Latest update December 28th, 2024 12:24 AM
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My statements were taken out of context – Top Cop
Acting Police Commissioner Henry Greene is denying that he implied that the late signing of a warrant by Magistrate Yohhannseh Cave may have been a factor in the escape of multiple murder accused Jermaine ‘Skinny’ Charles.
The commissioner was responding to comments made by the magistrate in an article carried by the Stabroek News yesterday.
The magistrate lashed out at the commissioner’s purported comments at a press conference, during which he was reported to have said that had the warrants been signed in a timely manner, the prisoners would have been returned to the Georgetown Prison earlier.
Greene had told the media that he will be seeking an audience with the Chancellor with a view to addressing the matter. He, however, told this newspaper last night that his comments were taken out of context.
According to Greene, he was referring to the late signing of warrants in a general sense, and this should not be construed to mean that Magistrate Yohhannseh Cave, who presides at the Sparendaam Magistrate’s Court, was being targeted.
“I never expressly or impliedly intended that any such thing be said. All I was saying, I was appealing for a speeding up of the warrants. Once these bandits have appeared before the courts, they should have an expeditious signing of warrants,” the commissioner explained.
“It was a general principle I was talking about,” he added.
The magistrate said that he was presented with the warrants to be signed after his return from lunch, shortly after 14:00 hours, which was done immediately.
In addition, Greene said that to his knowledge, Police ranks do not prepare the warrants. This was confirmed by Divisional Commander Leroy Brummel, who told this newspaper that the preparation of the warrants is the duty of clerks at the court.
“I don’t know if it’s a mistake by the press or the magistrate who said that he was waiting on the Police to prepare the warrant. Police do not prepare warrants,” Greene told Kaieteur News.
With regards to the time the warrant was received by the Police, Greene said that from statements given by the Police, the warrants were not received until some time after 15:00 hours.
“I do not like to banter or to trade words with people in the magistracy or any Government agency. We have to work together for justice. We must not be seen to be fighting against each other; we are to fight the elements out there.
All I’m asking, and all I was requesting, is that we have expeditious signing of the warrants, something that may have been overlooked in the past,” the acting commissioner stated.
Meanwhile, several special Police units have been set up to recapture the notorious escapee.
Kaieteur News understands that the team comprises members of the Tactical Services Unit and the Criminal Investigations Department, as well as ranks from the East Coast of Demerara.
Charles made good his escape by reportedly squeezing through a hole in the floor of the Sparendaam Police Station last Tuesday.
Charles is charged for several murders, including those of Minister Satyadeow Sawh and his brother and sister, along with his security guard, as well as five Kaieteur News pressmen.
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