Two Americans plead not guilty to 2023 murder of Canadian couple in Dominica

Two United States nationals charged in connection with the 2023 killing of Canadian animation pioneer Daniel Langlois and his partner Dominique Marchand pleaded not guilty when they appeared in court on Tuesday in Dominica.

Jonathan Lehrer, 57, and 62-year-old Robert Snider Jr. entered their pleas before High Court Judge Sejilla McDowall.

During the hearing, defense counsel Tiyania Behanzin unsuccessfully attempted to prevent the indictment from being read to the accused. The defense argued that documents alleging “abuse of process” had already been filed on behalf of the men and that it would be improper to proceed with reading the charges.

However, the prosecution, led by Director of Public Prosecutions Sherma Dalrymple, objected, telling the court that the indictment had been properly filed and that there was no reason to delay reading the charges so the accused could enter their pleas.

Judge McDowall agreed with the prosecution and ruled that the indictment should be read and that the defendants be required to plead guilty or not guilty. The court, however, granted the defense time to properly file and serve its “abuse of process” application, which the prosecution will then be required to respond to.

Prosecutors allege that between November 29 and December 2, 2023, the two Americans murdered Langlois and Marchand. The couple’s bodies were later found in a burned vehicle near Gallion, Dominica, close to where they owned a resort. The pair had been reported missing for several days before the discovery.

The killings reportedly followed a long-standing dispute over access to a public road. Lehrer owned the 53-acre Bois Cotlette Inc. Estate adjacent to the couple’s eco-luxury resort, Coulibri Ridge.

The matter has been adjourned to May 1, 2026.