Accused of badly beating inmate who had cell phone
The police inspector who is charged for assaulting an inmate at the Claremont police lock up in St Ann had his bail extended when he appeared in court last Thursday, December 4. Inspector Fitzroy Rhoden who is attached to the Claremont police appeared before resident magistrate Andrea Thomas in the St. Ann’s Bay resident magistrate court. When the matter was called up, the court was told that the inspector is also facing a charge of attempting to pervert the course of justice. According to information in court, the new charge arose from the assault which the inspector allegedly launched on the male inmate. The court was told that following the alleged assault, the inspector reportedly made contact with three other police officers. It is being alleged that the inspector presented, to a female police officer, a statement he fashioned regarding the incident in which the inmate was assaulted. Further allegations are that the inspector allegedly told the female cop that if she was asked to give a statement regarding the incident she should write her statement in a similar fashion as the one he presented to her.
A report was made to the inspector’s superiors about his request and following investigations he was charged.Inspector Rhoden is being represented by attorney at law Valerie Neita Robertson, however she was not present in court on Thursday. She is participating in the Tivoli Commission of Enquiry as one of the lawyers for the police. Oswest Senior Smith held for her. RM Thomas has instructed that the case against the police inspector be placed before another magistrate for hearing. The magistrate explained that the initial report regarding the assault on the inmate was made to her and she gave certain instructions. She said it would be improper for her to hear evidence in the case.
Inspector Rhoden first appeared in the Spanish Town RM Court in St. Catherine on November 27, after he was charged by investigators from the Independent Commission of Investigations (INDECOM). The inspector was offered $150,000 bail and the matter transferred to the St. Ann’s Bay RM court. The inspector is accused of beating a prisoner at the Claremont police lock up. Reports are that the beating was over a cell phone which the inmate reportedly had in his possession and had used to make a call. The policeman’s bail was extended for him to return to court on January 30, 2015 when the case will again be mentioned.
