Queen’s Counsel Michael Lashley wants a full investigation by an independent body into the death of Colin MacDonald Greene.
The 43-year-old Greene, of Chalky Mount, St Andrew, was found hanging in a prisoner’s cell at the Holetown Police Station on Saturday.
Lashley told Barbados TODAY he had been retained by the deceased man’s family in association with attorneys-at-law Simon Clarke, Sade Harris, Ken Mason and Kimberly Gollop.
He said the legal team would do everything in its power to ensure Greene’s death was not in vain and justice was served.
“The family contacted me about his death in the police station and I have decided to start the ball rolling by asking for the names of all the police officers who were on duty that night. I have also requested the station diary and medical journal.
“Further, I am asking the Commissioner of Police to have an immediate investigation into the matter but we are prepared to go to court to bring justice for his family. In the interest of justice this matter should be dealt with by an independent body so that there would be transparency but I intend to take this matter to its end to ensure there is justice for the family,” the Queen’s Counsel said.
According to a statement issued yesterday by the Royal Barbados Police Force, Greene’s unresponsive body was discovered around midnight as police were making their routine checks on suspects in the station’s custody.
“On the officers’ initial discovery, checks for a sign of life were made and none was found, a medical doctor was immediately summoned and after his examination, he [was] pronounced [dead],” the statement added.
Lashley said from instructions received, Greene suffered from no illnesses before he went into police custody.
He maintained that this was an opportunity for new Commissioner of Police Richard Boyce to show his mettle.
The attorney suggested that if police brutality was found to have taken place then those officers involved should feel the full weight of the law.
In an interview with Barbados TODAY yesterday, family members claimed they received a chilling message from Greene in the hours before his death in which he claimed he feared for his personal safety.
“I hope the new commissioner will use this case to stamp his authority. We must look at safeguarding suspects while they are in police custody. One is innocent until proven guilty,” Lashley said.
“This is a very serious matter and of course we have to wipe out any allegations or where there is police brutality we have to wipe it out.”
Another Queen’s Counsel, Andrew Pilgrim told Barbados TODAY police had to take some responsibility for Greene’s death.
He contended that police ought to have taken the usual steps of removing anything that suspects could use to hang themselves while in custody.
Pilgrim also called for cameras to be placed in the “bulk of the cell area” except for the bathroom.
“To say they should take full responsibility is somewhat harsh but if you take this person into your custody and they are well when they leave home, not suicidal, they don’t have any conditions that we know of then you have to do all in your power to ensure that nothing like this happens,” Pilgrim said.
randybennett@barbadostoday.bb
