The Tribune

By SANCHESKA BROWN

Tribune Staff Reporter

sbrown@tribunemedia.net

THE JURY in the coroner’s inquest of Aaron Rolle found yesterday that his death was an “unlawful killing”.

After deliberating for nearly four hours, the four women and one man jury returned with the unlawful killing verdict, 4-1.

Acting Coroner Jeanine Weech-Gomez told the jury that if they found the force used against Aaron Rolle while in police custody was justifiable to return a verdict of lawful killing and if they found the force was unjustifiable to return a verdict of unlawful killing.

Rolle, 20, died at the Southern Police Station on February 8, hours after he was taken into custody for questioning in connection with an armed robbery and escape.

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

The interested parties, Police Constable 2126 Akiel Smith and Police Constable 2648 Carl Smith, testified that “force” was used on Rolle to restrain him after he attempted to escape police custody for the second time.

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

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

Coroner Weech Gomez said who Aaron Rolle was, how he died, when and where were all determined throughout the inquest and the jury was only to deliberate on by what means.

Now that the case is completed the Coroner will make recommendations to the Attorney General who decides if anyone will be charged and what the charges will be.

Aaron Rolle’s father, Godfrey Rolle, who attended all the proceedings said he is “happy” and can “finally get some sleep.”

He said: “I could sleep good at night now, I don’t have to worry about what police are doing or not doing. I am satisfied with the decision that they made and I thank my lawyer for doing a good job and I hope that it will give the police some kind of doubt that when they want to do this again they will think twice.”

When asked what he would like to see happen to the officers in question Mr Rolle said: “I don’t want to say those words.”

Elmer Miller, Aaron’s aunt, said she is pleased at the outcome and feels the lawyer did a great job and that justice was served.

Attorney Christina Galanos, who represented Rolle’s immediate family, said the jury’s verdict showed the members of the Royal Bahamas Police Force that if they cross the line, they will be held accountable.

“The wheels of justice are turning, but does not stop here. Justice demands that this matter be taken further to its just conclusion, which means that the guilty persons should pay their just dues to society just like everyone else. We look for the Office of the Attorney General to take the obvious and necessary steps to ensure that this matter is brought to its just conclusion. This is the only way that the Bahamian public could and would have confidence in the system,” she said.

“The immediate family of Aaron Rolle and I would like to go on record as saying that our assignment is not to commence and sustain a general attack against the police. We fully acknowledge that society cannot function without the Royal Bahamas Police Force and in that regard, we commend those honest and hardworking officers who sacrifice so much of themselves and put their lives on the line for our safety and protection. However the simple fact of the matter is that if we as a society ought to be safe and feel safe in police custody, all police officers must in turn consistently acknowledge and uphold our rights.”

Lennox Coleby, who represented the officers, said his clients are not happy with the outcome and maintain they did nothing wrong.

“The jury came back with a verdict of unlawful killing. In our case before the coroner’s court was that Aaron Rolle was injured before he came into custody and in that regard it is an unlawful killing and so we accept that. We also feel as though they were placed at a disadvantage when the Coroner failed to put to the jury an open verdict because if the jury accept that yes, there is sufficient  evidence before the court to show that Aaron was injured before coming into custody then  they are free to come with an open verdict because there is not telling who is responsible,” he said.

“My clients maintain that there was nothing that they did, when Aaron Rolle tried to escape police custody and the force that they used on him, was consistent with the law and they are satisfied that they have not injured him to the extent that he should die.”

The Coroner is expected to present her recommendations next Tuesday.