Haiti "Papa Jere"

By John Moody

Despite the sweltering heat, curious crowds of reporters packed the pink courtroom in Port-au-Prince day after day. Armed soldiers in steel helmets surrounded the defendant, who sat erect, dressed in a business suit, seemingly impervious to both the temperature and the allegations against him. Retired Army Colonel Samuel Jeremie, 52, who was once a close aide to former President-for-Life Jean-Claude ("Baby Doc") Duvalier, had been charged with two counts of murder, each punishable by ten years in prison. He was also accused of military misconduct, a crime under Haitian law that could lead to an additional 15-year sentence.

Haiti's ruling National Council of Government, which took power after Duvalier fled with his family to France last February, vowed to prosecute Baby Doc's henchmen who had abused their power. The decision to bring Jeremie to trial now has bolstered the council's credibility at a time when it desperately needs public support. Says Justice Minister Francois Latortue: "Those who committed crimes now know that justice will strike them."

Ever since the military court convened on May 5, the proceedings have been broadcast live over Haitian television and radio. At first Jeremie laughed easily and shook his head in disbelief as evidence against him was presented. But his demeanor darkened noticeably during testimony about his role in breaking up an anti-Duvalier demonstration near Leogane, a town 28 miles southwest of the capital, a week before Baby Doc left. The military prosecutor charged that Jeremie had led two Jeep loads of Tonton Macoutes, Duvalier's hated secret police, who had opened fire on the crowd. The government contends that five persons were killed and 17 wounded in the demonstration. Others believe more than 100 persons died.

One army adjutant told the court that he saw Jeremie kill an eight-year-old boy by striking him in the temple with the butt of his pistol. Choking back tears, the defendant protested: "I couldn't hurt a child. They call me 'Papa Jere' in Leogane." Another witness stripped off his shirt in court to exhibit six bullet wounds he suffered in the demonstration. "Jeremie says he is everybody's father," he snapped. "When did you hear of a father shooting his son? He shot at all of us."

By staging the trial now, Council President Lieut. General Henri Namphy hopes to convince his country that its new leaders are working hard to correct the abuses of the Duvalier era. "If anyone feels they have been cheated or hurt," Namphy told TIME, "let them go before the police and justice department. We are not here for revenge, but for justice, and justice for all." Namphy defended the cautious pace of reform, as well as his reluctance to set a date for promised civilian elections. Said he: "We have to give the people an education so they may consciously vote for their leader, not as they did in the past. When we have freedom of speech, freedom of the press, free unions and a real civil service, we will hold elections, starting with sheriff. If the base is not solid, you cannot build on it." His philosophy of slow, sure progress in restoring Haiti's institutions may not be a crowd pleaser, but if consistently and fairly applied, it may be just the medicine that the ailing country needs.

With reporting by Bernard Diederich/Port-au-Prince