Now wife sues AG for his death in jail

Ironically it was Lisa Marlene Sheppard who had a warrant taken out for Ignatius "Shakes" Owen’s arrest in September 2004 for arrears of maintenance that were due to her. While in prison, Owen were allegedly assaulted and battered and died.

On Tuesday, Sheppard filed action in the San Fernando High Court seeking a declaration that his death was unconstitutional and that it was caused by the actions of police and breached Owen’s rights to be kept safe in prison.

In a statement of claim filed by attorney Narendra Lalbeharry, Sheppard stated that on September 23, 2004 Owen was arrested on a warrant at her behest, for unpaid arrears of maintenance. He was taken into custody and detained at the Tunapuna Police Station and subsequently taken to the Golden Grove Prison.

Sheppard claimed, however, that on the day of his death, Owen was unlawfully assaulted and battered while under the supervision of various prison officers at Golden Grove and police officers of the Tunapuna Police Station. He died as a result of the injuries sustained from the unlawful assault and battery by the prison officers and/or police officers.

In the writ Sheppard claimed she was the beneficiary of Owen’s estate. She also contended that prison officers failed to have enough regard to the gravity of the offence for which Owen was charged. They failed, Sheppard stated, "to treat him in a manner expected of a civilised society as regards citizens who are arrested for less serious or risky offences, in particular those that include no element of violent conduct."

Sheppard also claimed that the police and prison officers failed to adequately monitor the deceased while he was in custody, and failed to implement a system for arrested citizens who have sustained severe and potentially fatal injuries. She said Owen was battered by police and/or prison offices without any good or lawful reason.

Sheppard, who is the mother of Owen’s two children, was granted letters of administration in July 2005 and her writ filed on Tuesday is under the State Liability and Proceedings Act.

At the time of his death, Michael J Williams former president of the Senate and managing director of Century Eslon, in a letter to the editor published in Newsday on September 30, 2004, described his sadness, shock and anger at what he termed the murder of Owen.

He wrote at the time "Ignatius worked with me for 31 years. He came from a good and decent family in Acono and the whole village and his co-workers will testify that "‘Shakes’ could not harm a fly."

"Shakes was a master mechanic and handyman and would respond to any call for help at any hour of the day or night.

"He took care of his children to the best of his ability and did not deserve to die as he did. I will never believe that Shakes lifted a finger to hurt anyone or even to retaliate," Williams ended.