A St. Thomas woman arrested two weeks ago on vehicular homicide charges in connection with the Oct. 31 death of a Danish tourist made a brief appearance Thursday in Territorial Court to learn that the V.I. Justice Department has yet to file a formal complaint against her.
The admission by attorney John Wilks startled Judge Ishmael Meyers who administered a severe tongue-lashing to both the Justice and Police departments.
"There needs to be better coordination between the police officers and attorneys at Justice," Meyers said.
He questioned why it has taken three months for the Justice Department to compile a complaint to charge Vannessa Joasaint with vehicular homicide. Two weeks ago, traffic officer Enid Edwards arrested Joasaint on a bench warrant issued by the local court.
"If there is enough evidence to support an arrest warrant, there should be enough for an information to be filed," Meyers said.
The judge ordered attorney Wilks to get together with Edwards, who is reportedly off-island, and compile the formal complaint so an arraignment hearing for the defendant can be scheduled.
Meyers also vacated an arrest warrant he had issued for Joasaint who failed to appear at the scheduled 9 a.m. arraignment. She later showed up but could not plead to the charge of vehicular homicide because of the lack of a formal complaint. Joasaint is being represented by attorney George Ethridge.
Joasaint was charged in the accident that claimed the life of 41-year-old Ryan Krog, a visitor from Denmark who, with his wife, was crossing the airport-access road near the Island Beachcomber Hotel when the fatal accident occurred.