Man dies of illness while in police custody

Personnel at the Hunts Bay Police Station in St Andrew are asserting that they are not to be blamed for the death of 54 year old inmate, Dudley Davis. Mr Davis, who was awaiting trial for fraud, died in custody on Saturday.

Senior Superintendent Richard Stewart, Head of  the St Andrew South police division, told RJR News that Mr. Davis died of an illness.

"The doctors diagnosed him as having a heart problem. It was apparent that he was ill and on August 10 he was sent to the Kingston Public Hospital," he explained.

Davis was hospitalised for three days, before being discharged on August 13, he revealed.

But according to Superintendent Stewart, it was clear that Davis was still not well, upon his return to the station, as a result of which he was removed from his cell and placed in the most comfortable accommodation available at the station.

He said relatives and friends of Mr Davis were contacted to bail him, but they were unable to meet the conditions set (by the court) for bail.

The police therefore were making arrangements for him to be transferred to Horizon Adult Remand Centre, "where the facilities for convalecence are far better." He died, however, before the arrangements for transfer were completed.

Mr Davis' death, while in the custody of the police, came a week after labourer Mario Deane died in hospital from a beating he received at the Barnett Street lock-up in Montego Bay.

Attorney

Reacting to news of the death of Mr. Davis, Attorney at law Clyde Williams told RJR News that, given the information provided by the police about the steps taken, it would appear that "in all the circumstances, the police did all they could," at the station.

The police could not override the instructions of the court regarding bail conditions, he stressed.

"What we don't know is what would have been the requirements for taking him to Horizon and whether those steps were too long and and overly bureaucratic," Mr. Williams added.

Regarding conditions for keeping detainees who are unwell, Mr. Williams said there is no purpose-built police facility anywhere in Jamaica for that purpose.