Antigua's PM Commends Police For Quick Arrest in Asot Michael Murder
ST JOHN’S, Antigua – Prime Minister Gaston Browne has praised the quick work of police in apprehending the person who is believed to be responsible for the stabbing death of parliamentarian Asot Michael.
Alexta Francis has been charged with Asot Michael’s murder. (STRATCOM Antigua)Speaking on his weekly radio show on Pointe FM on Saturday, shortly before police confirmed the arrest of 26-year-old Alexta Francis, Browne said: “Law enforcement must be commended for this quick apprehension of this individual, and we want to thank those in the public space who have provided the intelligence that led to the arrest of this individual.”
Francis is expected to appear in court on Monday. According to a police statement, he was taken into custody by police late last Friday evening.
Michael was found dead in a pool of a blood in his home last Tuesday morning.
Media reports indicated that Francis confessed to the crime and provided police with key pieces of evidence to support his confession.
“I’m sure [police are] gonna to explore further to determine whether he had any help or whether any other person participated in this homicide, but I think it’s a very good development from the standpoint that the government would have indicated to law enforcement that we should utilise all resources,” Browne said.
“And I want to make the point that this is for all homicides but you have to understand when you have a former parliamentarian life’s being stuffed out in such a way, it is even more shocking than an ordinary person, and it requires all the efforts necessary to bring the persons to justice.”
Reiterating that he was not suggesting any life was worth more than another, the prime minister said one must consider the impact that certain murders would have on the country’s reputation.
He said it was important to “eliminate the unnecessary suspicions”.
“Because when you look at the others that are unsolved . . . at least they don’t carry the same level of baseless speculation as in the case where you have a politician, someone who is involved in partisan politics. So I am very pleased that at least they have they have the culprit and the culprit is now cooperating with police…. We’re just looking now for justice to be served,” Browne said.
In the statement announcing Francis’ arrest, Commissioner of Police commended his officers for their diligence and professionalism in handling the matter and thanked the public for their cooperation in the investigation.
