The Tribune

By SANCHESKA BROWN

Tribune Staff Reporter

sbrown@tribunemedia.net

THE HAITIAN man who was in the holding cell with Aaron Rolle at the Southern Police Station was deported a week after Rolle’s death, the Coroner’s Court was told yesterday.

Marvin Hanna, a Immigration officer, testified yesterday that the man, who was picked up for illegally being in the country, was repatriated on February 22.

Rolle, 20, died as a result of blunt force trauma at the Southern Police Station on February 8, hours after he was taken into custody for questioning in relation to armed robbery and escape allegations.

A pathologist’s report said he died from haemorrhaging and a ruptured intestine. He also had two broken ribs, bleeding in the bowel and contusions on his lower back, shoulder blade and left clavicle.

Acting Coroner Jeanine Weech-Gomez is overseeing the inquiry. Attorney Christina Galanos is representing Rolle’s immediate family and Wellington Olander is representing the officers.

Mr Hanna said the Haitian man was held at the Detention Centre and then transported to Haiti on a Bahamasair Flight. He said no one in Immigration has been in contact with him since.

When asked by Ms Galanos if it is usually the practice to repatriate illegal immigrants so quickly, Mr Hanna said the process could take anywhere from “one day to as long as three years”.

The court had hoped to hear from the man, as he was the last person to see Rolle alive.

On Wednesday, Cordero Munroe, a fellow detainee at the Southern Police Station, said the immigrant alerted police to Rolle’s failing health and also complained that Rolle’s vomiting was “stinking up the cell.”

Sergeant 596 Shevard Bain was recalled to the witness stand. Bain testified that he was the supervisor of the Inquiries Section at the time Rolle was brought in for questioning.

He also said he had prepared the initial wanted poster for Rolle when he escaped in October and took his mug shots on February 7.

Bain said at the time he took the photos of Rolle, he seemed to be “suffering” and his health had deteriorated from the last time he saw the detainee in October of last year.

He said he did not take Rolle to the hospital when he learned of an altercation Rolle had with officers earlier that day, because Rolle never complained, was not bleeding and did not have any visible injuries.

He also said Rolle did not have a limp and was walking normally when he photographed him.

The court is expected to hear from one more witness and then closing arguments are expected to be heard on April 22.