Another prisoner dies in police custody

A  Carapichaima man, who was arrested for throwing an object over the walls of the Port-of-Spain Prison on Sunday, was pronounced dead at the Port-of-Spain General Hospital after complaining of chest pains. Reports revealed that around 12.30 pm on Sunday, Noel Stanley, 28, of Bank Village in Carapichaima, reportedly threw something over the prison wall. He was held by prison officers and later handed over to officers of the Port-of-Spain CID. While being questioned at the Port-of-Spain CID, Stanley complained of chest pains and was taken to the Port-of-Spain General Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

An autopsy carried out yesterday at the Forensic Science Centre by Dr Eastlyn McDonald Borris revealed that death was inconclusive, but further tests carried out revealed that Stanley had internal injuries. Stanley’s relatives questioned the circumstances surrounding his death. Stanley is the second prisoner to die  in police custody between Saturday and Sunday. Investigators told Newsday that a report on Stanley’s death would be sent to the Clerk of the Peace. Senior officers at the Port-of-Spain CID told Newsday that based on the findings of the autopsy, an investigation will be launched into the death. Officers of the Belmont Police Station and the Anti-Kidnapping Squad who interviewed Stanley have been asked to submit reports to the head of the Port-of-Spain CID.