The Tribune

By SANCHESKA BROWN

Tribune Staff Reporter

sbrown@tribunemedia.net

POLICE did not take Aaron Rolle to hospital after arresting him – even though something seemed to be wrong with the suspect, an arresting officer testified in Coroner’s Court yesterday.

Inspector Greenslade told the five-member jury that when he encountered and detained Rolle, he had a “foul odour emanating from his body” and appeared to be in great pain.

When asked why the suspect was not given medical attention, the officer said Rolle never asked for any.

The inquest into the death of Aaron Rolle while in police custody earlier this year began yesterday with testimony from Insp Greenslade, the victim’s father and the crime scene manager.

Rolle, 20, died 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 report later concluded that he died from haemorrhaging and a ruptured intestine, caused by blunt force trauma to the chest.

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.

The inquest was scheduled to begin at 10am, but due to a series of delays – including the inability to locate several jurors – it did not begin until 3pm. However shortly after the court was called to order a fire alarm mysteriously went off prompting another 20 minute delay.

Insp Greenslade said he went to the Rolle home on February 8 and discovered the suspect asleep.

He said he woke him and told him he was being arrested for escape as well as a series of other charges.

Insp Greenslade said Rolle, who is usually “more sprightly and aggressive”, was very sluggish and slow moving.

He said the suspect got up very slowly and when he was asked to put his hands behind his back to be handcuffed, Aaron placed his left hand behind his back but did not move his right hand.

Insp Greenslade said he asked Rolle what was wrong and he replied: “My hand hurting.”

Eventually, Greenslade said Rolle put both hands behind his back and was put into the police vehicle and taken to the Southern Police Station.

When they arrived, Greenslade said Aaron’s odour was so strong it prompted an inspector to ask him if he was “deteriorating.”

He said Rolle appeared to be “very painful” but did not ask for any help.

Ms Galanos asked Mr Greenslade why Rolle was not taken to hospital if he was in so much pain and he said: “He did not complain, can’t force no one to go to the hospital.”

Ms Galanos also asked why he did not handcuff Rolle on the front rather than the back if his “hand was hurting” and Greenslade said “it was not policy to do so.”

Greenslade also testified that he had known Aaron for more than four years and he knew something was wrong because the Aaron he knew “would have tried to evade police, but he showed no aggression.”

He said he handed Rolle over to officers at the Southern Police Station and then left.

Aaron’s father, Godfrey Rolle, also testified. He said as far as he knew his son was in good heath. However, he admitted that he had not seen or spoken with Aaron since October of 2012, because “he was on the run.”

Mr Rolle said he was also asleep at the time that his son was arrested at his Ross Corner residence and did not see when or how the police took him into custody. He described Aaron as “humble” and not “biggety”.

When asked by Mr Olander if Aaron was the type to fight back if provoked, Mr Rolle said: “If you attack him, he would run. He is the scary type.” Mr Rolle said he did not visit his son while he was at the Southern Police Station, but, he said, the last time he saw him he was “healthy.”

Crime Scene Manager,  Inspector Alfred Dean was the first witness to take the stand. Inspector Dean testified that he was called to the Southern Police Station around 8am on the day Rolle died, to photograph the crime scene as well as the deceased. He said when he arrived he was instructed by an officer to go to Cell Block 3. It was there, he said, he saw the body of a dark male dressed in an aqua coloured shirt, black pants and a pair of grey and purple tennis. He was lying on his back.

He took pictures of the deceased as well as the cell block, the corridors leading to the cell as well as the outside of the Southern Police Station.

The jury was shown 13 photographs taken by Inspector Dean, including pictures he took at the Coroner’s office the day after Aaron died.

The inquest is expected to continue at 2pm today. P/C Officer 2126 Smith and 2648 Smith, the officers who were at the station at the time of Aaron’s death, are expected to testify.

The coroner’s court does not determine guilt or make any findings or suggestion of criminal, civil, or disciplinary liability on a person.

The role of the court is to determine who the deceased was, how the deceased died, when, where and by what means.

After the court is completed a copy of the findings will be given to the Attorney General who decides how the matter will go from there.