ANTIGUA | Man Charged with Asot Michael's Murder Remanded in Custody

ST. JOHNS, Antigua, November 11, 2024 - 26 Year old Alexta Francis of Golden Grove who has been charged with the murder of former parliamentarian and representative for the St. Peter Constituency , Asot Michael, has been remanded in custody to appear again on February 5.

Francis was arraigned in an unusually early court session wnich ended prior to the court’s starting time of 9:00 am.

Francis, who was taken into custody on friday, was arrested on Saturday, after Michael was found stabbed to death on Tuesday morning in a corridor in his Dry Hill home.by one of his maids.

A massive drag-net was launched for the killer involving Antiguan, Regional and Scotland Yard crime investigators resulting in the arrest of Francis who it is said confessed to the killing.

The 54-year-old Michael had carved out a unique position in Antiguan politics, becoming the first independent candidate to win a parliamentary seat after serving nearly two decades under the Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party (ABLP) banner. His political career was marked by both significant achievements and controversy.

Before his independent stance, Michael held the prestigious position of Minister of Tourism, Economic Development, Investment, and Energy under Prime Minister Gaston Browne's administration. His contributions to the tourism sector earned him the Caribbean Journal's Best Tourism Minister Award in 2016.

Born on December 21, 1969, in Guadeloupe, French West Indies, Michael emerged from a family deeply rooted in business and politics. He built his foundation with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Barry University and later earned an MBA from the University of Miami, before returning to Antigua to join his family's business operations.

His political journey began in earnest in 1995 when he served as Special Administrative Assistant to then-Prime Minister Lester Bird, eventually rising to become Chief of Staff. Michael's ascent continued with appointments as a Government Senator and later as a cabinet minister handling various portfolios. In 2004, he secured his first election to the House of Representatives, maintaining his seat through subsequent elections.

However, Michael's career faced significant challenges. In 2017, he was detained at London's Heathrow Airport regarding allegations involving a British investor. While Michael maintained his innocence, the incident led to a temporary suspension from his ministerial duties.

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