7 News Belize

Tyrone Meighan Alleges Brutality
posted (August 15, 2012)
The Meighan brothers of Banak Street - their names are in the news with great regularity; Tyrone and Ellis seem too often be in trouble with police - and that's when they aren't under threat from organized gangs.

Indeed, even though they are only teenagers, the brothers have been in and out of Family and Magistrate's Courts from as young as 13 years old.

But with all that bad rep, they have also had to learn to deal with sustained police harassment and intimidation.

Well, the family of Tyrone Meighan is complaining to the media that constant police presence has stepped up to police brutality - and, they say, threats of an execution.

Tyrone Meighan's mother, Shelly, spoke to 7News this morning and she told us that police officers went up to the prison and beat her son while he was in the cell.

Here's how she described what it's like when even the law enforcers are allegedly issuing threats against her entire family.

We did the interview at court where her son had been brought to court for an adjournment for Discharging a Firearm in Public and Aggravated Assault.

Shelly Meighan - Mother of Meighan Brothers
"Tyrone is in jail about going for 2 weeks now. What happened is that he was to appear in court yesterday, but they didn't bring him down, so they brought him down this morning. But I got a phone call to say that the GSU was up there last night, coming on to morning, and they beat my son. I understand that they go up there to conduct raids; I don't have a problem with that. But the reason why I'm here now is because my kids have been getting a lot of threats from the police telling them that they will execute them, even my baby that is 16. Every time that they meet them, they tell them that they will execute them. I don't have a problem with them doing their job. Tyrone is in jail. What is the excuse that they are going to give me now, that Tyrone was escaping in a cell? They beat him, and his mouth is swollen. He is not in a lot of pain, but I just want to make it known that I have noted what is happening. They have been coming around. Every time they came around, they made it known several times in front of me that they are going to execute my kids. It's not only the GSU; it's other police officers also. I want the public to know. My kids are not good; everybody knows that. They know Ellis Meighan and Tyrone Meighan; for years they have been dealing with them, but make the law take its course. There is a time and place for everything. Executing somebody and you are acting just like the criminals on the street. You're no better than them if every time you tell them that you're going to execute them. That won't stop the crime in Belize, because a next generation is going to come and do the same thing that they are doing. I live in fear every day, not only of the gang people, but also from police. One of these days when I am not at home, suppose they go there and say that my child resisted arrest and tried to shoot them or do them something? I always tell Tyrone. His mouth gets him in trouble because he doesn't listen. He reacts to everything. At the end of the day, I only can talk to Tyrone; he has a mind of his own. That's why I talk to them every day, and I tell them. But sometimes talking won't help because they are in too deep I would say, but I don't encourage them in doing those stuff."

The GSU, along with the K9 unit were at the prison between 11 last night and 2:00 this morning where they found 46 grammes of cannabis, just over 279 dollars, 3 cellular telephones and a SIM card.

And while Meighan showed us where he had a burst lip, Commander of the GSU, Marco Vidal today denied the charge.

He said that at no time was there any physical confrontation between the GSU and Tyrone Meighan. He adds though that quote, "during the operation Meighan openly vowed that immediately upon his release he will kill a police officer." End quote.

Home | Archives | Downloads/Podcasts | Advertise | Contact Us

7 News Belize