The police officer Samine Francesse Ravelain, from the 27th promotion of the National Police of Haiti (PNH), was found not guilty on Wednesday, July 29, 2026 by the criminal court of Port-au-Prince sitting with jury assistance. She was prosecuted in connection with the death of her husband, Fritz Gérald Junior Rivière, an agent of the Departmental Law Enforcement Unit (UDMO).
According to the investigation of the Central Directorate of the Judicial Police (DCPJ), the events occurred on 12 December 2022 in Cité Militaire. During the trial, Fritz Gérald Junior Rivière's mother defended the thesis of suicide. She referred to her son's violent behaviour, the troubles he was suffering from, and a previous incident in which he attempted to shoot himself. Present at the scene at the time of the events, with his child in his arms, Samine Francesse Ravelain claimed to have only heard a detonation.
After more than three years of pre-trial detention, the accused appeared before the sitting court and pleaded not guilty. At the conclusion of the proceedings, the jury pronounced its acquittal, resulting in his release. The defence lawyers considered that this trial constituted a « X-ray » the Haitian judicial system and police community. They also called on the authorities to strengthen the psychological support of police officers and to review certain trainings in order to improve their relations with the population.
