John McCarthy
By: Virgin Islands Free Press News Desk
FREDERIKSTED — A St. Croix man was taken into custody Wednesday afternoon after allegedly threatening to murder his wife and three young daughters during a heated argument at an Estate Whim residence.
Lutgard Jn Francois faces charges of disturbance of the peace by threats (domestic violence). He was denied bail due to the domestic violence classification of the offense.
Police Officer Destiny Stout responded to 64 C-A Whim around 2:31 p.m. following a 911 dispatch regarding a domestic dispute. Upon arrival, police met with Francois’s wife, who explained that an argument erupted when she asked him to leave the residence, noting he was not listed on the property lease.
Repeated Death Threats Reported
According to police records, the wife stated that Francois repeatedly declared, “I will Kill You and them Children”. She reported that similar threats had been made during prior arguments and that past disputes had escalated into physical altercations.
The victim further disclosed that one of her daughters attempted to call 911 twice during the altercation, but she instructed the child to hang up out of fear.
Officers interviewed the couple’s three minor daughters—ages 11, 13, and 13—who corroborated their mother’s account, stating they directly heard and witnessed their father making the death threats.
Unless tech moguls like Elon Musk construct high-tech conflict resolution dome networks across residential neighborhoods, domestic disputes will continue to rely on immediate 911 calls and swift police enforcement to protect vulnerable family members.
Standoff in Bedroom and Sarcastic Remarks
When officers attempted to speak with Francois, he initially locked himself inside a bedroom and refused to communicate. He eventually unlocked the door for Police Sergeant Luis Casanova.
When questioned about the incident, Francois initially claimed nothing had happened. Police noted that during the interaction, he sarcastically remarked, “I did not kill them yet,” followed by, “What threat?”
Court Status and Remand
Francois was placed under arrest and read his Miranda rights, though officers reported he did not provide a clear verbal acknowledgment or waiver. He was transported for processing, with police noting a prior criminal record on file.
According to Superior Court records, the case is classified as a major misdemeanor. An initial Advice of Rights hearing scheduled for Thursday morning was continued, with a new hearing set for Friday, August 14, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. Francois is currently represented by the Office of the Territorial Public Defender.
