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Man accused of fatal stabbing of father must receive medication for sickle cell anemia

By PAVEL BAILEY

Tribune Staff Reporter

pbailey@tribunemedia.net

A 26-YEAR-OLD American man suffering from sickle cell anaemia must receive medical attention in prison after he was remanded over the weekend for the year’s first murder.

Mario Cash Jr once again appeared before Acting Chief Magistrate Roberto Reckley after he was arraigned last Friday for killing his father.

Cash Jr allegedly stabbed his father, Mario Cash Sr, at his residence in western New Providence on New Year’s Day.

During his initial arraignment, Ian Cargill, Cash Jr’s attorney, claimed that his client was denied medication for his sickle cell and high blood pressure following his arrest.

The lawyer advised a US Embassy representative of the alleged denial of his client’s constitutional right to have his attorney present during an interview and the problems he was having getting his medication.

Mr Cargill also made a court request for the defendant’s relatives to access his father’s residence to retrieve the documentation necessary to get him bail.

Cash Jr told the magistrate in his latest court appearance that his family has yet to receive his passport and other documentation.

He said he had suffered a sickle cell crisis on remand at the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services (BDCS) last Saturday. He also said that the prison was unable to fulfil his prescriptions for pretax, hydra and oxycodone. Cash Jr further claimed that he was denied access to water for over 24 hours before his court appearance.

Cash Jr told the magistrate that he was still shaking from the pain of not having his medication.

Mr Cargill requested that his client be taken to the hospital to renew his prescriptions, which expired in the four months he was in The Bahamas. He also said the defendant spoke with a US Embassy representative before coming to court.

Magistrate Reckley informed the defendant that the keys to his father’s residence had been given to his uncle Darron Cash.

Following a communique with the prison, prosecutor Superintendent Davis told the defence that BDCS can treat sickle cell. He also said that the prison can furnish all of Cash Jr’s medication and that a generic form of oxycodone is available.

As such, Cash Jr was expected to be sent to the prison’s medical unit after his court date and is expected to return to court on January 15.

Before being remanded to prison again, the defendant was allowed a moment with his two aunts in court. He sent a heart sign to his family as he was taken back into custody.

The voluntary bill of indictment transferring Cash Jr’s matter to the Supreme Court is set for service on April 25.

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