it's pretty much the same weather all the time, or maybe because I'm going senile. 😀 )

Intimidation, death threats, and actual attacks against judges and prosecutors happen. While I was in Chicago with the Bureau, notorious gangster hitman Harry Aleman was tried for murder. Despite several eyewitnesses to the shooting, Aleman was acquitted by a Chicago Judge (bench trial at request of Defendant Aleman). Later it was found that the Judge was both threatened (death to his family, and paid off with substantial sums of $). Later Aleman was retried and convicted for his crimes. Here is a link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harry_Aleman

Around four or five years ago, a state prosecutor here in Kentucky was killed when the Defendant (out on bail) came to the prosecutor's home and engaged the attorney in a gun battle. The prosecutor courageously defended his family (who were present) but was ultimately killed in the shootout, along with the bad guy. Really bad people have no qualms about doing whatever is necessary to avoid being prosecuted. The death of this judge in STX may just be a sad coincidence, but the view from my world would clearly suggest a close look needs to be taken.

One last thing. The FBI can generally find some basis for "federal" jurisdiction when it really wants to, regardless of the nature of the crime or where it happens.

Steve

First of all, I know nothing about this case except what I read in the papers and see on TV. But yesterday the TV was reporting that the family, based on a long, detailed suicide note, is satisfied this was a suicide. I guess sometimes a banana is just a banana.

wow, i hadnt heard about the suicide note, so sad

So i guess thats it then??? a note was written so the investigation stops? I still have funny feelings about this. Something just doesnt
feel right. But if family is satisfied then i guess we have to be too.

Still so sad. Bright future gone.

So much misinformation on this thread. So sad. Stop.