Former Commander of Dominica Troops Hanged for Murder
A former commander of the now-disbanded Dominica Defense Force, Frederick Newton, was hanged Friday for the murder of a police constable during an attack on police headquarters in this tiny Caribbean island republic nearly five years ago.
The execution, which took place at the state prison outside Roseau, was Dominica’s first in 13 years.
Newton, 35, was sentenced for his part in a November, 1981, attack on police headquarters aimed at releasing a number of prisoners, including former Prime Minister Patrick John.
John was in jail on charges of conspiring in April, 1981, to overthrow the government of Prime Minister Eugenia Charles.
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