The investigation into the July 24 deadly jailbreak will require more time than expected as it is a more intricate investigation than police first thought. This is according to acting Commissioner of Police Stephen Williams, who spoke to the media at the Queen’s Park Savannah, following the ninth walk against domestic violence through the streets of Belmont.
Questioned about the status of the investigations, Williams said: “The investigation as projected by DCP (Glenn) Hackett will take a little more time than expected. It is extensive and out of that it will not be limited to criminal investigation as it will expose the entire system operating out of the prison service.”
On July 24, prisoners Allan “Scanny” Martin, Hassan Atwell along with Christopher “Monster” Selby, bolted from the Frederick Street jail. PC Sherman Maynard was killed during their escape. He was shot while seated in the front passenger seat of a police vehicle on sentry duty outside the prison.
Soon after their bid for freedom, Martin was killed by police in a guard booth at the Port-of-Spain General Hospital, while Atwell was shot dead in east Port-of-Spain the following day, by rival gang members, according to police. Selby surrendered to police on July 26 and later charged with escaping lawful custody as well as murdering Maynard.
Since the jailbreak three prison officers have been suspended and authorities have ordered cell phone jammers and scanners at the nation’s prisons. Williams also commented on the investigation into an alleged cover-up of a quantity of marijuana found at the private residence of Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, saying it will be completed at the end of this week.
Then minister of national security and Independent Liberal Party leader, Jack Warner claimed that there was an alleged plot by him and then Deputy Commissioner of Police Mervyn Richardson to conceal the discovery of the marijuana. The drugs were found on April 19, 2013, around 8.50 am by a member of Special Branch in a bathroom of an outdoor gazebo. On June 16, Williams ordered an investigation into the matter.
Williams when asked about the probe said the investigator had questioned most of the people he wanted to question and was looking to wrap up that investigation at the end of the week. Asked what possible charges may arise out of the investigation, Williams said that will be determined at the end of the investigation.
Asked about the investigations into the leaked Special Branch memorandum, Williams said he will not be apprised of that until the matter has been investigated completely. “It may involve discipline and once it involves discipline as the head of the organisation, I cannot get directly involved in it until it reaches me through the legal process” Williams said.