Relatives of prisoner found dead in cell insist - Lewis did not commit suicide

Relatives of Gerard Lewis, the prisoner who was found dead in a cell at the San Juan Police Station on Saturday, insisted yesterday that he did not commit suicide.

They are of the view that he was beaten to death, but a post mortem which was scheduled for yesterday was postponed to today because the mother of the dead man, who lives in Canada will arrive in the country today to identify the body. She asked the police yesterday to delay the post mortem until her arrival today. Gillian Garraway, a relative of the dead man insisted yesterday that Lewis was not a bandit nor a car thief. Newsday learned that Lewis never lived in one place and sometimes stayed at the home of his sister at Prizgar Lands, Laventill and at her home in Maloney. At the Forensic Science Centre yesterday, Garraway was allowed to view the body of Lewis. She said that she saw what appeared to be a mark around the neck of her cousin. Garraway added that the jersey which the police claimed Lewis used to hang himself at the cell of the station did not appear to be stretched. She revealed that her 25-year-old relative was never a suicidal person and loved his family very much.

The last time that she saw him alive was on Friday when he visited her and limed with her husband. She said that Lewis was also looking forward to seeing his mother who lives in Canada. Police officers said yesterday that Lewis was arrested on Saturday after he robbed a taxi-driver and two passengers. Reports revealed that around 11.15 am on Saturday, taxi-driver Gabriel Mejias was plying his taxi for hire, when Lewis asked to be taken to Alberto Street, St Joseph. On reaching Alberto Street, Lewis pointed a gun at Mejias and robbed him and two other passengers of cash. He then ordered them out of the vehicle and escaped in the car. A report was made to the San Juan Police and an All Points Bulletin was sent out to all police stations. Around 11.30 am, the car was seen in San Juan and Lewis was arrested. A .38 revolver was found in his possession.

Lewis was supposed to be placed on identification parades for other offences on Saturday but he complained of feeling unwell. Officers at the charge room at the San Juan Police Station claimed that Lewis was last seen alive at 1 pm. At 2 pm when they made a check, they saw him hanging from the ceiling at the cell. Newsday learned that during the day, police officers are required to make a check on prisoners in the cell block every hour and an entry is made in the diary. At nights they are required to make a check every half an hour and record their observations in the diary. Newsday learned that the mother of the dead man is expected to return to the country today and she has asked that a probe be launched into the death of her son. Police records revealed that Lewis had a matter pending in court for marijuana possession.