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Jamaican Died In Police Custody - Who’s to Blame?
posted (February 26, 2018)
Since yesterday, Assistant Commissioner of Police Chester Williams has been in Dangriga - investigating another death in police custody. This time, 44 year old Jamaican detainee Humphrey Mitchell allegedly jumped out of a moving pickup truck to his death on Saturday afternoon around 3:00.

No, we know you're saying - it sounds like the typical kind of police story - where a victim is turned into a perpetrator - or, in this case, a man with some kind of death-wish. Courtney Weatherburne went down to Dangriga to search for answers:

Courtney Weatherburne reporting
T&H Kool Spot - the name says it all. It is a popular joint in Sarawee Village known for its tasty fry chicken wings and fun and cozy atmosphere. But what drew people the most was the one of a kind owner - 44 year old Humphrey Mitchell.

But now Kool Spot's future is uncertain as Mitchell died over the weekend. It all started on Saturday afternoon around 3:00 when 3 police officers went to pick him up at his place on a committal warrant - Mitchel had outstanding court fees. His cousin says this case came about after a recent argument he had with another man.

Nekesha Pratt, Cousin
"The court case was a personal issue he had here. Somebody didn't pay him his money. Apparently the person was facey enough to come at the property, buy drinks and didn't want to pay and so he retaliate because he was angry of waiting for his money and he broke a glass and a window and he had to pay for that."

Courtney Weatherburne, reporter
"The other guy reported the incident?"

Nekesha Pratt, Cousin
"The other guy went ahead and reported the incident saying that Humphrey was threatening him and I guess it's who reports first got the benefit of the doubt. That's what happened."

Courtney Weatherburne, reporter
"And so Humphreys was ordered to pay how much?"

Nekesha Pratt, Cousin
"I believe it was a little bit over $600 and he agreed to pay the fine and he made an agreement to pay it in instalments."

Courtney Weatherburne, reporter
"So when they came to pick him up Saturday he had only $80 left to pay right?"

Nekesha Pratt, Cousin
"Yes, the balance is only $80 left to pay."

So as the officers were heading to the Dangriga police station along with Humphrey in the pan of the truck, Humphrey allegedly jumped out trying to escape. His head slammed unto the pavement. Now ACP Chester Williams, Commander of the Professional Standard Branch is called upon again to investigate Mitchel's death.

ACP Chester Williams, Professional Standards Branch, Commander
"According to the police officers on their way back from Sarawee Village, reaching mile 3 on the curve that is there. The individual jumped out of the vehicle with a view to escape and apparently he did not clear the vehicle well and he didn't jump as far as he wanted to and he landed on his head on the pavement and that caused him severe injuries. As a result he succumb later at the Southern Regional Hospital."

"Now I will tell you that from investigations yes, it would appear to us at time that the individual did in fact jumped out of the vehicle. Whether or not it could have been averted, the answer to that is surely yes. And those are things that I am looking into. One, per say, there were only 3 police officers in the vehicle with the one individual. I really and truly did not see the need for them to have put him at the back a long with one officer. I believe there were sufficient space in the can area of the vehicle for the individual to have been transported to Dangriga in the front of the vehicle. Meaning the back seat and he could have been placed between 2 officers. So in that instance I believe that there is some negligence on the part of the police officers that they will need to answer to and we are looking at that to see how we progress with the investigation. I have inspected the body at the morgue. I spoke to the doctors who attended to him when he arrived and there is no signs of injuries to suggest that he was being beaten prior to, but further information will be gathered when the post mortem is conducted hopefully today or tomorrow."

While Williams investigates this case, Mitchel's cousin is still skeptical about this incident.

Courtney Weatherburne, reporter
"What was your initial response when you heard that he jumped out of the truck?"

Nekesha Pratt, Cousin
"First thing come to my mind was 'never.' We spoke on Thursday about him going out of the country. He was excited to go back to see his children. He was happy. Somebody who showed me excitement on Thursday and try to kill himself on Saturday - you put question mark on that. So it's really hard for me to even digest that."

"The location that they had pointed out where he jumped out, I wouldn't even see that as a place to jump out, because there are barriers on the road. He knows this road. He worked on this road when they were paving. So if he knew where to jump, it certainly won't be that area."

But regardless of what the investigation reveals, Mitchel will definitely be missed in the community.

Derrington Ramirez, Chairman, Sarewee Village
"The guy came around here. He seems like a very nice guy. We never had any problems with anyone around here as far as I know in the community and I personally use to hang out with him a lot. He loved fishing. So we go fishing a lot. We hang out. As far as I know Humphrey was a great guy."

Brian Lamb, Friend
"He uplifted his business and he had a house that he was building in Dangriga and he was happy because his female companion was coming to Belize to visit and help him."

Humphreys has 5 children in England - and they will most likely take his body to Jamaica for burial.

Williams says this situation could have been avoided if Mitchell had been put inside the vehicle with the three police officers - instead he was left in the pan with one officer and not handcuffed. Another important note is that the camera in the police truck which should be on at all times - was disconnected and did not capture anything. Williams will be looking at both angles in his investigation.

A post mortem examination will show if he died from the wounds sustained in the accident.

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