Philipsburg:---- Front Street and Court House Alley was like a mini circus this morning as several people from the community and the media gathered to capture the photograph of Commissioner Louie Laveist when he appeared before the judge of instruction. Laviest dressed in his white shirt jack and black pants tried to trick the media when he managed to convince the Federal Detectives to walk him through the front entrance of the court house instead of the side door which is used for prisoners. The federal detectives used a car carrying French number plates to transport the commissioner in an attempt to evade the public.
This of course did not sit well with the media especially photo journalist Gromyko Wilson who was told by one of the Dutch detectives not to take the photograph. The commissioner arrived at the court house unshackled and it was obvious he was getting some privileged treatment since he is a public figure.
Laveist spent almost two hours in the court house and when he finally exited he was full of smiles and sending off kisses to members of the media who called out to him. The commissioner also waived to his relatives and his wife Betty Laveist who was also outside waiting to see him off. Obviously disappointed when Attorney at Law Jairo Bloem told Mrs. Laveist that her husband will remain in custody as the judge upheld the request of the Prosecution.
In an invited comment Chief Prosecutor of the Windward Islands Taco Stein confirmed that Laveist will remain in custody for the next eight days. Asked if he would send to Curacao Stein said definitely not since they are still busy with the investigation. "Sending him to Curacao would be an impractical thing to do since we would have to transport him back and forth to continue the investigation". Laviest will be held in the sick cell of the Pointe Blanche Prison.
On another note, the Prosecutor's Office has released the former executive assistant to the commissioner Roberto Richardson who was also held on Wednesday for questioning since the commissioner is a suspect in forgery. Richardson was released at 2pm today.
