The Tribune

By KHRISNA VIRGIL

Tribune Staff Reporter

kvirgil@tribunemedia.net

ATTORNEY General Allyson Maynard-Gibson has ordered a full progress report from Department of Public Prosecutions officials over the unlawful killing of Aaron Rolle while in police custody more than a year ago.

Mrs Maynard-Gibson told reporters yesterday that the briefing was expected to suggest whether prosecutors intended to levy charges against the officers involved in the incident.

Rolle’s death was once again reignited after questions were put to National Security Minister Dr Bernard Nottage by The Tribune during a live press conference with Cabinet Ministers last week.

She said: “I have just asked the Acting Director of Public Prosecutions to report to me on the matter and I expect to have some news on that today or tomorrow where the progress is.”

Last week Dr Nottage said that he could not speak on the matter, but that he was aware of the relationship between the police and communities, including the complaints which are made regarding the conduct of policemen.

On May 7, 2013, a jury consisting of four women and one man concluded that force used against Rolle by police while in custody was unjustifiable. Rolle who was 20 at the time, died at the Southern Police Station on February 8. His death came hours after he was taken into custody for questioning related to armed robbery and escape.

A pathology report later found that Rolle died from haemorrhaging and a ruptured intestine, caused by blunt force trauma to the chest.

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 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.

In June last year Mrs Maynard-Gibson insisted that her office was working diligently on the case. She told The Tribune then that her team had received the court’s recommendations and was “working as hard as we can to make sure the public feels expedition”.